Chapter 100: He Lives There Too?

Samuel Ford noticed her gaze and was about to ask what was wrong, but then he suddenly saw his own reflection in her eyes.

She was looking at him. The realization sparked a flicker of pleasure in his heart, and the corners of his mouth curved into a subtle smile. "Where should I put the washed vegetables?"

Amanda Vance came to her senses and blinked. She stepped forward. "I’ll take them."

"Okay."

Holding them, Amanda Vance gave the vegetables a casual glance. They were washed spotlessly. She couldn’t help but remark, "I never would have guessed President Ford knew how to do housework."

"I’m human, too," Samuel Ford said calmly.

Amanda Vance was taken aback for a moment before laughing. ’That’s true. He’s human, and he needs to eat like everyone else. He already knows how to do the dishes, so washing vegetables shouldn’t be that surprising.’

’I was overreacting.’

Letting out a soft laugh, Amanda Vance said, "You have a point, President Ford."

The steady, light CHOP-CHOP-CHOP of a knife filled the air. Samuel Ford couldn’t resist turning to look. He saw her movements were swift and efficient, the knife moving with incredible dexterity in her hand. There was no hesitation, just one fluid motion. Her slender, pale fingers seemed even whiter against the green vegetables.

It was less like she was cooking and more like she was putting on a performance—a visual feast that was an absolute pleasure to watch.

Amanda Vance placed the shredded potatoes in a colander. "Could you give these a rinse, President Ford?"

"Okay." Samuel Ford lowered his gaze and took the colander.

One washed while the other chopped, the two of them working in perfect harmony. When it came to the actual cooking, Samuel Ford couldn’t be of much help, so Amanda Vance shooed him into the living room to watch TV.

Samuel Ford aimlessly flipped through the channels with the remote, going from the first to the last. He kept glancing toward the kitchen. As the aroma of cooking food began to waft out, the comforting, homey atmosphere started to put his heart at ease.

Tapping his fingers lightly on his thigh, he glanced again at the busy figure in the kitchen, his eyes filled with a tenderness he himself hadn’t perceived.

Soon, Amanda Vance was done cooking. Hearing the stove click off, Samuel Ford casually rose to his feet and walked over. "Let me carry the plates."

Amanda Vance didn’t argue. She let him carry the food while she got the bowls and utensils and set the table.

She had made one meat dish, two vegetable sides, and a soup—more than enough for the two of them.

"This is delicious," Samuel Ford said earnestly after taking a bite and looking up at her.

As Amanda Vance looked at him, a little face suddenly popped into her mind. Jean had gone through a phase just like this; after every bite, he would look up at her and say, "Delicious!" his eyes crinkling with a smile, his small face filled with contentment. Samuel Ford wasn’t nearly as expressive, his emotions were much more subdued, but the sentiment behind his words was exactly the same.

The two faces, one large and one small, inexplicably superimposed in her mind. Amanda Vance blinked, studying the man’s sharp, chiseled features. ’My eyes must be playing tricks on me from exhaustion,’ she thought. ’The two of them are complete strangers. How could they possibly look alike?’

Shaking her head, she said, "I’m glad you like it."

"I do." Samuel Ford watched her for a moment before lowering his head and continuing to eat.

He was the one to wash the dishes this time as well. "You’ve had a long day, Dr. Vance. Go get some rest."

"Alright. Thank you, President Ford."

"Don’t mention it."

Amanda Vance glanced at him and sighed to herself. ’You really can’t judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought that the man with the perpetually cold expression would actually do chores behind closed doors?’

Just as she was thinking this, her phone rang. It was a video call from Jean Vance. Her expression softened, and she turned to walk toward her room. "Jean..."

Hearing the instant warmth in her voice, Samuel Ford’s hands stilled. He turned to look at her. Her back was to him, so he couldn’t see her face, but he could easily imagine how gentle her expression must be just from the sound of her voice.

’She really does care about that child.’

For some reason, he became lost in thought. He only snapped out of it when she disappeared into her room, at which point he looked down and resumed washing the dishes.

Inside her room, Amanda Vance’s attention was completely on Jean, so she didn’t notice Samuel’s gaze. Propping a pillow behind her back, she smiled at the little face on the screen. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Yeah." Jean Vance seemed a little distracted. He remembered seeing a figure behind her when the call connected. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, feigning nonchalance, "Mom, did you eat dinner alone just now?"

"No, President Ford was here."

’So it really was him.’

Jean Vance pursed his lips, clenching his hand at his side. He lowered his gaze slightly, hiding the emotion in his eyes from her.

But Amanda Vance was watching him closely; of course she noticed. Confused by his expression, she asked, "What’s wrong?"

Jean Vance thought for a moment, then decided to put on a dejected act. "Mom, are you and President Ford good friends?"

Amanda Vance wouldn’t have thought much of it, but when she saw the jealous look on his face, she instantly understood and let out a laugh. "What’s going through your head? We’ve only met a few times. But there’s a funny coincidence. Remember the house Mr. Lynch let us borrow?"

Jean Vance didn’t know who Mr. Lynch was, but he knew which house she meant and already guessed what she was about to say.

His eyes darkened slightly. He nodded. "Yeah. What about it?"

"Well, your mom just found out a little while ago that this house actually belongs to President Ford."

’I knew it.’

His grip on the phone tightened. Jean Vance pressed on, "So, is President Ford staying there tonight too?"

"He is. I didn’t realize this was his home at first. I only found out after I’d already moved in."

’This is his house, and I’m basically a tenant. I can’t exactly kick him out. Thankfully, there are plenty of rooms, so it won’t be too awkward.’

Seeing that he could barely control his expression, Amanda Vance couldn’t help but laugh. "Relax, it’s not what you’re thinking. President Ford and I are just friends. And haven’t I told you? I’ll be with my Jean forever. I’m not going to find someone else. Besides, is there anyone in the whole world more amazing than my Jean?"

Hearing her words, Jean Vance finally relaxed, and a smile blossomed on his little face.

"Feeling better now?" Amanda Vance raised an eyebrow, teasing him gently.

"Yeah." Jean Vance never hid his possessiveness from her. He nodded and declared, "Mom is mine."

After speaking, he frowned slightly and silently added in his heart, ’...and that little fool, Felix. But whatever. Mom cares about him, so I guess it can’t be helped.’

But he would only allow his mom to be shared a tiny, tiny bit with Felix Ford. Samuel Ford was out of the question.

"Yes, yes, I’m all yours," Amanda Vance said, laughing uncontrollably. Her laughter only subsided when another face appeared on the screen.

Jean Vance shot a disgusted look at Hayden Grant as he leaned into the frame. When he saw Amanda nod, Jean reluctantly handed over the phone but remained stubbornly seated nearby, refusing to leave.

Hayden Grant’s expression soured. He hadn’t been worried initially, but after overhearing their conversation, he realized Samuel Ford was there too.

An unmarried man and woman, alone under the same roof after dark... the thought alone was unsettling.

When he remembered how attractive women found Samuel Ford, a sense of crisis flared up inside him. ’No, I can’t let them stay there together.’

"Megan, I’m coming over right now."

"You don’t have to—" Before she could finish her sentence, he had already hung up.

Amanda Vance furrowed her brow in resignation. ’He’s still so impulsive.’

A knock on the door drew her gaze away from her phone. "Come in."

Samuel Ford walked in holding a glass of milk. "I was warming some up for myself and made an extra," he said casually. "Would you like one, Dr. Vance?"

"Oh, thank you." Amanda Vance got off the bed to take the glass. After a moment’s thought, she said, "My friend and Jean will be coming over in a little while. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course. I’ve heard so much about your son, Dr. Vance, but I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him. It’ll be nice to finally have the chance."