Five years later, at the train station of Blue Field City, Cristelle was tiredly looking out of the window, her arms wrapping tightly around her twins.

Some kind pedestrians sent her to the hospital on that cruel winter night. She had thought her life would be miserable. But the arrival of her lovely son and daughter had changed her life.

Being a single mother was not easy. To raise the babies, she needed to take three jobs.

Recently, her daughter, Candace, was diagnosed with selective mutism. Cristelle had to move from their remote town to the big city to find a better doctor for her.

The doctor in their town told her that this kind of condition needed to be treated before Candace’s adulthood. Or it would only be more difficult for the girl to recover.

Cristelle quit her job without any hesitation.

She was determined to make Candace better.

Her babies were her everything.

“Mom, hold on tight to my hand. This station is too crowded. We need to stay together or you will get lost,” Cody looked up as he held Cristelle’s hand after they got off the train.

Cristelle smiled and grabbed her little man’s hand, another arm carrying Candace. Cody’s hand felt soft and warm in her palm. The boy was a genius. He was far more intelligent and understanding than most kids of his age. And he never hesitated to show his care and love to her. The fact made Cristelle extremely proud.

With the comfort of her baby boy, everything suddenly didn’t seem so hopeless.

“I know, sweetie. But you also need to hold Mommy’s hand very tightly, okay? It would be best if you didn’t get lost,” Cristelle smiled at her boy.

“Okay,” Cody nodded.

Candace started to wriggle in her arm when they left the train station. Cristelle knew the girl probably wanted to pee. So she brought the babies to the nearest stripping mall.

“Mom, you go to the girl’s room with Candace. I’ll be here waiting for you guys,” Cody mentioned to them calmly.

Cristelle patted the boy’s fluffy head, “You need to stay here very still, okay? Don’t run around, or Mommy won’t be able to find you later. Candace and I will come back really soon.”

Cody nodded, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be fine.” Cody was a smart boy. Cristelle didn’t worry that he would follow any strangers away. But Blue Field City was huge. She just needed to be cautious.

After giving birth to the babies, Cristelle lost the strength to work for a couple of months, and she failed to pay her rent. For that reason, she had to live in her Uncle’s house for a while.

Back then, Uncle and his wife could still take care of the twins for her when she left for work. But now that she had moved to a strange place, she probably needed to consider accepting help from social workers.

When Cristelle took Candace to the bathroom, Cody just stood outside and waited. He looked tiny and cute. A lot of strangers came forth to ask if he couldn’t find his mom. The boy only shook his head.

Meanwhile, Linford Bradley happened to walk out of the elevators. His assistant followed him, reporting his schedule for the day.

Before Linford could walk out of the mall, a tiny hand suddenly tugged at the hem of his suit.

Linford dropped his gaze and saw a small boy.

“Sir, you dropped your folder,” Cody politely handed a blue folder to Linford. Linford’s assistant dropped a folder when they walked out of the elevator. Cody saw that happen from a distance. So he picked it up and sent it to them.

Linford pulled a handsome face, staring at the tiny ball of cuteness before him at his full 6’4 height.

He was not a rude person. He just seldom smiled as the CEO of the biggest business group in the city.

For some reason, his heart melted as he saw the cute little boy.

This was weird. Linford was sure he had never seen this kid in his life before. But the boy just looked extremely familiar... He didn’t remember having any cousins at this age.

Linford turned to face his assistant sternly. He really didn’t know how to handle little kids. Do they bite?

His assistant, Alfred, took the folder from the little boy, smiling warmly, “Thanks for sending this folder to us, kiddo. That’s really kind of you.”

“You’re welcome,” Cody nodded politely and turned around.

Alfred stared at the boy for a while and let out a smile, “Sir, don’t you think the boy looks quite like you? Especially his eyes...”

The little boy suddenly stopped in his course as he heard what Alfred had just said.

Furious, the boy whipped around and snapped, “Nonsense! I don’t look like him at all! I’m more good-looking than him! You’re rude!”

Cody hated it when people teased that he looked like some random guys. He knew those comparisons always made his Mommy sad.

Alfred’s mouth fell open, not knowing why his words made the boy so mad.

Linford could see the disgust clearly in the boy’s eyes. Of course, he didn’t expect the boy to be so full of temper. But he also couldn’t deny the boy looked quite like himself.

Linford was the most powerful man in this city, and people tended to suck up to him. He didn’t expect the boy to hate him so much.

This was quite interesting.

Linford’s lips curled up into a smirk, “Yep, Alfred. You’re definitely blind. I don’t think we share any similarities.”

Cody rolled his eyes and walked away, holding his little chin up.

Linford shook his head and walked out of the hall. Alfred followed up, still confused as hell.

****

Cristelle couldn’t get used to the fast pace of the big city. She compared a couple of locations and decided to rent a cheap apartment not far from the area where she would send her resume and apply for a job.

Candace’s condition would cost her a lot of money. She needed to save every penny she could get.

Cody was wearing an oversized facial mask as he helped her to clean the house. He was holding a broom that was much larger than himself, “Mommy, from now on, this place is our home.”

“Yep,” Cristelle climbed the ladder and changed the light bulb, “I promise I will get you guys a bigger house when I find a better job, okay?”

Cody nodded heavily. Candace just sat on the couch and looked at Cristelle confusedly.

She couldn’t understand what her mom and brother were talking about.

Cristelle cast a look at her sweet son and daughter. They always gave her strength no matter how defeated and tired she was.

She made up her mind that she would work hard for her sweet babies. She would do anything to provide them with a better life.

****

After leaving the kids to a trusted neighbor, Cristelle went to a nearby hospital, where she applied for her job as a medical assistant. Her friend had introduced her to this job. All she needed to do was go to this hospital and find a doctor named Drew Weston.

Dr. Weston was a famous therapist. Cristelle also found this job for Candace’s sake.

When Cristelle finally arrived at Dr. Weston’s office, she took in a deep breath as she stood before the door.

She knocked on the door three times, yet no one came to open the door.

“Doctor?” Cristelle called, pushing at the door gently. The door was not locked. She decided to poke in her head and take a look. However, when she tried to push the door open, someone was also pulling the door from inside at the same time.

Cristelle lost her balance and stumbled ahead. The next thing she knew, her face collided with a firm chest.

The man who stood before her was extremely tall, and he was basically built with hard muscles. His hard body even hurt Cristelle a little.

“So-sorry... I didn’t mean to,” Cristelle apologized as she stepped back, her bag falling off and all the content in it rolling out on the floor.

Linford was quite pissed off. He was never patient with women who deliberately threw themselves on him. Their tricks could get quite annoying and endless most of the time. They seemed too determined to get in his bed, and Linford just got irritated whenever they forged these repetitive scenarios.

He wanted to dust his suit jacket and walk away like usual, but he suddenly saw Cristelle’s eyes.

He didn’t know why, but those eyes looked so familiar as they stared at him innocently.

Fuzzy clips of memories shot across his mind... sultry dark room, a repressed moan... and blood on the sheet.

Linford closed his eyes, suddenly feeling a bit dizzy. But he soon steadied himself, crouching down to help the woman to collect her things on the floor.

It was rare for Linford. He was seldom so enthusiastic about any woman. Even Linford himself couldn’t explain why he was suddenly doing this.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to be so clumsy,” Cristelle was desperate to get the job. This entrance was definitely what she imagined making before her new boss.

“It’s okay,” Linford said, his voice deep and throaty. He still felt a bit of a headache now as he bored his clear pale eyes into Cristelle’s beautiful face, “What is your name?”

Cristelle thought this man was Doctor Weston, so she answered without any hesitation,” I’m Cristelle... Cristelle Friesley. I’m here to apply for the job. I believe my friend has mentioned me to you.”

“Oh...” Linford stood up as he flickered through a notebook he had just picked up before handing it back to Cristelle, “Have we met before, Cristelle Friesley?”

The way he said her name was slow and sensual, his voice deep as a cello’s. Cristelle only realized how handsome this man was when they locked their eyes. She couldn’t help blushing, “I... I don’t think so, Doctor.”

“Um... I’m actually here for the interview,” Cristelle swallowed as she added.

Gosh! This man was so intimidating. She silently thought.

And her friend told her Dr. Weston was a bubbly person.

Linford noticed she was a bit scared. So he smiled at her, “You came here for the interview? Well... Congratulations! Because you just got the job right away.”

“Really?” Cristelle’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked charming when she was overjoyed.

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Doc. You have no idea how much I needed this job. I’ll work really hard,” Cristelle smiled brightly as she shook Linford’s hand.

“I feel lucky having a diligent worker,” Linford couldn’t help smiling. This man was already attractive when he was not smiling. Cristelle didn’t even have the strength to look him directly in the eyes when he smiled at her like that.

Cristelle felt like she was walking on cotton when she turned around. After that, she couldn’t even push open the door.

Cristelle shuddered as she felt Linford lean over to hold the door open for her from behind. He was a tower of muscles. Cristelle felt tingles on her skin as the distance between them shrunk. She could even smell his musky scent.

“Please, Miss Friesley,” Linford’s voice was polite and sexy.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Cristelle murmured as she went out of the door. Her eyes skimmed across his long-fingered hand on her way out. A red bolt of a scar on his wrist caught her attention. Cristelle darted her gaze away instantly. She didn’t know how Linford got that scar, but she knew it would definitely be rude to stare at it.

When the real Dr. Weston finally returned, Linford was leaning on his couch, drinking a cup of coffee.

“What the heck did you do to yourself again, Linford?” Drew frowned as he noticed the scar on Linford’s wrist, “Did you cut yourself again?”

Linford shrugged as he put the cup of coffee on the table, not answering Drew’s question.

“Damn it! Can’t you control yourself a little?” Drew cursed as he rushed to find the first aid kit.

“Chill, Man. I’m not dead yet,” Linford said with a straight face. Drew would have punched that handsome face if this man wasn’t his best friend growing up.

The doctor rolled up his sleeves and crouched down, handling Linford’s cuts daftly.

He had done this for Linford so many times, after all.

“Drew, aren’t you tired of this?” Linford suddenly asked.

“That is a question I also wanted to ask you, Bossman. More cuts, and you will kick the bucket. And I don’t need to do this anymore. Do you want to save me the trouble? Remember to try this on your carotid artery next time!”

Linford smiled. He knew Drew only said this because he was pissed off and worried.

So he suggested, “Why don’t you unseal my memories then? Maybe I will act like a normal person after that.”

“Impossible!” Drew turned him down without thinking, “We’ve talked about this, Linford. Unfortunately, your mentality doesn’t allow you to accept another hypnosis treatment. It will fuck up your brain entirely.”

Five years ago, Linford went unhinged after returning from a birthday party. He had acted like a madman, trying to hurt everyone he had laid his eyes on. Drew had had no choice but to seal his memories with dangerous hypnosis treatment.

Whatever those sealed memories were, they were definitely not good for Linford.

One proof was that Linford still suffered the trauma even after those memories had been blocked from his brain.

Sometimes, he would hurt himself when he had flashbacks. And it scared the hell out of Drew.

“I just met a girl in your office, actually... When I saw her face, I suddenly remembered some shattered clips. I wonder if I met her before. She could probably help me remember those memories naturally,” Linford murmured to himself.

Drew turned to look at him, “What did you remember?”

“They were all just a blur... It’s hard to tell,” Linford shook his head, “You haven’t answered my question yet. Will she be helpful or not?”

Drew took a sip from his coffee, “Well... Maybe she will be helpful if you get those flashbacks without hurting yourself. You probably met her before. So her presence can trigger some memories.”

Linford also had the same idea. But that girl said they hadn’t met before, and she didn’t look like she was lying.

It triggered him even more. Finally, Linford decided to figure out the truth.

****

Cody looked happy as Cristelle told him and his sister that she had gotten the job.

“I’m proud of you, Mom,” the boy said seriously. Cristelle laughed and leaned over to kiss her little man on the cheek.

Candace stretched her arms out. Cristelle gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“We need to thank Jasper for this,” Cristelle smiled.

Cody pouted a bit. This Jasper was his Mom’s friend, and he tended to help his Mom whenever they were in trouble.

But Cody didn’t like that man.

“Go watch cartoons with your sister, Cody. Mommy will make a big meal to celebrate today,” Cristelle urged them.

“Okay,” Cody obediently followed as he held his sister’s chubby hand, leading her to the living room. Cristelle made the babies’ favorite dishes, and they enjoyed their dinner happily.

The next morning, she received a call from a strange lady telling her to register in the PD of the Daicom Corporation.

Cristelle’s mouth fell open. Everyone knew the Daicom Corporation’s name. It was the biggest company in this city... in this country even. Cristelle didn’t remember sending any resumes to Daicom Corporation. This company was way out of her league.

“You...probably get it wrong. Ma’am... I believe I passed the interview for a local hospital, not in your company,” Cristelle explained.

"No no, Miss Friesley. I’m sure you’re an employee of our company now. Please show up at 9 am. Our CEO demands to see you in person,” the lady at the other end said politely.

As stunned as Cristelle was, she still decided to show up at the company. She could still explain it to them in person if they got it wrong.

However, when she saw Linford sitting on that big chair behind the black wood desk, Cristelle suddenly lost her ability to form any words from her mouth.

“Doctor...” Cristelle’s mouth fell open.

“Please sit down, Miss Friesley,” Linford smiled at the beautiful woman. “By the way, the name is Linford Bradley.”

“MrBradley…” Cristelle sat down on the chair across his desk, her mouth going dry under his steady gaze.

Damn it! This man was that famous Linford Bradley. How could she be dense enough not to recognize him? No wonder she thought he looked familiar. A big figure like himself must constantly show up on local news.

But why didn’t you tell her the truth yesterday in the office? He didn’t even correct her when she called him a doctor.

What was wrong with this man?

Cristelle let out a long breath before looking Linford Bradley in the eyes, “Mr. Bradley, you probably got it wrong. But I actually thought you were Doctor Weston yesterday. That’s why I took our conversation as my interview. I wasn’t trying to apply for your company. I don’t think I will fit in here. This place is way out of my league.”

“I know,” Linford smiled, “But I saw that notebook of yours yesterday. I believe you’re the one who made those drafts. The design is absolutely amazing. You’re a talented woman, Miss Friesley. We can always use a creative mind like yours in our Fashion Department. Being a caretaker in the hospital will waste your talents, Miss Friesley. I can tell you genuinely love designing. This is a chance to take something you love as your career. Why don’t you take the offer, Miss Friesley? Not everyone has your luck.”

Cristelle blinked. She didn’t expect him to see her drafts so quickly. And why was this man so damn persuasive?

No wonder people were calling Linford Bradley “THE business genius”. He could sell a used Kleenex, and people would still empty their wallets for it.

“By the way, I’ve talked to Drew as well. He would talk to your friend so he wouldn’t feel betrayed. You can happily accept your dream job and get a salary above the average payment. I don’t see why any sane person would turn down an opportunity like this,” Linford whirled his chair behind the desk as he played with his pen.