Chapter 127: He Doesn’t Look Like a Good Person

At these words, Mr. Ford’s brow twitched. For some reason, he felt there was a hidden meaning in Samuel’s words, but looking at his expression, that didn’t seem likely.

He let out a laugh, composed himself, and said, "Of course. With today’s technology, being out of the country is no big deal. Everything’s just a phone call away."

Samuel Ford said nothing, merely taking a sip of water. "Indeed."

His reaction made it seem like an offhand remark. Mr. Ford mused that he was overthinking things and continued chatting with a smile.

He was cheerful and a gifted conversationalist, and his stories about his years abroad made Mr. Ford and Mrs. Ford quite wistful.

They had originally planned to travel extensively after retiring. After working their whole lives, it was finally time to relax. Unfortunately, life had other plans. Mr. Ford was suddenly hospitalized with a serious condition, so their travel plans were put on hold.

Now, hearing his stories, their interest was piqued again. "Once Ford is out of the hospital, we should go have some fun too."

"Sounds good! We can all go together then. When it comes to business, I can’t hold a candle to my older brother, but when it comes to having fun, I’m a pro." As he spoke, he gave his head a slightly smug shake.

Mrs. Ford couldn’t help but laugh, wagging a finger at him. "You have some nerve. We asked you to come work at the company, but you refused. All you did from morning to night was fool around, never even thinking to help your older brother."

"My brother never needed my help. Besides, all I know is how to have a good time—what help could I possibly be? It’s a good thing you have Samuel. He took over the company directly, and don’t let his age fool you, he’s every bit as capable as my brother."

The conversation turned back to Samuel Ford.

Even when praised, he still showed no reaction.

Seeing him like this, Mrs. Ford sighed. "I almost wish he hadn’t taken over the company. He should be out enjoying his youth. Spending every day at the office will make him old before his time."

’Her older son had been an old soul since he was young, and after taking over the company, he’d become a complete workaholic. Her younger son, on the other hand, was just like his second uncle—never home, always out running wild. If only they could meet somewhere in the middle.’

Perhaps because he was seeing the brother he hadn’t seen in so long, Mr. Ford was in high spirits. He talked with him at length, asking how he had been. He was relieved to hear that everything was going well.

Samuel Ford leaned against the window, not saying much. He would occasionally reach out and ruffle the child’s hair, earning a few angry glares in return.

’Jean Vance had no idea where the man had picked up such a weird habit. Why did he have to keep messing with his hair?’

Pressing his lips together, Jean moved a little farther away. He reached up to smooth his hair back into place, the irritation on his face finally subsiding a little.

Not a moment later, a hand landed on his head again.

Jean Vance couldn’t take it anymore. He slapped Samuel’s hand away. The SLAP was crisp and loud, causing the others to stop their conversation and turn to look, dumbfounded. They had no idea what kind of game the father and son were playing.

Samuel Ford straightened up. "It’s nothing. Please, continue."

Mrs. Ford gave him a suspicious look. Seeing the anger on Colt’s face, she chided, "Don’t you go bullying Colt."

"Of course not," Samuel Ford said flatly, his eyes lowered to Jean Vance. ’So you can’t hold it in any longer? You were so committed to your role as Colt before.’

Mr. Ford watched this, stunned for a moment, then broke into a laugh. "It looks like Samuel and Colt have gotten a lot closer."

’It used to be utter chaos whenever the two of them met. No, to be precise, Felix Ford was just too much of a handful. He was a terror from the moment he woke up, and Samuel’s personality wasn’t one to coddle a child. The father and son would clash the instant they were in the same room.’

’Since when was Samuel in the mood to playfully ruffle a kid’s hair?’

As he thought this, Mr. Ford’s eyes narrowed slightly, masking the look within them.

Samuel Ford shot him an imperceptible glance and said, "I’m taking Colt home. He has school tomorrow."

"Alright, head on home," Mrs. Ford said, walking them to the door. "You don’t need to visit anymore. Dr. Vance says he should be discharged in a little over a month."

"Mm."

The father and son had only taken a couple of steps when they heard Mr. Ford ask who Dr. Vance was. Both of them narrowed their eyes.

Once they were in the car, Jean Vance suddenly spoke up. "That man doesn’t seem like a good person."

"Who? My uncle?"

"Yeah." Jean Vance’s brow was tightly furrowed. "He was smiling the whole time, but I have a gut feeling... I just don’t like him."

’It wasn’t like he’d never met a rich playboy before. Shawn Ford was the perfect example of the sweet and naive type. But this uncle, while his words suggested he was carefree, had ambition hidden in his eyes.’

’I can’t be wrong about this.’

"What’s wrong with him?" Samuel Ford asked, feigning ignorance. "He used to buy you lots of treats and toys. You liked him a lot."

Pressing his lips together, Jean Vance frowned. He knew he didn’t have any evidence yet—it was all just a guess. Still, hearing the man’s dismissive tone annoyed him. And then there was the fact that he’d told him to call the police yesterday, and he hadn’t listened.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to look out the window. "Whatever."

’Believe me or don’t. If he is planning something, it’s aimed at Samuel anyway. What’s it got to do with me?’

’I’m being too nosy.’

’Losing his patience already?’

’That’s not how he was acting before.’

Glancing at him in the rearview mirror, Samuel Ford felt a flicker of surprise. But the situation was too complicated to explain in just a sentence or two, so he said nothing more.

The father and son rode the rest of the way in silence, and the car was completely quiet.

Upon arriving at the Ford residence, Jean Vance walked straight inside without a single glance back at him.

Miss Lynch gave him a strange look and asked Samuel Ford, "Sir, what’s..."

"It’s nothing." Loosening his tie, he glanced at her and said unexpectedly, "Miss Lynch, I seem to recall you used to work at my uncle’s house."

Hearing him suddenly bring up his uncle, Miss Lynch tensed. "Y-yes, I did. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. It’s just that my uncle returned today, and I was planning to invite him for dinner in a couple of days. Since you’re familiar with his tastes, Miss Lynch, I was hoping you could make a few of his favorite dishes."

’Oh, so that’s all it is.’

Miss Lynch breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course."

Samuel Ford nodded and turned away, his eyes darkening. ’He just returned today, yet she doesn’t seem the least bit surprised.’

As the thought crossed his mind, a chill emanated from Samuel Ford, vanishing in an instant before anyone could notice.

Sitting in his study, Samuel Ford mulled things over for a long time before finally making a call. "...I want you to investigate my uncle’s activities in Aridia five years ago. Find out who he met, what he did—everything, no matter how small."

"Understood." The voice on the other end was crisp and efficient.

After hanging up the phone, Samuel Ford tapped his fingers on the desk, his eyes filled with a cold light.

’He remembered now. It was his uncle who had brought Colt back all those years ago.’

’If that’s the case, does that mean he also knows about the other child?’

’If so, why has he never mentioned it?’

’And who was that woman?’

A series of questions surfaced in his mind.

Samuel Ford pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression turning pensive.

’Perhaps I can get some answers out of the child right here in this house.’