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!”

Some of her colleagues laughed, while others just shook their heads. Izzy didn’t like the assumption, “Hey, Juliette, it’s really not cool to say that.”

“Izzy, you’re the most experienced and talented on our team, and yet you still haven’t got to Team A after so many years of effort. To be honest, I don’t care about promotions or anything. But if this chick got to Team A before you could just because she has the ability to whore around, I would be so mad on your behalf,” Juliette didn’t mind stirring shit. She didn’t like anything about that new girl, especially her doe eyes and pretty face. Juliette always thought she was the prettiest woman in this department. She couldn’t bear having any competitors. Besides, that whore somehow managed to get her hot boss’s attention so easily. It was another thing that got on Juliette’s nerves.

“The Daicom Corporation works on merits, not personal connections. I really don’t want to hear any of this anymore,” Izzy took her food and stood up from her seat, moving to another table.

Even Izzy had said that she also didn’t like the fact that her new colleague somehow managed to overshadow everyone on the team without doing anything.

Soon, there will be competition between the designers in the company. If she could manage to get first place, she would probably also get the chance to be assigned to Team A. Izzy had prepared for this for so long. However, this new woman’s presence brought so much pressure on her.

When they returned to the office after lunch, Cristelle was still busy sketching at her table.

Izzy decided to check her out a bit. Just to figure out how talented this new woman was.

She took a deep breath before walking over with a smile, “Cristelle, I noticed you didn’t have any lunch. I got you a sandwich.”

Cristelle looked up and smiled, “Oh, thanks! That’s really sweet of you.”

“You’re welcome. It’s really no big deal,” Izzy nodded, acting just like a caring colleague. However, her real purpose was to figure out what Cristelle had been sketching in her draft book.

She felt more relieved when she noticed that Cristelle’s drafts were rather mediocre.

Everyone worked quite hard until the afternoon. And soon, it was time to go home.

Cristelle looked up and noticed her colleagues were still working. None of them showed any intention to leave. Cristelle was a bit hesitant, and then she thought of her babies.

Candace and Cody were still at home waiting for her. Besides, she had already finished today’s work. She had no reason to work overtime.

Cristelle stood up from her seat and collected her stuff.

When she walked out of the office, she heard Juliette’s sarcastic voice behind her back, “Privileged people are surely different from us. They can leave on time just because they have special connections, yet we have to work our asses off. Life is unfair.”

Other colleagues laughed. Cristelle, however, suddenly became extremely upset.

But she kept walking. She couldn’t leave Cody and Candace to the social workers only. They needed her at home.

It was winter, and it was already getting dark outside.

Cristelle walked across the street, wrapping her coat around her slim body, unaware of the pair of pale eyes staring at her behind the blackened Bugatti Divo window.

Linford rubbed his chin as his eyes bored the beautiful young woman’s face. Then, after a short thought, he suddenly decided to get out of his car.

It was chilly outside, and Cristelle looked like she was cold. Linford observed her behind the window because he wanted to see if she could trigger more of his memories. But the way she shuddered in the wind made him uneasy.

He just couldn’t help getting close to her and checking out if she was okay.

“Going home?” A male voice sounded behind Cristelle’s back as she waited for the lights to turn green.

Cristelle was startled, whipping around and seeing Linford’s handsome face, “Mr. Bradley?”

It was not okay to be caught going home early on the first day of work. Cristelle swallowed and explained, “I... I’ve finished my work for the day.”

The way she panicked was actually quite cute. Linford stifled a laugh, “It’s your right to go home after work hours. You don’t need to explain anything, Miss Friesley.”

Cristelle went red again.

Linford smiled, “It’s quite chilly out here, isn’t it? Do you want a cup of warm coffee?”

Cristelle looked up, blinking as she couldn’t understand the situation.

Was her boss offering to buy her a cup of coffee right now?

What the heck was happening? Cristelle cleared her throat, “No, sir. I’m fine.”

“Are you calling me ‘sir’ right now, Miss Friesley?” Linford smiled, his voice deep and almost musical, “Now, I feel I owe you a cup of hot chocolate.”

He was teasing her. Cristelle looked away rigidly.

Stop blushing, you idiot! She hissed to herself secretly.

Meanwhile, Linford had already gotten them two cups of hot chocolate at the roadside coffee stand.

Cristelle was stunned by how persistent he was. She didn’t want to make him think he won. But she knew it would be rude if she turned him down again.

Linford was tall and handsome. Naturally, he attracted a lot of attention, standing by the road with her. Some ladies even approached to ask for his number. But Linford turned them down instantly, not even bothering to be polite.

“Here,” Linford walked toward Cristelle as he handed her one cup of hot chocolate. Cristelle accepted it and murmured her thanks.

“Do you want me to give you a ride?” Linford suddenly asked as he gestured at his fancy Bugatti Divo. Cristelle became alert instantly.

Making her boss buy her coffee already sounded wrong. She didn’t want it to get even worse. So she shook her head, “No, Mr. Bradley. I really don’t see the need to bother you. The subway is pretty close. I can take the train.”

With that, she just turned around and ran away. Linford arched an eyebrow as he watched the woman run off, making up his mind that he would figure out this mysterious little woman sooner or later.

“Candace! Cody! Mommy’s home!” Cristelle announced the moment she pushed open the door.

The babies ran out to welcome her instantly. Cristelle crouched down and let the babies run into her open arms, leaving kisses on their cheeks.

“Mom, how was the work today?” Cody asked as he poured Cristelle some water.

Cristelle smiled at her boy, “Your mom got really lucky today.”

And then, she told the babies how she got the best job in the world.

Candace’s eyes lit up as she noticed how happy her mom was. Cody, however, seemed a bit worried.

Cristelle noticed the look on the boy’s face, so she pinched his cheek, “Don’t worry. Mommy’s friend recommended this job. It’s completely safe.”

Cody nodded, still seeming worried. The boy was too mature for his age. And he tended to worry about a lot of things. Cristelle blamed herself for not being able to give the boy the childhood he deserved.

If she were more wealthy and capable, her babies would have a steady life, and they wouldn’t worry about things that shouldn’t be their issues.

The babies couldn’t enjoy the toys and theme parks like other kids could because they didn’t have much money. Cristelle even made most clothes by hand. She felt she owed her babies too much.

After tucking the babies in, Cristelle left their room gently and grabbed her sketchbook. She knew she needed to work really hard to provide the babies with the life they deserved.

****

Candace was still asleep the following day when Cristelle woke up. Cody had already prepared their breakfast. He got some toast from the refrigerator and poured Cristelle a glass of milk.

Cristelle pulled the boy in and kissed his little cheeks, “Honey, we’ve talked about this. You’re still growing. You can’t wake up this early to prepare breakfast. Mommy can handle it, okay?”

“Mommy, it’s okay. You know I can’t sleep after 6 am. It’s a habit. Just let me do it. You’re so tired every day. This is the least I can do for you,” the boy looked into Cristelle’s eyes when he said that. Cristelle tried so hard to hold back her tears.

She couldn’t show her vulnerable side before the babies, or they would get upset.

Cristelle only kissed Cody’s cheek again and again.

She didn’t leave the house until the social worker came to babysit the babies.

After making sure everything was in place in her house, she ran toward the train station immediately.

“Cristelle, have you had your breakfast? Do you want some croissants?” Izzy asked as Cristelle stepped into the office.

Cristelle blinked, “I’ve eaten, thanks!”

Juliette scoffed, “Just look at her. She doesn’t look like she would eat any breakfast.”

This sentence didn’t have any explicit meaning, but it sounded offensive and weird. Other colleagues sniggered. It was probably an inside joke generated when they talked about her behind her back.

Cristelle didn’t know what it was, but she also didn’t care. She only wanted to do her job and get paid. Starting a war sounded stupid and boring.

Izzy noticed her reaction, secretly deciding that Cristelle Friesley was probably a marshmallow. She didn’t even counter back when she felt insulted. Maybe she was weaker than she thought.

Cristelle pulled out her lunch box from her bag when it was lunchtime.

However, Izzy suddenly walked over at the moment, “Cristelle, let’s go to the cafeteria together. Don’t mind what they say. They’re just being silly. We’re colleagues, and we still have to work together. Just don’t mind them, okay? They can be quite stupid sometimes.”

Izzy was right. They probably still needed to work together for a really long time. On the other hand, Cristelle needed to try to fit in as fast as possible. She couldn’t be a loner forever.

Cristelle and Izzy came together to the cafeteria.

Their colleagues noticed that. Some of them didn’t sound happy about this, “Izzy is so kind to that new woman. I don’t even know why.”

“Well, Izzy has a big mind. We should learn from her, though. We still need to work with the new chick.”

Izzy led Cristelle to their team’s table before selecting her food. Cristelle sat down and put her lunchbox on the table.

Juliette gasped, “Are you kidding me right now, Cristelle? Did you bring your own lunch? You can’t even afford company lunch?”

Cristelle nodded and said, “I packed some. food at home. It’s more healthy and cheap. I do need to save money recently. What is the problem, Juliette? You seem surprised.”

Cristelle sounded genuine and open, making Juliette’s comment sound a bit childish. Juliette thus shut her mouth, not knowing what to say anymore.

Izzy came over soon, and everyone started to eat their lunch quietly.

Suddenly, Juliette remarked, “What is our boss doing here?”

And then, she pulled out her powder and started to fix her makeup.

The rest of the group also looked up and saw Linford standing in the line, waiting for his turn like a random company employee. However, his face and body didn’t allow him to blend in with the crowd.

Izzy was also excited to see Linford, but she was more composed than Juliette, “I heard Alfred just left for a business trip. I bet no one’s taking care of Mr. Bradley’s lunch today.”

Other colleagues nodded. No wonder their boss suddenly came here today. However, Linford suddenly approached their table and sat down beside Cristelle. The entire cafeteria fell deadly silent after what Linford did.

Boss was having lunch with them!

No one even dared to raise their voices in the room anymore.

The ladies at the table wanted to seize the opportunity to impress Linford. But no one wanted to be the first to speak.

Izzy felt that the atmosphere was too tense. She turned to Cristelle and smiled, “Did you bring salmon today, Cristelle? Can I try?”

“Of course,” Cristelle instantly forked a piece of salmon and put it on Izzy’s plate.

Izzy put the piece of fish in her mouth and hummed in satisfaction, “Not bad. You’re an excellent cook, Cristelle.”

“Thanks,” Cristelle smiled.