“What if Johnson comes to see you again?” Linford narrowed his eyes.
“I still won’t leave,” Cristelle was pretty sincere.
“What if he asked you to bring Candace out to see him?” Linford kept asking.
Cristelle frowned, “Of course, I won’t do it. Why are you even asking such questions?”
“Nothing,” Linford smiled, shaking his head. He just happened to know that piece of shit too well. He would lie if he could prevent Cristelle from doing that after giving her freedom.
“Can I go see Candace now?” Cristelle asked eagerly.
“I still need to make up my mind a bit, Cristelle. It actually totally depends on your performance,” Linford said flatly, “Now, empty your plate, and I’ll consider it.”
Cristelle cursed under her breath before taking the plate of pasta and stuffing a forkful inside her mouth.
Linford lowered his gaze to hide his smile.
After being locked up for a day, Cristelle gradually started to get Linford’s real purpose for locking her up here.
This man was trying to protect her. He had never explained it to her, probably because he was still mad at her. To be honest, if Cristelle was in his shoes, she would also get mad. The safety of the babies was no joke. Cristelle also wouldn’t hesitate to do anything to ensure Candace’s safety.
After eating all the pasta, Cristelle put down the plate on the table, “Did you guys catch the attacker? Did he say anything at all?”
“He’s still in a coma, but the doctor said he would wake up this afternoon. We’ll find out who sent him soon,” Linford said coldly.
“We must find out who did it, Linford,” Cristelle looked determined, “Or those people will hurt the babies again.”
“I’ll definitely find them and make them pay for what they did,” Linford narrowed his eyes. And then, he stood up from his chair, “I really need to go now. Candace’s still in the hospital alone. Cristelle, still, if you act good, I’ll let you see Candace soon.”
Cristelle nodded, knowing she couldn’t ask too much from Linford since she had made a mistake.
Linford cast her a look before walking out of the room.
“Wait!” Cristelle called urgently.
“Yes?” Linford looked over his shoulder.
“Could you at least give my phone back? I know I can’t go take care of her right now, but at least let me FaceTime her a bit.” Cristelle looked at him sadly.
Linford smiled and gave her phone back.
Cristelle let out a long breath, “Thank you.”
Linford gently nodded, “You’re welcome.”
****
When Linford went back to Candace’s ward, the girl was gesturing at the screen of her phone. Cristelle was pretty fast.
“Linford, you’re back! Why didn’t you bring Cristelle with you?” Mrs. Weston asked.
“She’s pretty busy right now,” Linford said randomly.
Candace looked up and waved her phone at Linford, explaining that she was on FaceTime with her mom right now.
Linford ruffled her hair, “Okay, sweetie. Mommy’s gonna be back in a few days. You will see her soon.”
Candace nodded happily.
Peter came at 1 pm, telling Linford the attacker had woken up.
Linford put the files on the desk and cast a look at his sleeping daughter. Lily instantly understood him, “Just take care of your business, Linford. I’ll keep your daughter safe.”
Linford gave a soft smile and left the room.
****
The attacker who tried to break Candace’s leg was lying in bed. He went frozen as Linford stepped inside his ward. He looked like he wanted to kill someone.
The attacker was called Conner. He was a normal doctor working in this hospital. No one had expected him to do something horrible so sudden.
“Who sent you here?” Linford sat beside his bed, cold eyes staring into his face, “How much did that person pay you?”
“It’s… It’s the Barnett House. They wanted me to break your daughter’s leg. They said they would give my daughter the best education abroad after fulfilling the task.”
Before Linford came, Peter had explained the paths Conner could take. Conner was thus extremely cooperative right now.
Linford cast a glance at Peter. This man was pretty useful.
Peter nodded, “What he said actually matches what we’ve found out. Alfred has sent some men to investigate the whole thing. We will know the truth very soon.”
“I’m telling the truth. My daughter is a great student, but someone took her chance to study abroad this year. I know I’m quite useless. My daughter is my only hope now. I just want her to live a better life.” Conner even shed some tears as he spilled those words.
Linford had understood the whole thing, huffing, “So you’re also a father? Then how did you manage to make up your mind and hurt another man’s daughter? Did Candace do anything to harm you? Or you’re simply feeling imbalanced and jealous because my daughter has a brighter future?”
Conner dropped his gaze, not daring to look into Linford’s eyes. Linford couldn’t feel any sympathy for this man even though he was also a father.
Alfred came into the ward the next minute, “Mr. Bradley, we’ve found out that what Conner said is true. He doesn’t have much money, but he sent his only daughter to a private school. The girl is an excellent student, and she has passed the scholarship program at a prestigious university abroad. But for some reason, her scholarship disappeared without any valid reason. I think someone had influenced the university to halt the scholarship grant.”
Linford had expected this kind of drama, “Really? Who denied her scholarship grant?”
Alfred shook his head, “I think it’s someone from the Barnett House.”
Conner’s mouth dropped open, “No! It’s impossible!”
“It’s true,” Alfred cast him a sympathetic look, “It has been their trick from the beginning. They ruined your daughter’s future, and you’re still working for them.”
“Impossible! It’s impossible!” Conner yelled like a madman, “How could they do this to me?!”
“Simple, you’re easy to be persuaded as they know your weakness. They stand a bigger chance if they use you against me,” Linford cut him off, his eyes filled with contempt, “You think your daughter can get that scholarship grant if you break my daughter’s leg? For them, you’re just a tool, Conner. They didn’t care about your well-being at this time.”