Linford almost lost his balance. He wanted to kick Cody instantly.
This is your son, Linford. You can’t kick him out, even if he’s a brutal oppressor. Small whispers flooding in his mind.
Linford took a deep breath. “Let’s go downstairs for dinner. Everyone is waiting for us in the dining room.
Linford ended up yielding.
Cody didn’t move, looking up, “Did that Miles go to see you today?”
Linford didn’t want to hide anything from his son, “Yes.”
“What did he tell you?” Cody asked again.
Linford cast a look at the boy, deciding that he wouldn’t hide anything from this boy anymore.
He closed the door and looked Cody in the eyes, “Miles told me that the Friesley family caused Clyde’s death.”
Cody arched an eyebrow, “And you believed him?”
Linford thought for a while, “I don’t think it’s necessary for him to lie to me.”
Cody looked away. “Then what are you gonna do?”
“Even if your grandpa really did it, it was still his fault. It has nothing to do with your Mom, Auntie, you, and Candace,” Linford was pretty straightforward.
Cody let out a breath, “Then… What are you gonna do to them?”
“Well, the plan is pretty complicated. Johnsons are sneaky. Plus, Miles seems to have some connections with Jasper. I don’t think that man will go easy on us. You must try your best to protect your mother and sister during this time. I’ll also arrange a couple of men to protect you. We need to be really, really careful,” Linford sounded serious.
Cody nodded, “I know… Just… Stop being so mysterious all the time. And… Don’t hide anything from me anymore.”
“You’ve got this,” Linford nodded, “In exchange, I want you to trust me no matter what.”
Cody hesitated and still nodded.
“Dad! Cody! Where are you guys? The food is getting cold!” Candace complained from outside.
“Coming!” Linford held the door open. Cody went out slowly.
When they got to the table, Claire was smiling, “What were you guys talking about upstairs?”
Before Linford could say anything, Cody cut in, “That Miles came to see Dad today.”
Claire went a bit pale instantly. Frank poured her a glass of wine, “Claire, eat your dinner. Stop worrying about those things.”
Frank also moved into Linford’s mansion after they came back to the city.
“What did he tell you?” Cristelle sat next to Linford, looking concerned.
“That man said the Friesley family caused Uncle Clyde’s death,” Cody answered directly again.
Cristelle and Claire exchanged a look and fell silent.
“Linford, is that true?” Cristelle asked in the end.
Linford cast an angry look at his son. Things were not clear yet. Why did he have to say this to make Cristelle worried?
“I’m still investigating the whole thing, Cristelle. You don’t need to worry.”
Cody seemed a bit regretful. He shouldn’t have mentioned this to his Mom.
Cristelle was extremely pale, “But I need to know what happened. Or I will get worried…. You know me, Linford.”
Linford could only repeat what Miles told him.
Cristelle sat there, staring at a spot blankly, “How did that happen? My dad killed your brother?”
“Even if your father did something awful, it would never change my feelings for you, Cristelle,” Linford cooed gently.
Cristelle still felt bad. Claire went pale and weak. None of them had ever expected this kind of revelation.
Linford added, “This whole thing is extremely complicated. We haven’t found the truth yet. You guys should eat your dinner first. Then, we can discuss it afterward.”
But Cristelle was not in the mood to eat anything. She left the table and went back to her room earlier tonight.
Candace was a bit disappointed. She thought her Mom would at least watch cartoons with her before going to sleep. Cody regretted everything he had spilled earlier.
Linford and Frank were doing their dishes when he went to the kitchen. Cody sighed silently and went to the sink to wash his dishes as well.
“Miles is not easy. What are you gonna do about him?” Frank calmly asked as he put his dishes away.
Linford continued to wash, sounding quite calm, “I will wait and see what he’s gonna do first.”
Cody still looked a bit defeated.
Linford cast Frank an eye. Frank got his meaning instantly, saying, “Sometimes, there are certain things that only need to be known by our men. Women can’t know those things because it’s not necessary. You’ve got to believe your dad, Cody.”
“I know.” Cody pouted. He regretted it right now so much.
After leaving the kitchen, Linford brought some desserts upstairs, knowing Cristelle might want some late-night snacks since she didn’t eat much during dinner.
****
Lana and Miles officially came back to the city two days later. They held a party in the White House. Linford and other people were invited again, but none of them presented.
Other important figures in the city also didn’t show up. Right now, the situation is pretty complicated. None of them wanted to show their attitudes so easily and obviously. It was not wise.
Franco went to visit Linford after learning that.
Both Cristelle and Claire wanted to avoid him. Franco, however, insisted on seeing them, saying he had something important to discuss with them.
Candace and Cody sat next to each other side by side. However, their attitude toward the old man completely changed. Cody was acting quite aloof as if all the moments and laughs they shared had never truly existed. Candace also avoided looking at Pop directly, breaking the old man’s heart.
Franco felt extremely guilty, knowing he probably deserved the treatment, “Cody, Candace, Pop was wrong. Would you guys go back to my house with me?”
Cody looked away, “I don’t think so.”
Candace dropped her gaze, “I won’t go if Cody’s not going. I just want to be with Mom.”
Franco forced out a smile, “Why don’t you guys all come to my house?”
Cristelle and Claire instantly realized that the old man was only trying to protect them.
“Pop, we’re doing great here. We don’t need to go to your place.”
Franco cast an annoyed glance at Linford.
Linford got his meaning immediately. The old man must miss his great-grandchildren so much. He had already tossed his pride away by coming to visit.
“The joint of the White and Johnson family seemed to be powerful, but now they’re both in our territory. I don’t think they’re powerful enough to rival us yet.”