“We know how to handle our issue. You should take care of yours,” Linford didn’t even bother to be polite in front of her.
So, this man didn’t forget to defend Mom. Cody thought to himself. He’d better protect Mom like this all the time.
Thinking of that, Cody looked up into Cristelle’s eyes and asked, looking innocent, “Mom, they said they’re my great-grandpa and grandpa. Is that true?”
Cristelle stroked her boy’s hair, smiling. “Of course. They’re your and Candace’s family.”
Franco liked the young woman before him. She never hurried to make the babies recognize their family members. She showed no sign of sucking up to anyone so she could get the money. She looked like a well-educated young lady.
Linford was also happy to know that his grandpa likes Cristelle. He reached out a hand, enclosing Cristelle’s smaller hand. He felt sorry for letting this happen. He knew Cristelle must’ve been so worried.
For the first time ever, Cristelle didn’t pull away, knowing they should continue acting as long as the seniors of the Bradley house presented.
Clara’s eyes fell on their interlaced hands. She would have burnt a hole into their hands if her eyes could shoot laser beams.
Why?
Why could this woman give Linford that look in public? Why did she have to contain her love for Linford all the time?
“Oh… So they’re truly my family? There were so many people who tried to capture Candace and me this afternoon, Mommy. I thought they were kidnappers.” Cody said that purposely.
Darwin went red, lifting his coffee cup to shield the embarrassment on his face.
Cristelle explained to the boy patiently, “It’s because your grandpa wanted to see you and your sister too much. And that’s why Mom and Dad are also here.”
Linford said quietly, “It’s my fault. I should’ve brought you guys back earlier.”
Darwin looked less embarrassed hearing Linford saying comforting words.
Cody blew his cheeks, “I’m glad you know. Candace and I were so scared.”
Jack’s lips twitched. Cody hadn’t been acting scared on his way to the main house.
Linford laughed as he knocked on the boy’s head with a knuckle, “I’m really sorry. Are you happy now? You just have to force an apology out of your old man.”
Cody covered his head and stuck his tongue out.
Franco laughed, “Don’t hit my great-grandson, Linford. Boy, come here.”
Cody looked up at Cristelle.
Cristelle cooed, “Go, your great-grandpa wants to see you.”
Cody jumped off Cristelle’s lap, hesitating as he looked at the old man’s outstretched arms, “Are you sure you want to hold me, Grandpa? I’m pretty heavy.”
He looked so old. Cody didn’t want him to sprain his shoulders. Besides, these people had almost kidnapped him here. To be honest, he didn’t want to be held by any of them.
Franco looked pretty serious as he sat straighter, “What are you talking about, boy? Your Great Grandpa used to be a General in WW2.”
“Oh…” Cody’s mouth dropped open, letting the old man lift him onto his lap.
“You’re quite strong, boy,” Franco pinched his little arms, smiling proudly.
“Yeah, I run every day in school. I want to grow taller.”
“Really?” Franco smiled so widely that the corners of his eyes crinkled, “That’s my boy. Remember, a real man must toughen himself up and defend his country.”
“Touché, touché,” The boy nodded with a serious face. He always admired real soldiers, “Grandpa, you just said you led the war before? I also played war games once. I got pretty good scores.”
“Really?” Franco looked impressed, “Who played it with you then?”
Cody took a pause, feeling a bit uneasy, as he pointed at Linford, “Him.”
He still refused to call Linford “dad.”
Everyone in the room could tell that Cody wasn’t particularly fond of his dad. Franco didn’t care. He knew the problem would be solved sooner or later.
Darwin kept a straight face but he was secretly happy. Linford had never been close to him. And now Linford’s own son refused to call him dad.
Karma is a bitch! Darwin took a sip from his cup of coffee, feeling deeply satisfied.
Clara’s eyes narrowed, suddenly having another idea.
Cristelle only smiled awkwardly. The boy didn’t like Linford. There was nothing she could do.
“How’s Linford’s game?” Franco kept asking.
Cody admitted reluctantly, sighing, “He’s not bad.”
Why was it so painful for the boy to admit that Linford was good? Franco and Darwin both laughed.
Darwin was smiling ear to ear, “Your dad hasn’t touched that sort of thing for about ten years. He took you there because he spoiled you.”
Cody pouted, looking away.
The boy just acted too much like his dad, reminding Darwin of when Linford was little. He also wanted to hold the boy a little. But he knew he couldn’t take the boy from Franco. So he stretched his arms at Candace, “Candace, come here.”
Candace was having cookies when she heard that. She put the cookie down, giving her mom a puzzled look.
Linford didn’t want her daughter to get into the dramas of the adults, so he urged her, “Go. Let Grandpa hold you a bit.”
Candace nodded and pulled out a small handkerchief from her pocket, wiping her little hands like a little lady before climbing off her dad’s lap and walking toward her grandpa.
Darwin bent down a bit and lifted the girl onto his lap, ordering the servant, “Get that plate of desserts for me, please.” The servant served the plate.
Darwin picked a piece of dry fruit from it, giving it to the girl, “Here, honey, have a taste.”
Candace took the dessert, thought for a while, and held it to Darwin’s mouth, letting him take the first bite.
A warm smile broke Darwin’s face, “Thank you, Candace.”
The atmosphere in the room became warm because of the babies.
Linford and Cristelle both felt so relieved. This was good. Candace didn’t appear to be scared anymore. It was probably because Cristelle’s presence finally made her less nervous.
Candace could be quite alert sometimes. But once she didn’t detect any ill intentions from the people approaching her, she would instantly let her guard down. Linford was worried about it because that would expose her to dangers more easily.