“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.

Cristelle forked a piece of broccoli, but she forgot that she had put too much paprika. She choked on the spice and started to cough. Linford instantly pushed a cup of water before her.

It was his glass.

Everyone around the table went frozen.

What did their boss just do? Cristelle surpassed the next fit of cough. She smiled at Linford, “Thanks. But I’m fine.”

Cristelle didn’t want to drink from his cup. She had already been bothered by gossip. She didn’t want to make it worse.

Cristelle struggled to compose herself, “No need, I’m fine now.” Cristelle’s face was red from choking, and she pushed back the bowl of soup.

Linford remained expressionless as he continued with his lunch.

Juliette scoffed internally. She put a piece of pepper in her mouth as well. When she started to cough, Linford didn’t even bother to look up. It was so unfair. They were working in the same department, yet Linford only recognized Cristelle!

“The design competition is in a couple of months. How are your preparations?” Linford found a random topic.

Izzy smiled and replied, “Everyone in our department is working hard for the competition.”

Juliette quickly added, “Izzy’s the most hardworking among us. She works overtime almost every day.”

After that, Juliette cast a look at Cristelle. Cristelle pretended she didn’t see that.

But she was getting curious as they brought up this competition, “What competition are you guys talking about? Why didn’t I know?”

Izzy acted surprised, “You don’t know about this? It’s our annual fashion design competition. The competition winner will be assigned to the 20th floor and work with Fritzi. It’s a magnificent chance to become a full-fledged fashion designer if you have the dream.”

Cristelle blinked. She didn’t know this until today. It surely sounded like an amazing opportunity.

Juliette added, “And the prize money the winner gets is also pretty generous. I heard it’s more than 200 grand.”

Cristelle quickly asked, “What does the second-place winner get?”

“There is no second place. We only generate one winner,” Linford added, “That’s why the competition is quite fierce.”

Cristelle blinked, “I see.”

If she could get the money, she wouldn’t need to be worried about Candace’s medical bills. Cristelle’s fists balled up under the desk.

Linford poked at the steak on his plate as he added calmly, “Today’s the last day for competitors to sign in. Details can be found on the company page. If you want to be a part of the competition, you need to hurry it up now, Cristelle.”

Cristelle quickly finished her lunch and headed back to the office to register for the competition.

Izzy, Juliette, and the rest of the team decided to stay at the cafeteria for a while.

“The competition’s just around the corner. Will our new girl participate?”

“There’s not enough time. It’s not just the design. The dress also needs to be made. Material selection and tailoring will take most of the time. She wouldn’t be able to make it so soon.”

Juliette rolled her eyes, “Did you even notice her face when I mentioned the prize money? She’s so fucking cheap.”

The colleagues started to laugh again since Linford had already left. Izzy didn’t join the laugh. She was still thinking about the way Linford looked at Cristelle.

He seemed so concerned when she choked. Izzy felt both furious and jealous.

She had been secretly in love with Linford for five years. Going to the 20th floor and being seen by her handsome boss was her dream.

During the last competition, she had been so close. She had been so close to being able to work on the 20th floor and managed to see Linford every single day, but she had failed.

****

Cristelle registered for the competition instantly when she walked back into the office. And then, she started to draw new drafts in her notebook again.

Izzy walked back as well. The longer she stared at Cristelle’s pretty face, the angrier she became. Linford probably also noticed her because of that pretty face. Izzy knew she was a perfect woman, but she just didn’t have a beautiful face. She knew how shallow most men were. She just didn’t expect Linford to be the same.

“Cristelle, you didn’t even finish your lunch. Why did you come back so soon?” Izzy walked over, perfectly hiding her jealousy. She hid her real thoughts really well.

Cristelle smiled, “I’m full. You’re always so sweet, Izzy.”

“There are only two months left before the competition. Do you really want to compete?” Izzy asked directly.

Cristelle, however, seemed a bit defeated, “I just registered in, actually. But I know myself. I won’t hold my hopes high. I just want to try... You know... It’s just a test.”

Cristelle has calmed down right now. This company was filled with talented people.

Cristelle didn’t believe she would become the most standing-out one.

Besides, if she gave herself under too much pressure, she probably wouldn’t be able to make it. She should relax. Maybe she would excel that way.

Izzy got nervous as she noticed how composed Cristelle was toward the competition.

“Yep, that’s my girl,” Izzy forced out a smile, “I believe you will make it.”

“No... Izzy, you’re more talented than I am,” Cristelle said genuinely. She felt so lucky to have a friend like Izzy in this company. This girl was so open and kind. And she seemed to care about her a lot.

Cristelle had no idea what this “good colleague” had been thinking all this time.

When the work hours were over, Cristelle started to collect her things again. Izzy walked over and asked, “Are you gonna leave again, Cristelle?”

Cristelle nodded embarrassingly, “I still have something to handle back home. Sorry for not being able to work overtime.”

Izzy grabbed her laptop and shoved it in Cristelle’s hands, “I bet you don’t have a laptop back at home. It will be so inconvenient for an amazing designer like yourself. Here, take this one and use it.”

Cristelle wanted to give it back, but Izzy insisted, “Please, Cristelle, just take this. I got plenty at home. I’m giving this to you because I know you can really use it. Please don’t turn me down if you treat me as your friend.”

Izzy was right. She really did need this.