Zoe was terrified by the look on Linford’s face.
“No! Mr. Bradley, I didn’t… I just….”
“You just what? You did say that! All the people here heard what you said!” Cody wouldn’t let it slide. He wouldn’t let some woman bully his Mom without paying any price.
Linford arched an eyebrow, “Go back and tell the head of your family that all the investments from my company shall withdraw by tomorrow. All the cooperation between the two families will be halted. As for you, you publicly traumatized my son and my daughter. I’ll sue you until they throw you in jail. You are not coming out until you truly regret what you have done. Linford looked down at her as he said that.
What he just said basically sentenced the Wayne business to death. An unspeakable horror took over Zoe. Her knees buckled as she lurched forward. The guards caught her in time, so she didn’t fall against the cold floor and hit her face. Limp and terrified, the guards carried Zoe out of the mall under everyone’s eyes.
Cristelle felt a bit complicated. She didn’t feel very comfortable about what Linford had just said about her.
Cody also saw through Linford’s trick. This man had said those things to mislead people and make them think that his Mom was actually his. But his Mom didn’t even like him.
“We should leave now.” Linford went to Cristelle, and his voice was gentle and low.
Those on-lookers hadn’t gone away. They all heard what Linford said. They looked like they were marveling at how gentle he was with Cristelle. Cristelle couldn’t explain why but she suddenly became a bit flustered. She turned away, walking down the hall. Before they could walk out of here, however, a soft female voice suddenly whined behind their backs.
“Linford, wait.”
Clara had been watching the drama, hiding in the corner. She couldn’t hide anymore when she found out Zoe was in trouble. She didn’t want to save Zoe, but if the Wayne house were in trouble, those people would definitely come to blame everything on her.
“Why are you here?” Linford frowned, looking impatient.
Cody never liked this woman. She might appear gentle and soft before others, but she tended to sabotage people using unobvious ways. She was the most dangerous kind.
Candace had been scared of her since the last time Clara forced her to speak in front of everyone. Cristelle frowned slightly as she saw Clara’s face.
When did she come here? Or had she been here the whole time?
“Err…. I just came here and happened to see you guys here. I accidentally heard what happened earlier. I know Zoe personally. She’s a great person. She probably didn’t even mean to say that. Could you please forgive her?” Clara pleaded as if she really cared about her friend.
Linford didn’t even want to spare her an extra look for her, “You said you just came here? How could it be so coincidental?”
Clara went pale, knowing Linford started to get suspicious. She changed the topic immediately, “Linford, just listen to me. Just let it slide. Zoe is just a girl. She doesn’t know anything about Cristelle. That’s why she said such things. Besides, our houses have been quite close… You can’t do that to their business.”
Saying that, she went to Cristelle, smiling, “Cristelle, we’ve only met once, but I could tell you’re a smart girl with a heart of gold. What happened today was generated from a misunderstanding. The two houses have been friends for a really long time. I bet you also don’t want to make things awkward, do you?”
She was forcing Cristelle to make Linford change his idea.
Clara was such a manipulator.
Cristelle only wanted to laugh coldly. How could this Clara be such a snake?
Linford saw through Clara’s trick immediately. He took a step forward and made Cristelle hide behind him, “My woman doesn’t need to balance things. She just needs to be taken care of by me. Suppose you want to busy yourself with that stupid stuff, fine. Just don’t use it to bother her,” Linford’s eyes were filled with contempt as he looked at the woman before him, “I’ve made up my mind, and those decisions won’t be changed. Don’t you ever try to bother my family or me again?” Saying that, he pulled his wife’s hand and babies out of this place, leaving Clara behind.
Clara couldn’t stop shaking. How could he treat that whore so well? She didn’t even deserve his love! Clara felt her whole body burning with jealousy.
One day, she told herself, she would destroy that woman!
****
Cody was still angry after getting in the car. That woman was so shameless! How could she say those things to his Mom?
Cristelle didn’t say anything as she put her son on the seat. She didn’t expect Linford to say those things.
Now, she didn’t even know what to feel. Should she be thrilled? Or should she be sad? She was unsure.
She and her babies had been the real victims. But people only thought she was a gold-digger who used her babies for social climbing.
She didn’t even know how to respond to that.
“I’m sorry,” Linford apologized with a gentle voice.
Cristelle shook her head, still not wanting to say anything.
She knew things must also not be easy for Linford.
Diego’s mother was the one who framed the two of them. She wouldn’t blame Linford for this. Even though she still felt weird whenever she saw Linford.
Candace noticed the look on her Mommy’s face. So she stretched her arms to let Cristelle hold her. Cristelle sighed and held her baby girl in her arms.
“Mr. Bradley, can I ask you a question?” Cody suddenly asked, sounding angry.
“Yes?” Linford arched an eyebrow.
“Why do you have so many women?”
“Wh-I only have your Mom. She’s the only one!”
Cristelle almost choked on air.
“Can you stop lying? That woman came to harass Mom. It’s all your fault!”
Linford thought for a short while. Was this why that Wayne girl came to see trouble?