Chapter 123: An Incident

After telling Miss Lynch to tend to other matters, Samuel Ford went to Jean Vance’s room and checked the temperature of the bathwater. It was already the end of October, and the water felt icy to the touch. Even an adult would have a hard time not catching a cold after a chilly bath in this weather, let alone a child.

Samuel Ford’s brow furrowed. He stood before the bathtub for a moment before walking to the window. The matter of the water reminded him of something else.

When he’d come in that morning, the window had been closed, but the room was still terribly cold.

It wasn’t yet time to turn on the heat, but the room shouldn’t have been this chilly. He had just come from another room, and even he had shivered when he first walked in. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now it struck him as odd.

’This window must have been open all night.’

’It was probably only closed just before morning.’

’That would explain why the room was so cold when I first came in.’

’But why?’

Samuel Ford couldn’t make sense of it. His gaze inadvertently fell upon his phone screen, which was still open to the recent call. ’Could that be it?’

’When I told him we were going out on Saturday, he certainly didn’t look happy about it.’

’But that makes even less sense. Didn’t he used to adore Amanda Vance? Why would he be so against it?’

A flood of strange inconsistencies surfaced in his mind, causing Samuel Ford’s brow to knit even tighter.

Many things seemed fine at first glance, but when he put them all together, certain parts didn’t add up. They were illogical, even self-contradictory. He couldn’t help but wonder, ’Is this really the same person?’

The moment the thought occurred to him, his brow twitched.

’How could I even think that?’

’If he’s not one person, what could he be? Two?’

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Samuel Ford pushed aside the jumble of thoughts. His gaze swept the room and suddenly landed on something.

He slowly approached the desk and picked up the notebook on top. Instantly, his vision was filled with scrawled characters, each stroke seeming to have a mind of its own. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he snapped the notebook shut.

He glanced at the neatly organized desk. ’Some improvement, at least,’ he thought. ’But the handwriting is as atrocious as ever.’

Meanwhile, after Amanda Vance hung up the phone, Felix Ford immediately scooted closer. "Mom, are they not coming today?"

No matter how he tried to hide it, Amanda Vance could see his cheerful excitement. She shook her head with a helpless smile and pinched his cheek. "You’re that happy, are you?"

’Of course I am! As long as Mom and Dad don’t find out about us, I can stay with Mom forever. I don’t want to be with Dad at all.’

But he knew that in his mother’s eyes, he was supposed to be good friends with the other boy. His eyes darted around, and he shook his head, deliberately feigning a worried expression. "No, not at all. I was just wondering... how did he get sick? The poor thing."

Amanda Vance watched his clumsy performance, feeling a little speechless.

But children’s feelings were simple. They wanted to be with the people they liked all the time and wouldn’t even spare a glance for those they didn’t. She decided not to press the issue. Saying too much could just make a child rebellious. It was better to let them sort out their own disagreements.

As for now... she glanced at the child who was still pretending to be sad, shook her head, and ruffled his hair. "It’s okay. Colt just has a common cold and a fever. It’s not serious. He’ll be better in a couple of days, so don’t you worry."

Hearing this, Felix Ford’s feigned sadness instantly vanished. He patted his small chest. "Oh, good! That’s great. Now I can rest easy."

Amanda Vance shot him a look but said nothing.

Felix Ford chuckled, feeling a little guilty. He had a feeling his mom could see right through him. He slyly inched his fingers onto her arm, and when she didn’t pull away, he wrapped his arms around it. "Mom, are we still going to the park today?"

His eyes were filled with anticipation, and Amanda Vance couldn’t bear to refuse him. She nodded. "We’re going."

"Yay!" Felix Ford cheered, his eyes curving into crescents as he smiled.

Amanda Vance smiled along with him and gave his chin a little scratch. "Sit tight."

She had pulled the car over to take the call. They hadn’t even reached the amusement park yet.

"Okay." Felix Ford sat back down obediently, his short legs swinging slowly, radiating pure delight.

’He suddenly recalled Jean Vance saying yesterday that he would like the outcome. Was this what he meant? He was truly happy to be able to spend the day alone with his mom.’

’It’s just too bad he had to go through all that trouble.’

Jean Vance had to agree—this method was a bit extreme. He wouldn’t have done it if he had another choice. Having a cold was genuinely miserable. Fortunately, after a long nap, his fever had broken.

The moment his eyes fluttered open, he sensed another presence in the room. He froze for a second, then his gaze shifted to the tall figure standing with his back to him.

Sensing his gaze, Samuel Ford turned around. "You’re awake."

"Yeah." Jean Vance pushed himself up into a sitting position. He felt the man walk toward him but didn’t move.

He checked his temperature with a forehead thermometer. It was back to normal. Samuel Ford let out a sigh of relief. Recalling what Miss Lynch had told him, he couldn’t puzzle it out, so he decided to ask directly. "Why did you get yourself sick on purpose?"

’He knows?’

Jean Vance was startled. His hand clenched beneath the covers. He struggled to keep his breathing even, trying not to give himself away, and furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about?"

’Still not admitting it.’

Just as Samuel Ford was about to speak, his phone rang. He answered, and whatever the person on the other end said made his face darken. "Yes, I understand. I’m on my way."

After hanging up, he explained to Jean Vance, "There’s an emergency at the office. I have to head back."

Jean Vance looked indifferent; it was no concern of his where the man went. But just as he had that thought, he heard Samuel say, "You’re coming to the office with me."

Jean Vance’s brow furrowed deeper. "What for?"

"I can’t leave you here by yourself."

’Who knew if he would go soak in cold water again or pull some other stunt? There was no one at home who could handle him. After a moment’s thought, he decided it was best to take him to the office.’

Jean Vance didn’t know what he was thinking, but he could see the man’s resolve. This wasn’t a negotiation; it was an order.

’Remembering the man’s earlier question,’ Jean Vance wondered, ’Does he know my identity?’

’Is that why he wants to keep me by his side? To watch me?’

Jean Vance’s fingers drummed lightly. His eyes narrowed. "Fine."

’I’ll just have to see what he’s planning.’

The father and son each harbored their own suspicions. And though they had misinterpreted each other’s motives, the outcome was the same.

They changed their clothes, and the two of them headed to the office.

"President Ford." Assistant Young was already waiting outside the office, his expression anxious. He hurried forward to greet him, but just as he called out, he saw Jean Vance get out of the car as well.

He froze, stammering, "Y-Young Master?"

’Why did he bring the young master here?’

Without offering an explanation, Samuel Ford looked up at him. "What happened?"

Assistant Young snapped back to attention and quickly recounted the situation. The two men walked and talked, their expressions grave.

Jean Vance followed behind them, stroking his chin nonchalantly.

’Hmm, a problem with a company project?’