Chapter 116: Stepfather

Jean Vance didn’t know Mr. and Mrs. Ford. If he were the one to go, he’d be more likely to blow their cover when faced with strangers.

He had also done his research; Mr. Ford, the man who had raised Samuel Ford, was not someone who could be easily fooled.

So, it was safer for Felix Ford to go.

"Then what about Mom? She’s there, too." Seeing his calm expression, Felix felt less flustered, but he couldn’t help a surge of anxiety.

Jean Vance rubbed his chin. "Leave Mom to me. You just have to go."

Hearing this, Felix gave a doubtful nod. He had no other choice but to trust him for now. "Okay."

After school, he obediently got into Rocco’s car. As they neared the hospital, his anxiety grew. He had no idea if Jean had gotten Mom away yet. ’If she hasn’t left...’

Felix suddenly regretted listening to Jean. ’I should have just made up an excuse not to go,’ he thought. ’That would have been safest.’

With that thought, he suddenly clutched his stomach. "Ouch! I have to go to the bathroom! Mr. Rocco, please just take me home!"

Rocco was looking for a parking spot. He heard Felix and said, "Young Master, look, we’re already here. You can just use the restroom at the hospital."

Felix put on an act, throwing a tantrum like he used to. "No! I want to go home!"

Rocco sighed. "Young Master, your grandfather hasn’t seen you in a long time and really wants to. Please, just be good and don’t cause a scene, alright?"

’Grandpa... I want to see him too,’ he thought. ’Grandpa is always so nice to me.’

In that moment of hesitation, Rocco finished parking and lifted Felix out of the car.

His body was suddenly airborne, and his field of vision widened dramatically. Felix panicked, covering his face with his hands. "Mr. Rocco, put me down! Quick!"

’This makes me the center of attention! Mom will spot me in an instant!’

’I mean, I *do* want Mom to be the first one to see me, but not like this!’

Rocco held him firmly and strode toward the entrance. "Can’t do that," he said as he walked. "If I put you down, Young Master, you’ll just run off again."

’Hmph. I practically watched this kid grow up. I know that look in his eyes all too well,’ Rocco thought. ’He’s clearly planning to bolt. It was fine before, but not today. Absolutely not.’

’President Ford wants to see his grandson. If the young master refuses to go, it’ll look really bad if word gets out.’

Seeing the boy squirming so much, Rocco quickened his pace and tried to soothe him. "Young Master, President Ford knows you’re coming today. He bought you lots of snacks—all your favorites—and toys, too. Later, if there’s anything else you want, just be sweet to him and he’ll definitely get it for you. Even your father wouldn’t dare object."

’Aren’t he and Dad always at odds? Great! I can take this chance while Grandpa’s here to tattle on him and get Dad in trouble.’

Normally, Felix would have been thrilled to do just that. But right now, how could he even think about it? ’If Mom is also here, the whole thing will be blown wide open! Jean will definitely take her away and never let me see her again, and Dad will beat me too.’

Just then, thanks to his high vantage point, he spotted a car. It was Mom’s car!

’She hasn’t left yet!’

Now Felix was truly panicked. He started kicking his legs wildly. "Put me down! Put me down!"

Rocco sighed and continued trying to coax him, not breaking his stride as he pressed the elevator button.

Watching the elevator ascend rapidly in the mirrored back wall, Felix felt a wave of despair wash over him.

Finally arriving at the hospital room, Rocco breathed a sigh of relief and set the boy down. "Huh?" he said. "Young Master, why are you wearing a mask?"

’When did he put that on? He wasn’t wearing it a second ago, was he?’

Felix huffed, ignoring him. Even with the mask on, he still wasn’t reassured. He covered his face with his hand and peeked inside. Seeing no sign of Amanda, he finally relaxed.

"Ford." A familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind him. Felix’s body went rigid. He shot a hurried glance over his shoulder, then quickly turned and bolted for the restroom.

’Right, Mr. Lynch! Why is he here?’

Mr. Lynch and Mr. Ford were old friends. However, Samuel had left the family home long ago to live on his own, and he only brought Felix back to visit on rare occasions when there were no guests. After Mr. Ford was hospitalized, Mrs. Ford, worried that a hospital would frighten a young child, rarely let him visit. As a result, Felix had never actually met Mr. Lynch before; he only got to know him while he was with Amanda.

But hearing him call Mr. Ford "Ford," Felix realized he knew his grandfather. His heart leaped into his throat. How could he possibly face him now? Terrified of being recognized, he just kept his head down and fled.

Mr. Lynch heard the noise and glanced over, catching sight of a small child’s retreating back. The zipper on his backpack was open. In a flash, the little figure was gone.

He couldn’t help but stare after him for a moment. ’Why does he look so familiar?’

Mrs. Ford hadn’t expected such a reaction either. She gave Rocco a questioning look. "What’s wrong with Colt?"

"The Young Master said his stomach hurts and he needs to use the restroom."

’Looks like I misunderstood him this time. He really wasn’t lying.’

"Oh, I see." So that was it. No wonder he ran straight to the restroom. She couldn’t help but mutter, "That child... why doesn’t he even say hello when he sees someone?"

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing." Mr. Lynch waved his hand dismissively. "When nature calls, you can’t just hold it in." He glanced into the room and asked, "Has my master left yet?"

"Yes, she just left. It seemed like she had something urgent to attend to."

"Is that so." Mr. Lynch sounded a little disappointed. "I had some questions I wanted to ask her. I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow."

Inside the restroom, Felix pressed his ear to the door, listening to their conversation. When he heard that his mom had left, he was overjoyed. ’Great! Now I can finally relax.’

Just as he was thinking, there was a sudden knock on the door, making him jump. He pressed his small hands against the door, terrified it would be pushed open. Tipping his head back, he looked up at the person outside but couldn’t make out their features, only a blurry silhouette.

Even so, he recognized him instantly.

"Dad, what is it? I’m not done yet!"

Samuel Ford glanced down at the small figure by the door and pinched the bridge of his nose. ’Little fool, you’ve already given yourself away.’

"Hurry up."

"Okay," Felix answered. Hearing that Mr. Lynch was about to leave, he went back to the toilet, waited a moment, and then came out. He looked around and said with exaggerated disappointment, "Oh, Mr. Lynch already left?"

Samuel shot him a look and asked flatly, "You know him?"

A jolt went through Felix, and he immediately shook his head. "Nope, don’t know him! I just happened to hear you guys talking to him, so I knew his last name was Lynch. Calling him Mr. Lynch is the right way to address an elder, isn’t it?"

’It wasn’t wrong, but explaining so much just made him sound guilty.’

Samuel narrowed his eyes, studying him for a long moment.

Knowing he was no match for his father and terrified he would see through him, Felix quickly ran over to Mr. Ford. "Grandpa," he called out in a soft voice, "are you feeling better? Does it still hurt anywhere?"

"Not anymore." Mr. Ford was already feeling much better. He raised a hand to pat the boy’s head. Seeing the undisguised worry in his grandson’s eyes warmed his heart. He looked up and glared at his own son. "Don’t you glare at my grandson."

’All he does all day is scare Colt.’

Felix’s eyes darted around, and he obediently angled his face toward his grandfather’s hand, making it easier for the old man to caress his cheek.

"Grandpa, don’t be mad. It’s okay, I’m already used to it."

At those words, Mr. Ford’s glare at Samuel grew even fiercer. He immediately pulled the child into a hug and refused to let go. "Oh, my poor, poor Colt..."

’He’s actually used to it! That just shows what kind of life he normally leads. He’s like a stepfather to him!’

Samuel, the "stepfather": "..."