When Cristelle stepped into her office, one of her colleagues suddenly approached her, “Cristelle, you got a visitor. She’s waiting for you in the receiving room.”
Weird, who could it be? She silently thought as she walked toward the receiving room.
“Ma’am, are you looking for me?” She called the woman’s attention as she emerged into the receiving room, and she didn’t even know who the old woman sitting on the sofa was.
“Miss Friesley, it’s good to see you. I’m an employee of the Bradley house,” the old woman who was Tanya’s maid smiled at Cristelle as she introduced herself, “Mr. Linford’s father, Darwin, is expecting to see you.”
Linford’s father expecting her presence?
Cristelle went a bit suspicious, “Why does he want to see me?”
“You must have known that Cody had a fight at school yesterday. Darwin wants to talk to you,” The nanny stood up, acting as elegant as her employer.
“It was just a fight between kids. How could they take it seriously?” Cristelle didn’t seem to care while blurting out her opinion.
“It’s not just a fight.” The nanny frowned a bit, retelling the story about what had really happened again, “The seniors of two houses have been stirred up. You’re still new to this city, Miss Friesley. You probably don’t know how important the two houses are in the Bradley family. They’ve been close friends for decades. Sir Darwin wants to talk to you in person.”
Cristelle’s fists balled up. She didn’t expect her babies to be bullied like that in school!
“Okay. I’m going with you,” She quickly agreed and followed the old woman.
Cristelle went to the old house 30 minutes later. It was her first time coming to Darwin’s house.
The whole place looked extravagant.
She was led to the study room. Darwin was sitting in his chair, drinking a cup of coffee. He made a gesture as he saw Cristelle, “Please take a seat, Miss Friesley.”
Cristelle sat down, looking at him undauntedly.
Darwin poured her a cup of coffee, “I bet you’ve heard what happened between Cody and Candace.”
“The nanny has told me everything on our way here. What do you want to say to me, Mr. Bradley?” Cristelle asked directly.
Darwin cast a glance at her, “I don’t want to make things too complicated.” Saying that, he pushed the envelope toward Cristelle across the desk, “Here’s 100 million dollars. Take the money and leave the kids. It would be better if you could leave this country soonest. Please don’t come back to this city again.”
A surge of adrenaline rushed to her head, and Cristelle’s eyebrows raised. She knew this would happen sooner or later.
She shut her eyes for a second to calm down. Her voice was steady and cold when she opened her eyes, “I’m sorry. But my babies are priceless, and no amount of money can exchange for their value in my life. So I won’t leave them no matter how much you pay me, Mr. Bradley.”
“Miss Friesley, if you’re a smart woman and as we give you credit for being their Mom. But nobody has told you that the way you educate them will mislead the kids. You don’t belong in our world, and you will never be good enough to be a Bradley wife. We won’t let you marry Linford, either. A mother who lacks noble status would only bring shame to Cody and Candace,” Darwin sounded both arrogant and precise.
The Bradley house was well-known for its nobility status in this country. Cristelle knew her identity would make people look down upon Cody and Candace. But, regardless of her status, they were still her babies, and she won’t let anybody trample her right. She would never abandon her children even though they live the simplest way of life.
“Cody and Candace are the reason that I’m still breathing, Mr. Bradley. I’ll never leave them, no matter what you say. I don’t want to be a Bradley wife, either. I…NEVER…DREAM…TO…BE…. VINCE…WIFE!” She uttered these words in a clear and distinct manner.
“I just want to be with my babies. Take your money back, I don’t need it, and I can raise my children.” She added while trying to suppress her anger.
Cristelle’s heart was beating so fast that she could even hear her own heavy breathing.
She’d seen enough similar cases to know those who were deemed “social climbers” wouldn’t end up well in high society.
The proud and wealthy Bradley house would never accept the daughter of a fallen politician.
But this was a war to keep her babies with her. Cristelle could only stand up and fight for her right, which was torn gradually by these kinds of people.
Darwin reclined in his wide chair, eyes narrowing as he looked at the young woman before her, “Miss Friesley, you should know your limits. Taking the money and leaving will do every party well. Your kids were humiliated at school because of you. Isn’t this your fault? I don’t care how you conceived Linford’s children in your belly. But if you don’t want to leave this city of your own free will, I can always help you to do that.”
“Are you threatening me now, Mr. Bradley?” Cristelle snapped back, staring directly into Darwin’s eyes.
Darwin shook his head, “I don’t really care what you think about me. I’m doing this for Cody and Candace. They can’t live with a mother like you.”
Cristelle’s chest was heaving in anger, “Really? Are you gonna force me out of this city? I’d like to see how you’re gonna do it, Mr. Bradley!” She then stood up and headed to the door.
“Oh, you shall see. Ten days, Miss Friesley, remember my words. You only have ten days left.” Darwin smiled wide, but his face looked grim, “Perhaps ten days to consider the whole thing would be enough, right, Ms. Friesley? Then, ten days later, it doesn’t matter if you like it or not, someone will send you out.” Darwin’s voice came like a huge strike of thunder behind Cristelle’s.
Cristelle swallowed hard, halted her pace, and turned around to Darwin, “What if I refuse to leave?”