Chapter 108: Jean Vance, You’re Flustered

"What did Dad do?" Felix Ford was confused. After hearing the explanation, he slammed his hand on the bed in anger. "That’s horrible! How could they say that about Mom!"

Just hearing about those words was enough to make him furious. ’How upset would Mom be if she saw them?’

He subconsciously glanced at the door and lowered his voice. "So, should I stop Mom from looking at her phone?"

"No need." Jean Vance’s voice came through the phone. "It’s already been taken care of. That stuff won’t get to Mom."

"That’s good." Hearing this, Felix Ford breathed a sigh of relief. Then he noticed the other boy’s harsh tone and asked quietly, "Are you mad?"

"What do you think? Shouldn’t I be?" Jean Vance’s reply was unhesitating, his voice sounding as if it had been pulled from ice. "The only reason Mom is suffering this unwarranted disaster is because of your father!"

’He was right.’

He didn’t completely understand, but he knew Jean Vance had to be right.

Mom was being bullied because Dad did something wrong.

His little fists tightened. He put on a serious face and said, "Dad is so mean. From now on, let’s not live with him. We don’t need him. The three of us can be a family."

Hearing that Felix wasn’t taking Samuel Ford’s side, Jean Vance’s expression softened slightly. But when he heard the next part, he scoffed. "In your dreams. Mom is only on loan to you temporarily. Once we find..."

At this, he abruptly realized he had said too much and snapped his mouth shut.

But Felix had keenly heard him. "Find what?"

Thinking about the tone he had just used, a panic seized Felix’s heart. "Once you find it, does that mean you’re going to leave?"

"No, you heard wrong," Jean Vance denied flatly.

Felix Ford pressed his lips together and said suddenly, "Jean Vance, I’ve told you before, you and my dad are a lot alike."

Jean Vance paused, not understanding what he meant.

Felix didn’t keep him waiting and quickly clarified, "I know him, so I know you. You can’t fool me when you lie."

That time he tricked him with the DNA test report, it was because he was so provoked by his words. Back then, Felix had been uncertain, not sure if his mom was really his mom, so hearing Jean’s words had sent him into a panic. He had paid the price for his own ignorance and ended up being fooled.

But this time, Jean was the one who was panicking.

For once, Felix Ford’s mind was racing. "When I asked you just now, if there was really nothing to it, you wouldn’t have denied it so quickly." He came to a conclusion. "Jean Vance, you’re flustered."

Jean Vance fell silent. For the first time, he realized he had underestimated Felix. He wasn’t stupid, just simple-hearted; he didn’t usually overthink things. But if he actually put his mind to it, he was no fool.

’But even if he knows, I’m not afraid.’

"This country holds too many painful memories for Mom. Classmates from her high school, alumni from Auden University, even a complete stranger—as long as they’ve heard those rumors, they’ll slap all sorts of nasty labels on her without a second thought. If we hadn’t been forced to return, I would’ve wished for Mom to never set foot in this place again for the rest of her life."

’That way, she wouldn’t have to endure all that pain anymore.’

Leaving one’s home is hard, but living in your own country without a sense of belonging, surrounded by people who want to hurt you, is a terrible feeling.

Even if she was strong, even if those words couldn’t actually hurt her, he still found it unbearable.

Her strength wasn’t meant for enduring baseless accusations.

After listening to him, Felix Ford also fell silent. His little hand slowly tightened its grip on the bedsheet beneath him. He felt lost. "Isn’t there any other way?"

"People’s prejudices aren’t so easily changed."

Mom wasn’t born indifferent. She tried to explain, but did it do any good? No. So she had no choice but to force herself not to care.

After a long time, you could even call it being philosophical.

’But she was forced into it.’

He gritted his teeth and said coldly, "Felix Ford, I don’t care what you think or what your father thinks. I just don’t want Mom to get hurt. Mom can be indifferent and let it go, but I can’t. For your sake, I can hold back from going after that man. But if he dares to dream of anything more, then don’t blame me for being ruthless."

Felix Ford opened his mouth but was speechless. After a long moment, he finally managed to say, "I understand."

’Dad or Mom. I can only choose one.’

’I can’t dream of a happy family reunion anymore.’

Felix Ford flopped onto the bed, rubbing his face into the sheets. His voice came out muffled. "I get it. I’ll let you know if anything happens with Mom. And... thank you for what you’re doing for her."

"She’s my mom. I don’t need your thanks."

With that, Jean Vance hung up. He took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress his spiraling emotions.

Just then, there was a soft sound at the door.

He couldn’t be bothered to respond. He lay limp on the bed, his gaze vacant as he stared at the ceiling.

"Young Master, it’s me." Miss Lynch’s voice came from outside.

After a moment, Jean Vance got up, walked over, and opened the door, immediately coming face-to-face with a beaming smile.

Glancing at the bowl she was holding, he stepped aside to let her pass.

Miss Lynch walked in, smiling. "Young Master, it’s time to eat. I made your favorite. You holed up in your room as soon as you got back. Did you have another fight with the Master? He isn’t back yet. I heard from Rocco that something came up at the last minute. The company is a lot of work, so it’s natural for him to be busy. It’s all to provide for you, Young Master. You have to be more understanding and not hold a grudge against him."

Jean Vance listened to her, lightly tapping his fingers on the desk. He looked at her sideways and, mimicking Felix Ford’s tone, said, "I know. Dad works so hard because of me. It’s tough. I’m not mad at him. When I grow up, I’ll work hard to earn money and support him, so he won’t have to work so hard anymore."

Miss Lynch’s face stiffened. She said awkwardly, "The Young Master has become so sensible."

Jean Vance smiled at her. "It’s all thanks to your guidance, Miss Lynch. I’ve thought it through. Dad is already working so hard, I can’t cause him any more trouble."

Hearing this, the smile on Miss Lynch’s face became even more rigid.

She gave him a suspicious glance, but saw him obediently eating with his head down. She couldn’t help but feel baffled. ’Did my "guidance" actually work? But that wasn’t my intention at all.’

She couldn’t very well ask him that directly.

After he finished eating, a frustrated Miss Lynch cleared the bowl and left.

Jean Vance watched her back as she left. A moment later, he opened his phone, tapped it, and soon a voice came through.

It was Miss Lynch’s.

"Hello, it’s me..." she said, lowering her voice. Before she could say another word, Jean Vance’s phone suddenly flickered.

He quickly pulled out the SIM card and pressed the power button, his gaze darkening.

’She actually has anti-surveillance software on her phone!’

’This is getting more and more interesting.’