Franco looked pretty defeated when he heard that. He cast a look at the babies, and he just went sadder.
Linford thus changed the tack, “But you’re welcome to move in our place, grandpa. This place is heavily guarded, and we will be happy if you come to live with us.”
Franco’s eyes lit up, but he soon regained his composure. “I don’t think it will be convenient.” Saying that, the old man just stood up from his chair.
Linford cast a look at Cody. Cody knew what his dad was asking him to do, but he chose to ignore it.
Cristelle, however, suddenly stood up, “Pop, please move in and live with us. I’ve already prepared your room, actually.”
Franco faltered in his course before turning around and casting a look at the babies, “It’s okay. I think I should go back.”
Cody didn’t say anything. He would never forgive anyone so easily.
Jack sighed. Cody did get some temper like his father. Franco had shown up and apologized, but the boy still refused to accept him. It seemed like the boy had forgotten how much his Pop loved him.
Franco walked out of doors. Linford followed, “Please don’t mind, Cody, Pop. He’s just a boy.”
Linford held the car door open for the old man before getting in the driver’s seat and deciding to drive him back home.
Franco was still so embarrassed, “Yep. I wonder who he got that from.”
Linford laughed as he started the car, “Sorry. I can’t help that. He’s my boy. To be honest, I also got deeply annoyed by his temper from time to time.”
Franco looked out of the window.
It seemed that Franco was really heartbroken at this time. The old man brought Linford up. He felt bad as he had to go through this kind of emotional pain. So Linford cleared his throat as he put his hands on the steering wheel, “I will talk to Cody, Pop. He will forgive you.”
Linford was not sure about what he was saying. Cody could be unbelievably stubborn sometimes. He didn’t even know when the boy would truly forgive anyone who made any mistakes. Linford only said these words to comfort Franco.
“I wonder when he will be less angry towards me.” Franco let out a long breath. He sounded a bit sad.
Linford quickly promised, “In a couple of days, I guess. I will send Alfred to pick you up by then.”
Franco finally cheered up a bit after hearing that.
“Did you get the invitation from the White?” Linford changed the topic.
Franco shook his head, “Nope.”
Linford blinked, “Really?”
Franco seemed a bit annoyed, “Why would I ever lie to you?”
“Interesting,” Linford focused on the road again, “It seems like the White family has dropped the act.”
“It’s only better,” Pop sighed, “I’m getting tired of pretending.”
Linford smiled widely. Franco was more accepting than he thought.
“You need to be very careful recently, Linford. You know the Johnson family is coming after Cristelle and the babies. You must do your best to protect them,” Franco sounded quite serious. That was actually the main reason why he went to Linford’s place.
He couldn’t feel safe when the babies were out of his sight.
Linford nodded, “I will protect them, Pop. No one can ever harm them.”
The car drove toward Franco’s place, and they chatted for another couple of minutes.
****
Meanwhile, Cody and Candace were sitting before the TV together.
Candace carefully pulled at Cody’s sleeve, “Did Pop come here today to pick us up so we can live with him?”
Cody nodded silently.
Candace asked carefully, “Will he really move in with us?”
“I guess?” Cody shrugged.
“Do you want him to come then?” Candace asked another question.
Cody easily caught her intention, “Do you want him to come?”
“No!” Candace instantly shook her head, “No! I’m just asking.”
“Good,” Cody looked at the TV again, “Remember what he did to kick Mom out? It’s unforgivable.”
Cristelle was sweating after hearing the babies’ discussion.
What unforgivable? Who even taught them that?
Cody could tell what his sister was thinking. So he said directly, “Are you feeling bad for him? Do you want him to move over? Or you’re missing the food in his house?”
Candace went blushing instantly, “No… I… I just feel bad for him. I don’t want any food.”
“Cool,” Cody arched an eyebrow, “Candace, you need to remember our promises.”
Candace pouted her tiny lips, fidgeting, “Okay.”
Cody was silent, and Candace left his brother’s room, head dropping.
Cristelle only knocked on the door after making sure Candace had left, “Cody, can we talk?”
Cody invited his Mom in, and Cristelle pushed open the door.
“You’re playing with those toys again?” Cristelle tried to make her entrance less rigid.
Cody didn’t even look up, “Are you here to be Pop’s lobbyist like Candace was?”
Cristelle was taken aback after hearing her son’s straightforwardness. How did he predict her intention so soon? Having a genius son was difficult. Where did he even learn those words?
“It’s not like…” Cristelle cleared her throat, “It’s not like I’m trying to. Just… Don’t you think it’s a bit dangerous to let Pop live by himself at the moment like this?”
Cody’s hands faltered, throwing the toy away, “I don’t think so.”
The old man was an important figure. Those people wouldn’t dare to do anything to him, no matter how much they hated Bradley.
Cristelle sighed purposely, “Your Uncle Enzo is important enough, but some people still bothered to send attackers to kill him. What if those people want to harm Pop as well? It would be bad.”
Cody’s eyebrow raised instantly. No way!
It wouldn’t be so coincidental. However, if anything happened to the old man, he would also feel pain.
“Mom, let’s not worry about this issue. I will talk to Dad about this,” Cody thought for a while and decided to remain calm.
Cristelle could tell from his face that he had been slightly shaken. She knew she probably should stop continuing this issue. She nodded and left the room, knowing her son was way smarter than she thought. He would handle this issue properly.