Cristelle also had a headache at the moment. Why did Candace tend to get so close to every Bradley? She thought the girl was a bit scared.
Was it because she was here now?
Cristelle couldn’t fathom why. Tanya and Clara just got even madder. Tanya asked as if she was just being nice, “Cristelle, you’re not a local girl, right? What was your previous job at home?”
These people must have investigated her. Cristelle didn’t know why she was asking. Probably she just wanted to make it appear ugly.
So she smiled, “I was just a normal employee back then.”
“What were you doing exactly?” Clara asked on purpose, trying to bring out an embarrassing answer for everyone to hear.
Linford’s face changed, “Why do you care, Clara? Are you trying to pry on her privacy? Or you’re interested in similar jobs?”
Clara went pale, “I didn’t mean to.”
“The coffee is good. You should drink more,” Linford snapped at her.
Clara bit on her bottom lip, her face blushing as she shot Cristelle a resentful look.
Cristelle didn’t care. She had prepared herself for the meeting here. She knew she would be asked. She just didn’t expect Linford to be so protective. Everyone in the Bradley house knew Linford’s temper. He hadn’t gotten along with his dad, but he brought the babies back anyway. It could already be considered progress. Darwin didn’t ask Cristelle anything because he could get whatever information he needed by sending investigators. Clara, however, had been asking stupid questions again and again. It almost felt like she was deliberately sabotaging the warm atmosphere in the house.
Franco had already started to get a bit mad with his great-granddaughter-in-law.
It was getting late outside. Jack came to the living hall, “Sir, the dinner is ready. Do you want the servants to serve it now?”
“Of course,” Darwin quickly answered, glad about the timing to change the topic. Jack led the way.
The Bradley members went into the dining hall.
Franco insisted that the boy should sit beside him. Darwin thus put Candace on the chair next to him.
Linford held the chair next to his for Cristelle.
Cristelle sat down, murmuring her thanks. Jack poured Franco a cup of wine, “Sir, I know you’re happy today. But please be careful with the cups you drink. The doctor says you can’t drink too much.”
Franco didn’t even treat Jack’s words seriously, “I don’t care, Jack. I just saw my great-grandchildren today, and you told me to drink less. I won’t drink less. I will drink the whole bottle! Guys, raise your glass for the reunion. I’ve never been happier in my life to see my beautiful great-grandchildren and their brave mother! This toast is for you, Cristelle. Thank you for bringing our angels back.”
Cristelle raised her glass, smiling at the old man, “Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t call me ‘sir’, silly,” the kind old man smiled, “You should call me grandpa like Linford does.”
This was basically an official approval for Cristelle to be Mrs. Bradley.
Clara sneaked a glance at Tanya. Tanya instantly said, “Father, it’s still too early to talk about things like this. We should eat.”
Tanya didn’t want to approve of Cristelle’s joining the family. It shouldn’t be that easy.
Cristelle didn’t say anything.
Franco wanted to add something, but Darwin stopped him, “Dad, have some food first. I heard they changed the chef?”
This Cristelle might look innocent outside.
But Darwin hadn’t figured out her family history yet. He wouldn’t give her the approval so quickly unless he had made everything clear.
Linford’s face fell as he took Cristelle’s glass.
“Cristelle’s not a heavy drinker. I’m making this toast for her. She’ll forever be my children’s mom and my soulmate.”
This was an act of announcing Cristelle’s position in this family.
Cristelle nodded at him, smiling. But she knew she shouldn’t take this too seriously.
She was not gonna be Mrs. Linford Bradley anyway.
This was just acting.
Franco felt a bit disappointed that Darwin was still suspicious. But he liked how Linford protected his wife.
Tanya and Clara let out a breath of relief together. But they still felt Cristelle had somehow won this round.
Clara only got even more resentful.
Cristelle had been lucky enough to survive the last time. The next time, things wouldn’t be that easy!
Cody could detect the fishiness in the air. But he didn’t say anything.
The dinner went well after the small skit. Darwin cut Candace’s food for her, feeding her small pieces carefully.
Clara chuckled, “Darwin, you spoil Candace. Candace, look how much Grandpa adores you. You should call him ‘Grandpa’ and make him happy. Come on, Candace, say it, ‘Grandpa’.”
She was seeking trouble again.
Candace went nervous instantly. She looked up at the old man who was feeding her, opening her mouth soundlessly. But she couldn’t make any sound. She looked in her Dad and Mom’s direction instantly, feeling both embarrassed and scared.
Cristelle’s fingers curled around her fork. The look on Candace’s face broke her heart.
Linford slammed his knife against the table, “Clara, what is this? Candace doesn’t even call me ‘Dad’. Are you trying to make this dinner difficult for a little girl?”
Clara was determined to embarrass Cristelle and her little bastards. She put on an innocent face as she stared at Linford, “Why doesn’t she call you ‘dad’, Linford? Have you never taught her to do that? She hasn’t talked much since she walked into the house. I thought she was incapable of talking. She’s such a beautiful little girl. It would be a pity that she couldn’t talk.”
Linford took a sip from his wine, his voice cold and deep, “Why can’t you mind your own business, Clara? My daughter can do whatever she wants to do. If you cared about random little kids so much, you wouldn’t have lost that one in your belly years ago.”
Clara went pale at Linford’s words, stuttering, “I… I didn’t mean to.”
“Clara, just shut up for a while. Candace is such a sweet little girl. Why do you have to mention that in her face again and again? What are you trying to do?” Darwin also got a bit pissed off.