Enzo instantly explained, “Cody, you made a mistake, your….”
“Stop saying anything and wasting my time! If I really made a mistake, help me realize it. Bring my Mom here, and I will instantly go back with you,” Cody’s voice was cold and short.
Linford tried to approach, but Cody instantly turned to glare at him, “You stay where you are, old man!”
The boy bristled like an injured little beast. The way he acted broke Linford’s heart.
He cooed, “That baby inside Lana’s belly is not mine. I have nothing to do with that woman.”
He’s still lying at the moment like this! He was helpless!
“I don’t really care. All I care about is my Mom. I won’t return with you if she doesn’t show up instantly. Even if you forced us to go back, Candace and I would hate you forever. Linford Bradley, you’re such a hypocrite. You want Candace and I to be with you, and you still want to marry Lana White. You didn’t bring us up! You know from the beginning that we don’t need you at all! Mom, Candace, and I were doing just fine without you. Then, you showed up, acted so kindly, and tried to have us back. Now, you finally got what you wanted, and you decided to kick our Mom out. It’s absolutely disgusting! I let my guard down and trusted you to win our mother’s heart, but in the end, you disappointed me!” Cody was determined not to let these people get what they wanted.
Lily cried, “Cody, other people might not believe your Dad, but how come you didn’t have any faith in him? He doesn’t love Lana White at all. He’s been looking for your Mom all this time.”
“I don’t want to hear that reason! I want the fact!” Cody didn’t believe anyone. “Where did you hide my Mom?”
“I don’t know.” Linford spoke the truth, “I’ve been trying my best to find her. I also want to know where she is right now.”
“Then go back and tell Franco Bradley that we won’t go back unless he releases my Mom!” Cody snapped.
“Cody!” Enzo hissed, “How could you say that?! That man is your great-grandfather! Don’t you remember how much he loves you both?”
Cody laughed coldly, “Love us? I don’t care. I only want to see my Mom. Stop wasting my time.”
Enzo tried to comfort the boy, “Cody, Pop did that only for you and your sister’s good.”
“Oh, really?” Cody sounded sarcastic, “He did this for our good or for the Bradley family’s good? You guys must know that better than I do. You’re all adults and smart, after all.”
Everyone fell silent. They knew the boy was right.
Drew shook his head, “Cody, you shouldn’t have said that. It will break Pop’s heart. He did all this to protect you and Candace.”
“I…” Before the boy could say another word, a couple of bodyguards suddenly dashed out and carried the boy back into the car.
Cody kicked and bit, but he was too small to get away. Candace was left there, howling and crying as she stretched her arms out toward Linford.
Linford went forward and carried the little girl in his arms, kissing her hair as he reassured her repeatedly.
Cody would probably hate him even more after this. But he couldn’t just leave them here. It was too dangerous. Besides, he couldn’t afford to waste too much time here. He still needed to find Cristelle.
****
Cody locked himself and Candace in their room. The boy refused to eat anything. Candace probably heard what Cody told her, saying that she wouldn’t eat anything as well unless they let Mommy come back.
Pop tried to see them, but the babies didn’t even bother to respond when the old man crouched before the door and called their names again and again.
Enzo took Linford to the study room. Drew followed as well.
When the door was closed, the look on Enzo’s face was quite severe, “You didn’t say a single word to Pop since you came back. You’re deliberately trying to make him feel bad. Are you trying to kill him? He’s not as young as before.”
Linford wore this aloof look on his face the minute he stepped into the room, “It’s just a method to make him tell the truth as fast as possible. It’s nothing personal.”
“What do you want him to tell you? Things have been decided. We need to follow Pop’s plan,” Enzo snapped.
“This is not what we agreed on before,” Linford’s eyes shot up.
“Yes, this is not. But our original plan was based on the scenario that Lana was not pregnant with YOUR child. Now the result of the third test is out, and it just proved that the baby is yours. Our plan won’t work out anymore.”
Drew was curious, “What plan? What are you guys talking about?”
Enzo’s face was cold, “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I. Won’t. Marry. That. Crazy. Bitch!” Linford hissed.
“If you refuse to marry her, you’re basically killing Pop,” Enzo chose his side, “You made a mistake, Linford. You need to take responsibility. If you want to cancel the wedding, you must prove that the baby is not yours. Unfortunately, we both know that you can’t. Candace and Cody are too small to know better right now but believe me, and they will understand you one day. As for Cristelle. I will send her to another country and give her a lot of money. She will live a happy life as well.”
Drew frowned. He suddenly didn’t want to hear any of this anymore.
“Listen, Enzo. I only need one more chance. One more chance and I can prove the baby is not mine,” Linford refused to give up.
“What do you mean?” Enzo frowned. “Frank told me before that identical twins’ DNAs are hard to differentiate.”
“Identical twins? Are you telling me that the baby could be Clyde’s?” Enzo frowned, “Are you kidding me? Clyde had been gone for so many years. How could it…”
“What if he left frozen sperm before he passed away?” Linford explained, “You know how cautious Clyde could be. That mission was dangerous. It was impossible if he didn’t do any preparation before every single mission. The baby could be our clue.”