Pamela wanted to step on Cristelle and make her suffer forever.
The performance ended soon, and a boom of clapping erupted among the crowd. Candace was so excited that her little hands went red from clapping.
Jasper walked forth. He wanted to say something to Cristelle. Linford, however, hastened to hold Cristelle’s tiny waist and took her off the stage directly.
Things got a bit awkward in a second for Cristelle.
Mommy was amazing! Candace was so happy for her Mom.
When Cristelle returned to her seat, Candace just jumped on her lap and hugged her neck. Her Mom’s performance was perfect. She also wanted to learn piano soon.
Linford smiled as he pulled back the little girl into his arms, “If you want to learn this, Candace, I’ll find a teacher for you tomorrow.”
Candace nodded eagerly, leaving a quick kiss on his Dad’s cheek.
Cristelle felt both guilty and heartbroken. She didn’t have the money to hire a piano teacher for Candace before. She didn’t know her daughter would be so interested in playing the piano.
Now that she had the money. She would fulfill Candace’s every wish.
“Miss Cristelle, you’re amazing! And you looked beautiful on the stage,” Amy smiled after uttering her sincere praise at Cristelle sweetly. And she sounded so happy, like her best friend, Candace. She decided to be more focused when she is having her piano lessons from now on.
Thomas came forward, smiling at Linford, “I think your playing was also amazing, Mr. Bradley.”
Cody pouted, “I think Mom’s the best.”
Fritzi and Yanni laughed together at Cody’s childish gesture. Cody, being biased against his father, never fails to make them happy. Finally, someone would dare to go against Linford.
“Is this your perfect plan?” Clara clenched her teeth as she faced Zoe. Cristelle and Linford looked perfect for each other on the stage, and that made Clara so pissed off. Linford has never treated any women like that. That Cristelle was just a peasant coming from a small town. She didn’t even deserve Linford’s love.
Zoe was also confused, “I investigated that woman before. She’s just a nobody coming from a small village. I don’t even know if she can play piano. I really have no clue that she….”
Clara was still glaring at her. “Shut up, will you?”
Zoe started to apologize instantly, “Don’t be mad at me, Clara. I won’t do this again. I promise.”
“Zip your mouth now! You’re making me angrier!” Clara bellowed.
Zoe instantly shuts her mouth, not daring to speak another word.
She realized they’d become an entire joke after Linford and Cristelle surprised everyone with their onstage performance.
After the auction, the ball was held. People stood up from their seats and went to the other side of the hall. It was another part of the auction tradition.
Cristelle didn’t want to join the ball. The babies needed to sleep by now. However, Candace seemed to be so enthusiastic about joining the ball. She really wanted to go as her eyes were amazed seeing those beautiful lights on the other where the ball was held.
Cody shook his head, “Candace, that kind of ball is for adults. It’s not good for you to go there. Let’s hurry home, and it’s getting late.”
Candace raised her tiny face, looking at her father. Her long lashes blinked like a cute rabbit looking for an ally. Linford went soft instantly. He picked his little girl up, striding toward the dancing hall, “It’s okay. Daddy will take you there.”
Cody was so pissed off, “Mom, did you see what he’s doing? He’s gonna spoil Candace all the way.”
Fritzi picked the boy up in her arms, ignoring his protest, “Forget about them. Would you dance with me, handsome?”
Cody stretched a pair of arms at Cristelle, asking for help. But Fritzi had taken him away. Cristelle shook her head.
Yanni laughed as his eyes followed them, “It’s okay. Fritzi will take care of him. Let’s go have a dance as well.”
Cristelle cast a look at Amy and Thomas, “I don’t think so. I need to bring the babies to their parents. You go first, Yanni. By the way, tell Mr. Bradley to return home as early as possible. The babies still need sleep.”
“No problem,” Yanni waved his hand.
“Cristelle, I’ll take the babies to their parents,” Alfred stopped her before she could leave, “You go find Mr. Bradley. Candace will need you.”
Cristelle looked slightly pissed off, “She won’t remember me when her dad’s around.”
She was a bit envious right now as obviously Candace was enchanted by his father’s pampering.
“Mom!” Amy and Thomas finally saw their Mom coming to them.
“Thanks for taking care of my children,” Amy’s Mom had a baby face, and she looked like a very kind person, “I haven’t even thanked you for last time.”
Cristelle smiled back, “Please don’t say that. I’m the one who needs to thank you. Your babies are so brave, and they’re so sweet.”
Amy and Thomas’ Mom stared at Cristelle for a second and acted as if she just realized something, “Oh, I know why you look so familiar to me right now. When you played piano on the stage, there was this lady who looked like you so much standing next to me. She said you played so well, and she even cried a little when she listened to your performance.”
The smile on Cristelle’s face disappeared, “A lady looked like me? What? Did she tell you her name?”
The young woman before her thought for a while, “Yes, I think she did… Is it Selena? Or Laura? I don’t really remember as your performance so drowned me.”
Selena…
It was Claire! Selena was her fake name!
“Where’s she?” Cristelle started to tremble, “Is… Is she okay? Did she look okay? Where’s she?”
Amy’s Mom seemed startled as she saw Cristelle’s reaction, “She just left. Are you okay, Ms. Friesley?”
Without any hesitation, Cristelle instantly ran out of the hall, hugging the long hem of her dress.
There were countless fancy cars outside of the hotel. Cristelle couldn’t figure out where to go. She just ran along the driveway like a crazy woman. A black car suddenly flashed by. She looked up and saw Claire’s face behind the window.
Their eyes crossed at the fleeting moment.