Chapter 132: He Looks Familiar

"President Ford?" Amanda Vance had just finished cooking when she heard a noise behind her. She turned and saw him with wet hair, as if he’d just showered. Noticing the dark circles under his eyes, she asked in surprise, "Didn’t you sleep well last night, President Ford?"

Last night...

Samuel Ford looked up at her. She was wearing an apron while cooking, one with a cartoon character on it—probably because there was a child in the house. That, combined with the spatula in her hand, gave her an unexpectedly domestic air, melting away much of her usual cool demeanor. When she mentioned last night, those intimate images instantly flooded his mind.

His Adam’s apple bobbed almost imperceptibly. Realizing his own reaction, he abruptly lowered his head and said casually, "Yeah, I guess I’m just not used to the bed."

’Huh? Not used to the bed?’

’Isn’t this his house?’

Amanda studied him suspiciously for a few moments, then was surprised to notice his ears were a little red. Her gaze shifted to his still-damp hair, and understanding dawned.

’Just a normal physiological reaction.’

She didn’t mention it again, simply setting the bowls on the table. "Come and eat, President Ford."

"Okay."

Samuel Ford walked over and sat down. She had made simple home-cooked dishes, but they tasted excellent.

The image of her in the apron, looking so gentle and graceful, involuntarily surfaced in his mind again.

Recalling the gentle look on her face whenever she mentioned her child, he could guess what she was like in private—very gentle, not at all like the cold, stiff person she was with strangers.

’She’s a great mother.’

’She’d probably be a great wife, too.’

The breakfast was comforting, so much better than bread and coffee. He couldn’t help but have a greedy thought: ’It would be nice if I could have a breakfast like this every day from now on.’

The moment that thought crossed his mind, he was startled. ’How could I have such an idea!’

Amanda Vance, unaware of his thoughts, saw him suddenly freeze and waved a hand in front of his eyes. "President Ford?"

’He seems strange today, so absent-minded.’

Her voice snapped Samuel Ford back to his senses. He looked at her concerned expression, then thought about what had just been on his mind, and suddenly felt sordid.

"It’s nothing. I have something to take care of, so I’ll head out now."

"Alright."

The words had barely left her mouth when he was already at the door. For some reason, his retreating back looked as if he were fleeing in disarray.

’Is it just my imagination?’

Amanda Vance blinked. Just then, her phone pinged, and she pushed the matter aside, smiling as she looked down at the message on the screen.

’Jean is getting more and more lively.’

’That’s great.’

Once Samuel Ford was outside, the cold wind cleared his head a bit. Recalling what had just happened, his cool, stern expression suddenly cracked. ’Was that person just now... me?’

**

「At the hospital.」

Mrs. Ford turned to look at him again, finally unable to hold back. "Samuel, don’t you have to go to work today?"

Samuel Ford didn’t look up, continuing to type on his laptop. "No, I don’t."

Mrs. Ford fell silent. After a moment, she spoke again, "Why don’t you just go to work? I can take care of things here."

’There isn’t even a proper desk at the hospital. He’s just hunched over with his laptop... it looks exhausting just watching him. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He has a perfectly good company to run, but he insists on wasting his time here. He’s acting so strange.’

’It’s as if something at the hospital is drawing him in. But that can’t be right. What could possibly be at a hospital? Who would hang around a hospital for no reason?’

’Something’s not right.’

It has to be said, a woman’s sixth sense is usually spot on. Mrs. Ford firmly believed in her intuition and secretly observed him. Even though he said nothing, she still felt something was fishy.

The sound of light footsteps approached. Samuel Ford’s hands paused for a fraction of a second before he resumed typing, only much slower than before.

"Mr. Ford, Mrs. Ford."

"Oh!" Mrs. Ford immediately turned, enthusiastically going over and taking Amanda Vance’s hand. "You’re here, Megan."

Her attitude was that of someone greeting a close junior, not a doctor making her rounds.

"Mm." Sensing her kindness, Amanda Vance gave a light laugh. "I’m here to check on Mr. Ford."

Mr. Ford was about to undergo his final treatment, so she was paying extra attention to his condition. Proper preparatory work was essential to ensure everything went smoothly and effectively.

"Alright, thank you so much," Mrs. Ford said with a smile.

"It’s no trouble. It’s my job."

After taking Mr. Ford’s pulse, Amanda Vance nodded. "His body is responding very well to the conditioning. We can proceed with the original plan."

Mrs. Ford’s eyes lit up. "So, Megan, after this treatment, will he be more or less fully recovered?"

"You could say that. The later stage will just be about recuperation. Another thing is that Mr. Ford must maintain a positive mood and not get angry. For his condition, getting agitated is the worst thing you can do."

Mr. Ford nodded. He knew all this and was well aware of what to do.

Seeing this, Amanda Vance was relieved. ’There was never really anything to worry about. Mr. Ford has navigated the business world for so many years and has seen it all. How could he possibly get worked up over some trivial matter?’

The old headmaster had already been discharged, so for now, Mr. Ford was the only inpatient she was in charge of. Her workload wasn’t too heavy.

Just as she was about to leave, someone walked in from outside.

Mr. Ford arrived carrying bags of all sizes, just like last time. "Big Brother!" he called out as he entered. Noticing there was another person in the ward, he paused. "And this is?"

"This is the attending physician treating your big brother, Dr. Vance. We really have her to thank for his recovery. Don’t be fooled by her youth; her medical skills are exceptional," Mrs. Ford praised as she took the things from his hands.

Mr. Ford gave Amanda Vance a long, hard look. "She certainly is young."

’That tone...’

Amanda Vance glanced sideways at him, but he had already looked away. She gave him a cool glance, nodded to Mrs. Ford and the others, and headed out.

"I’ll walk you out."

She had only taken two steps when the deep male voice sounded. Amanda Vance glanced to the side slightly but didn’t refuse.

Every time she came for rounds, he would walk her out if he was there.

’Without realizing it, she had grown somewhat used to it.’

Thinking of the man she had just seen, she asked casually, "Was that man just now a relative of yours?"

’She’d heard him call ’Big Brother’ when he came in.’

"Yeah, that’s my second uncle. Why?"

"Oh, it’s nothing. He just looked a little familiar." She couldn’t recall where she might have seen him. Shaking her head, she figured it was probably because he resembled the rest of the Ford Family; seeing Samuel Ford and Mr. Ford all the time must have been why he felt familiar.

She put her hands in the pockets of her white coat. "You don’t have to walk me any further, President Ford. My office is right around the corner."

Her office was indeed just around the corner, so Samuel Ford didn’t insist. "Alright. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Only after watching her leave did Samuel Ford turn and walk back.

Back in the hospital room, Mr. Ford also brought her up. "That doctor really is quite young."

"Yes, and her skills are incredible. The student has truly surpassed the master. You’re not home often, so you probably don’t know, but even Lynch has acknowledged her as his teacher. That shows you how amazing she really is."

"Is that so?" Now Mr. Ford was genuinely surprised. Then, as if remembering something, he added with feigned casualness, "Samuel seems to get along well with her, too. I’ve never seen him walk anyone out before."

"Of course." At the mention of this, Mrs. Ford’s eyes crinkled into a smile, and she gave him a wink. "Megan is so wonderful. Who wouldn’t like her?"

’So that’s how it is?’

A flicker went through Mr. Ford’s eyes, and he smiled along with her.