Linford’s voice was cold and clear, “Can’t we talk here?”
Mrs. White’s smile was elegant, “I don’t want to say those things in front of everyone. You do grow up, Linford. You wouldn’t turn down my request like this before.”
Linford didn’t have a good feeling, but he still said, “Fine. Let’s go to the study room then.”
Pop knew Mrs. White’s purpose the moment she stepped into the mansion. He just didn’t expect Mrs. White to go directly to Linford. But this was not a bad thing. He didn’t want to be caught in between this time.
Being the mediator was exhausting.
He wondered what Mrs. White wanted to talk to his grandson.
****
Linford and Mrs. White sat face to face on the two sides of the table inside Linford’s study room.
Linford didn’t say anything until the maid placed two cups of coffee before them.
“Why did you decide to help the Barnett family, Ann?” Linford asked directly, “They tried to hurt my daughter. You know me, Ann. I’ll never let anyone escape from their misdeeds.”
Mrs. White smiled, “Trust me, Linford. You don’t need to know this. But… I just didn’t expect Cristelle to be that man’s daughter.”
“And?” Linford’s expression changed, “What’s wrong with that?”
Mrs. White looked at him behind those glasses, her smile as elegant as always, “You probably don’t care about the truth, but other family members of yours won’t like this. You’re the lineal son. You can’t marry the daughter of a criminal. If people get to know the truth, the reputation of your family will be ruined.”
“I don’t really care. It’s just a name,” Linford shrugged.
Mrs. White had expected this answer from him. She shook her head and continued, “You can’t throw away the legacy of your family. I’ve never brought this up to your Pop. I hope you can rethink your decision. Cristelle will never be able to stay in this city if people get to know where she’s coming from.”
“You don’t need to threaten me. I’ll go wherever she goes. I don’t care about those family issues anyway. The only thing I care about is my business,” Linford never yielded, “If you want me to let those people go, no, it will never happen. I’ll make them pay, sooner or later!”
Mrs. White stood up from her chair, “What if… I gave her information or her sister’s information to those people who’d tried to search for them?”
Linford’s face went dark, sitting straighter in his chair, “What do you mean?”
“You know what I’m talking about very well, Linford,” Mrs. White’s face was impassive, “Her sister has been hiding a secret. I know she somehow managed to hook up with that Watson doctor, but she will still die if the secret is exposed. You know very well that the Watson family is not powerful enough to protect her. Just think about it. Do you want to grab this opportunity or not?”
With that, Mrs. White walked out of the room elegantly.
Diego and his Mom had been waiting for Mrs. White.
Mrs. White didn’t even want to waste extra breath with them, “It’s been done. Let’s go back.”
“Of course… Of course.” Mrs. Barnett smiled triumphantly.
****
Mrs. White said she needed to go back the minute she left the study. Pop noticed her face was a bit pale. So he tried to be polite, “Are you sure? Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
Mrs. White smiled, “Thanks, Franco. But I don’t think I’m welcome.”
Franco only played dumb, “I don’t even know why did you say that. But if you insist on going, I guess I also have no reason to keep you any longer.”
Mrs. White smiled dryly and walked out of the door.
Diego and his mother followed respectfully.
Linford knew what would happen if Cristelle’s real identity was exposed. He didn’t care how other people would see them as a couple.
He only cared about Cristelle’s safety.
Mrs. White seldom got herself into other people’s business. Linford couldn’t understand why she decided to help the Barnett family. Did she owe them something? Or do they just know some secrets about Mrs. White that she didn’t want other people to know? Linford couldn’t wrap his head around the whole thing.
Six years ago, he had met Cristelle at one of those Barnett Hotels. But why did he decide to visit the Barnett back then?
Had the Barnett also been a part of his plan?
Linford’s head was buzzing with all sorts of questions.
A knock on the door made him look up. Linford took a deep breath and stood up from his chair, going to hold the door open. Cristelle was standing outside, “Did Mrs. White leave?”
“Yes,” Linford took a step back so Cristelle could walk in.
“Did she come here to plead mercy for Pamela?” Cristelle asked.
Linford nodded, “Sort of.” He went back to his desk and poured them some coffee, “Don’t worry about it, Cristelle. I’ll take care of this.”
Linford kept a straight face. He was just as always. His real thoughts never showed up on his face easily.
“What did she say?” Cristelle took the cup of coffee from his hands.
Linford looked at the beautiful woman before him, and he was suddenly lost for words.
If he told her the truth, would she be sad? But if he didn’t tell her, she would definitely misinterpret him again.
“Cristelle… I just decided to let Pamela go this time,” Linford dropped his gaze.
“What?!” Cristelle’s face changed, her voice harsh and cold, “Why?!”
“Listen,” Linford looked her in the eyes, “I can’t leave without you.”
Cristelle already went a bit pissed off at this point, “I don’t want to hear this, Linford! That woman hurt our daughter. I want to know why you suddenly decided to let it slide!”
Linford repeated what Mrs. White had told him a couple of minutes ago, “I sent someone to conceal your real identity to protect you. Or those people would have found you a long time ago. Your sister has been followed. If her whereabouts were exposed, she would probably get killed. And… I admit I’m selfish. I actually don’t want your identity to be found by Pop. I don’t want to lose you again.”