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.

This man was right. Cristelle would feel like an idiot if she turned him down right now. She saw a contract lying on the desk before her. She took the contract and had a good look. Nothing on that contract seemed illegal or like a trap.

Was she really that lucky?

The payment finally made her yield. Whatever Linford Bradley’s intention was, Cristelle knew she really needed the money. She took a deep breath and put the contract in her purse, “Thank you so much for offering me such a good job, Sir. I will work really hard in the Fashion Department.”

Linford was facing the prime view from his floor-to-ceiling window, “I’m glad you made the right choice, Miss Friesley. And... You don’t need to thank me. You earned this job.”

Cristelle still felt light-headed as she walked out of the CEO’s office.

“Miss Friesley, this is your workstation. From today, you’ll be a part of the B-team in your department. This is your ID card. The cafeteria is on the second floor, and you may have your lunch there,” Alfred explained as he took her to her office.

“Thank you so much for walking me here. By the way, you can just call me Cristelle,” Cristelle smiled at the handsome young man.

Alfred smiled back, his tone polite, “You don’t need to thank me, Cristelle. Boss is the one who arranged all this.”

Cristelle was stunned. Boss was the one who arranged all this? Did Linford Bradley arrange everything for her in person? Was this man treating all his employees this way? He would be exhausted.

The assistant nodded at Cristelle politely before leaving.

Cristelle still felt surreal as she sat before her desk and flicked open her laptop. After what happened to her family years ago, she had never dreamt of having a chance to get her ideal job.

Cristelle was thrilled and wanted to share her happiness with her babies immediately.

But what was with this weird CEO? Why did he seem to care about her so much? Cristelle couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Cristelle went online to do some research. It was quite strange because there was a lot of news about the Daicom Corporation but almost nothing about Linford Bradley. It was pretty apparent that this man valued his privacy very much.

Linford Bradley...

Cristelle chewed on this name as she searched her memories. Finally, she remembered her father once mentioned this Bradley family to her before.

The Bradley family was the most powerful house in the city. This house was one of the country’s wealthiest families and connected with big political figures. In a way, the Bradley house basically had Blue Field City in its pocket. Everyone feared their name, yet they still wanted to forge a connection with Bradley.

The Bradley house had remained rather low-key.

Cristelle wondered if he arranged for her to work here because she knew he was seeking therapeutic treatment. Rich people value their privacy very much. Maybe he hired her to keep her mouth shut.

That bolt of the scar on his wrist flashed in Cristelle’s memories again. What could possibly make this rich and handsome man resort to an extremity like that? He had everything any man could ever want.

Cristelle started to have a headache straining her brain for this issue. She decided to take a break and focus on her job.

Meanwhile, in the CEO’s office, Linford leaned back on his chair, narrowing his eyes as he ordered, “Alfred, go to Cristelle’s hometown and check out her background. Be as specific as possible. And do not tell anyone about this.”

Alfred was his most trusted assistant. The young assistant nodded, “Yes, Sir.” Alfred didn’t know why his boss was so curious about Cristelle. But this girl was definitely quite important.

Linford took out a photograph from his drawer. He looked at it for a long time, letting out a long sigh. And then he threw it back into the drawer and locked it up again.

What happened five years ago? How come he couldn’t even bear recalling any of those memories? Why did everything change so drastically after he woke up?

Linford still had no clues, but he knew he needed answers.

Cristelle sat at the corner of the FD office. She had majored in designing and couture-making before her father was imprisoned. After that, she dropped out of school.

Fashion had always been her passion. Cristelle couldn’t explain how lucky she felt to be given a second chance. She would hold on to this opportunity. And this time, no one would be able to take her drama away.

Cristelle took out her notebook and started to scratch it, trying to take her ideas down on the paper.

There were a total of three teams in the department. Team A was working on the 20th floor. A famous designer led this Team. The rest of the Team were just her assistants.

Team B and Team C were on the 13th floor. These two teams were about the same level and doing the same job. They only handled samples because major fashion designs were usually Team A’s job. But if you worked hard enough in B and C, you would also get the chance to work in Team A one day.

Daicom Corporation was the largest enterprise in Blue Field City. It had many branches and businesses, but fashion was undoubtedly its core business. Every designer dreamt of working here.

That was why Cristelle still couldn’t believe her luck. She sat on her chair, scribbling on her draft book nonstop. She didn’t even realize that it was already lunchtime.

Meanwhile, the members of Team B were gossiping in the cafeteria.

“Hey, what’s going on with that new girl? How come Alfred brought her here himself?” Izzy poked at her spaghetti with a fork frustratingly as she asked.

Juliette shrugged, “I just heard that she was introduced to Mr. Bradley by Dr. Weston. I’m sure she must be quite close to Dr. Weston.”

“Really?” One of the other colleagues gasped, “Could she be his relative then?” Juliette scoffed, “What relative? When did you hear our boss allowing any special treatment for his friend’s relatives? That woman at least has to be Dr. Weston’s girlfriend for Mr. Bradley to make an exception. All of us went through hell to get to where we are right now, and this woman just spent several nights with the right person to get what she wanted. How convenient!”