Linford called Frank. He knew he was now desperately needing that man’s help now.
Frank was reading a report when he accepted Linford’s phone. The doctor was a bit surprised, “Linford? What can I help you with?”
“A small favor,” Linford said politely. “Have you had any free time recently?”
“Well, I just have to have free time since you’re calling me right now. You know I’ll do anything for you, my friend,” Frank took a pause, “Is this a favor for your girlfriend?”
“Wife,” Linford corrected, “This problem is a bit tricky. I don’t trust anyone except you. I hope you can come back as soon as possible.”
Frank nodded, knowing Linford wouldn’t ask anyone a favor except when he needed to protect the one he truly cared about, “Of course. No problem. I’m booking my flight ticket back home now.” Frank’s assistant cast him a nervous look after he hung up the phone, “Are you going back home, Boss?”
Frank continued reading his reports, “Yep. Book two flight tickets. We will leave tomorrow.”
The assistant asked, “So soon? Why so hurry?”
Frank kept a straight face, “Big house scandals. Interested?”
The assistant smiled goofily, “Nope.”
“It’s about the Bradley’s House new bride. Are you sure you’re not interested?” Frank teased.
The bride of the Bradley House? Cristelle? Claire’s eyes lit up. But she didn’t let her concern appear.
Going back with Frank was probably her only chance to get to see Cristelle. She hadn’t seen her little sister for such a long time.
Frank noticed the look on his assistant’s beautiful face. But he only smirked to himself as he returned to read his papers again.
****
Linford went to pick the babies up from school that afternoon. Candace and Cody walked out of the gate, holding their hands anxiously.
“Dad, is Mom back?” Candace asked.
“Not yet, sweetie,” Linford picked the girl up.
“Still?” Candace lowered her head, “When will she come back then?”
“She’ll be back soon, princess. You don’t need to worry,” Linford tried to comfort his daughter.
“Okay. Where are we going now? Pop’s?” Candace queried.
“Yeah. We probably still need to stay in Pop’s place tonight.”
Cody got in the car and put his safety belt on. “Did you get any information yet?”
“Not yet,” Linford said, “Don’t worry. Enzo will definitely tell us once he gets any information.” Linford knew it would always work when he used Enzo’s name.
Just as he expected, the boy nodded, “Fine.”
They went back to Franco’s mansion soon. Franco was calling someone in the garden. The old man hung up the phone instantly the minute he saw his grandchildren, “Cody! Candace!”
Candace ran over to the old man. Pop picked the girl up.
“Pop! I missed you. Dad just went to pick us up from school. Why are your eyes so red?”
Franco was not as strong as before. He didn’t get much sleep for days after what happened. But he only smiled, “I stayed up late watching television last night. That’s why my eyes are red.”
Candace frowned, “Pop, you can’t stay up late, okay? You can only be full of energy if you go to bed earlier. I usually fall asleep by 10. So I can be full of energy the next day. You also shouldn’t stay up late, okay?”
Pop smiled tiredly. “Of course, sweetie.”
Candace and Cody went to the playroom to watch cartoons.
Linford happened to show up at the moment, “Pop, can we talk?”
Franco turned on his heels and avoided looking at Linford, “Stop asking me where Cristelle is, Linford. I will only tell you when everything’s over.”
“I’m not asking about Cristelle, Pop. I just want to talk to you.” Linford sounded sincere.
Franco, however, only looked extremely tired. He looked like he didn’t want to discuss anything anymore, “Your father is gonna retire this year. As for Enzo, I also don’t want him to stay in the military anymore. I’ll send him to your company after this trouble, and I hope you can take care of him.”
Linford raised his eyebrows. It seemed like Pop wanted to retire as well. The Bradley House is in its prime currently. No one dared to claim that they were the most powerful house as long as the Bradley House still existed.
Disassociating with the Army was probably a wise choice to make right now. But Enzo loved his job in the military. It was probably not fair for him.
“I have nothing more to say, Pop, if this is your decision. But you know I would never compromise Cristelle,” Linford sounded firm.
Pop didn’t say anything as he walked into the room.
“Pop, where’s Grandpa right now,” Cody asked as he saw the old man walk into the room.
Franco smiled patiently, “Your grandpa is a bit busy today. Why are you asking about him?”
Cody sighed, “He promised to play chess with me. But he didn’t even show up today.”
Franco smiled, “Cheer up, little fella. I’m sure I can make a good chess mate. Why don’t you play with me?”
Cody nodded, “Fine.”
Candace grabbed a little stool and sat by the table, “I… I will watch.”
Linford walked into the room and saw Pop and the babies. They looked perfectly happy. But he still couldn’t stop himself from thinking about Cristelle.
Meanwhile, Cristelle just woke up in a small apartment downtown.
She got off the bed and got out of the room. Before she could walk out of the door, however, an old voice sounded behind her, “Cristelle, you finally woke up. Why don’t you come over here and have some food with me? I just made some lasagna.”
Cristelle turned around in surprise and saw Mr. Weston,
She cleared her throat and went to the table, sitting down, “You’ve known everything, Mr. Weston?”
“Yep,” Mr. Weston served the food, “It’s quite chaotic outside. Franco made you stay at my place so you won’t be affected. Franco is a good man, Cristelle. Making this decision is hard for him. Just stay here and wait until everything becomes normal, okay?”
Cristelle felt complicated. She knew her real identity would bring big trouble to the Bradley family, but she also didn’t want to leave Cody and Candace alone and scared, “I don’t care about anything. Mr. Weston. I just want my babies. Cody and Candace can’t live without me, and I can’t live without them.”
“You have to have faith in Linford. That man will never give up on you no matter what happens.”