Jack approached Linford, “Sir, your father demanded to see the children. In fact, not only your father… your grandpa also wanted to see your babies.”
Linford sat before his desk and started working, “The babies are still young. They don’t like strangers. I’ll try to bring them back when they’re ready. Besides, I’ve been quite busy lately.”
The Bradley house was a mess. He had never thought about taking the babies back. Cody and Candace were doing great. He didn’t want to throw them into a snake pit. Those people were cunning.
Clara hurried to say, “But they are Bradley’s. You can’t let them stay outside of the family. There will be rumors starting to spread recently.”
She could only handle those little bastards if they were under her watch.
Linford’s face fell, “They are my children. I’d like to see who dares to make any harsh comments about that. I know why you guys are here today. Go back and tell my father that I know what to do with my own business. I’ll bring them back if I see fit. Now, you both should leave.”
He clearly didn’t want to waste his tongue anymore. However, Clara still wanted to argue further.
She didn’t know why she refused to leave, but she hadn’t seen his face for a while, and she missed him so much. After getting to know that he had had children, she couldn’t fall asleep lately. She had wished he could tell her it was a lie, but he had just admitted it was true.
Those kids were truly his.
She didn’t know if she could take it anymore, even though she had tried her best to veil her sadness.
Jack knew the Bradley boys too well. The first son was the serious one, seldom smiling. The second son was hard-working. Linford was the youngest, and he had been a rebellious child growing up. Now, he just became even more stubborn than before after his mother’s death.
Jack sighed, knowing nothing would change Linford’s mind, “Guess we have to go now. Please tell us whenever you’re ready to bring back the children, Mr. Bradley. Your parents will be thrilled to see them.”
Darwin told him to warn Linford. But Jack didn’t dare to do that.
Linford smiled, “Sure.”
“Linford… Actually…” Clara still wanted to say something, but Linford cut her off before she could finish her words.
“Alfred, walk them to the main lobby,” Linford’s voice sounded impatient.
Alfred showed up instantly, “Mrs. Bradley, you probably should go now. My boss has a lot of things to do.”
Clara cast one last sorrowful glance at Linford, but he didn’t even bother to look up. She could only leave his office with Jack.
As soon as they left, Linford put down the file, “Send more people to protect Cristelle and the babies. I don’t want them to be harassed by anyone.”
“Noted, sir,” Alfred answered respectfully.
The assistant hesitated for a while, “Sir, are you sure you won’t bring the babies back? I know you probably don’t want to see your father. But your grandfather will be so happy if he gets to see Cody and Candace. He longed to see kids at the Bradley house.
Linford dropped his gaze, “Alfred, you’re talking too much today.”
Alfred sighed and left the room.
Linford didn’t hold a grudge against anyone. However, he didn’t want to return to the Bradley mansion as he didn’t feel it was necessary. The people he truly cared about were not in the house anymore but his new family.
The babies needed to go to school on Monday. Holding their little hands, Cristelle sent them to school. When the kids entered the school gate, Linford’s deep voice sounded behind her, “Get in the car.”
Cristelle flattened her shirt and got in. She had no excuse not to go to work today. Linford was going to the company anyway. He could give her a lift.
When they got to the gate of the building, they got out of the car together and went to the top stairs.
Cristelle instantly became the center of attention as she showed up with the boss.
She heard people talking about her on her way to the design department.
“That Cristelle… she’s so smart. She gave Mr. Bradley two babies without telling anyone.”
“She could have as many babies as she wants, but the Bradley house is the most powerful family in this city. I don’t think they will accept her. They will probably compensate her, and the money would be enough for her to live the rest of her life luxuriously.”
“I told you she’s a calculating woman. No wonder she won the design contest last time. Who would expect her to have connections like that?”
Cristelle was so pissed off hearing those people. What connections? She won the competition because she was talented enough.
She deliberately navigated through the group of gossiping people, and her chin was high. Those people went a bit panicked. But they soon gathered when Cristelle walked away, and their judgmental eyes fell into her back.
Cristelle took a deep breath and entered her office. Micky and Donny were clearly talking about her because they parted the minute she stepped into the office.
Cristelle pretended she didn’t see anything as she walked toward Fritzi.
“Geez… Cristelle… You’re finally here for work. I was going mad. Come to my desk, I want to discuss our summer designs with you.” Fritzi treated her as if nothing had ever happened.
Micky and Donny exchanged a contemptuous look. Cristelle pretended she didn’t see that.
She put her purse on her desk and walked toward Fritzi. They started to study the possible trends for this summer together. Cristelle was quite focused when she immersed herself in her job. She used the draft on the desk to illustrate her ideas.
Fritzi was amazed because Cristelle appeared to be self-composed among all the rumors in the company. Nevertheless, she couldn’t help exclaiming. “You’re the best, Cristelle. Those losers can’t even bring you down.”
Cristelle arranged the files on the desk, smiling, “Those designs are collective outcomings. I can’t take all the credit. You also put her effort into them, Fritzi.”