Chapter 147: What Does He Want Him to See?

"Achoo—" Samuel Ford suddenly sneezed.

Jean Vance looked up at him. "Caught a cold?"

"No." His nose just suddenly felt a little itchy. He turned to look at the little figure on the sofa and asked, "Are you not planning on going to school anymore?"

Jean Vance lowered his head again, tapping his phone a few times without looking up. "I’ve already learned all that stuff."

In fact, he was already studying high school textbooks. If the college entrance exams didn’t require students to progress grade by grade, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to take them next year.

He had only been willing to stay with those childish kids because his mother wanted him to go to school. Now that his mother wasn’t around, there was no need to go anymore.

As he thought this, his fingers began to move even faster across the screen.

Samuel Ford sat behind his desk, too far away to see what Jean was doing. He only saw the boy’s hand constantly tapping the screen and assumed he was playing a game. He narrowed his eyes. "Since that’s the case, come to the company with me."

"Why would I go to the company?" Jean’s tone was flat, clearly showing his lack of interest.

"There’s a bidding conference today. Want to go?"

’A bidding conference? The project whose proposal was leaked?’

The thought reminded him of how Samuel had ignored his advice to call the police, and he let out a cold snort. "Sure, I’ll go."

’Let’s see just how he’s going to handle this.’

Seeing right through him, Samuel Ford said nothing more. "Let’s go."

The air outside was colder than it had been in the past few days. Seeing that the child was dressed warmly enough, Samuel Ford finally led him to the car.

They didn’t go to the office, but straight to another building where the bidding conference was being held. Assistant Young was already waiting by the entrance. As soon as he saw them arrive, he quickly strode forward, opened the car door, and said respectfully, "President Ford."

"Mm." After getting out of the car, Samuel Ford didn’t walk away immediately but turned to look at the other side.

Slightly surprised, Assistant Young guessed what was happening and was smart enough not to ask.

Sure enough, a moment later he saw Jean Vance emerge from the other side of the car, dressed in a small suit, his posture perfectly straight. The big and small faces once again seemed to overlap.

’The young master and President Ford really are looking more and more alike.’

His mind wandered for only a second before Assistant Young snapped back to attention. "This way, President Ford."

"Has everyone arrived?"

Assistant Young nodded. "Everyone’s here."

"Mm."

Noticing that his boss wasn’t walking quickly, Assistant Young subtly slowed his own pace. A glance at the child beside them made him understand.

The three of them took the elevator to the top floor and ran into another man right at the entrance to the conference room.

He was a middle-aged man with a beer belly and a set of yellow teeth. His already small eyes looked even smaller, squeezed by the fleshy folds of his face. When he saw Samuel Ford, he smiled, baring his teeth in a grimace that made him look even more unpleasant.

The man, however, seemed completely unaware of this. Instead, with a smug look in his eyes, he raised his eyebrows at Samuel Ford. "President Ford, who do you think will win today’s bid?"

Samuel Ford gave him a cool glance. "What’s the matter, President Lynch? Haven’t you seen the financial reports from the past few years?"

Ever since Samuel Ford took over as CEO of the Ford Group, the company has always been number one—unshakable, its position never wavering.

It was rumored in the industry that the only one who could break the Ford Group’s records was the Ford Group itself.

The Ford Group’s revenue was still increasing every year. Who wouldn’t be envious?

President Lynch certainly was, but more than envious, he was jealous.

Hearing his words now, he couldn’t be bothered to keep up the act. He gritted his teeth. "You’re quite confident, President Ford."

"It’s also backed by strength. If I weren’t confident, I’m afraid it would make things difficult for everyone else."

’Heh.’

’Just listen to him. If he, the number one, isn’t confident about winning, does that mean the rest of us aren’t even worthy?’

’The nerve of him!’

President Lynch’s expression darkened for a moment. Then, remembering something, he quickly started smiling again. "Well then, I wish President Ford the best of luck in achieving his desire."

"Thank you, President Lynch."

’Who wants his thanks? I despise this attitude of his more than anything. I saw through him long ago. He’s a wolf, ruthless in his methods and anything but a good person.’

’I just regret not seeing his true nature sooner. I’ve suffered quite a few losses at his hands.’

’But this time, I will have my revenge!’

Giving him one last look, President Lynch sneered. ’Let’s see how long his arrogance lasts.’

President Lynch stormed into the room.

Jean Vance looked up at Samuel Ford. "That’s him?"

He didn’t specify what he was talking about, but Samuel Ford understood and nodded.

Seeing that his father’s face was completely expressionless, without even a hint of anger, Jean raised an eyebrow. "You’re not angry?"

"Anger is useless. It’s better to watch others get angry than to get angry yourself."

With that, he also walked inside.

Jean mulled over his words, not quite understanding what he meant.

Assistant Young prompted, "Young Master, we should go in."

There was a lounge area available, but he figured that since President Ford had brought the young master, he surely intended to take him inside. So, he acted accordingly.

Sure enough, Samuel Ford didn’t say anything when he saw Jean enter. Next to him was a child’s booster seat, obviously prepared in advance by the event organizers who had been informed.

The expressions of the others at the table turned a bit strange.

’Samuel Ford actually brought his kid to a business negotiation? What does he think this is, a playground?’

In an instant, displeased glances, both subtle and overt, were cast in his direction.

As if completely oblivious, Samuel Ford looked down at Jean and asked, "What do you want to drink? Milk or juice?"

"Juice."

"Mm." Samuel Ford looked at Assistant Young.

Assistant Young understood immediately. He returned shortly with juice and a fruit platter, which held cut fruit and some small snacks.

However, they were all snacks that wouldn’t make any noise or have a strong smell when eaten.

It was a conference room, after all. It wouldn’t do to make a commotion.

Even so, the sight still irked the others. One of the more hot-tempered ones snorted and said sarcastically, "Is this a bidding conference or a parent-teacher conference? Why is it so lively in here?"

Samuel Ford glanced at the speaker and said coolly, "Mr. Owens, if you can’t even figure out the nature of this meeting, then why did you bother coming?"

"You!" Mr. Owens’s face changed, and he shot Samuel a hateful glare.

’What the hell is wrong with Samuel Ford? Didn’t the rumors say he didn’t care about his son? Bringing him to a bidding conference—is this what not caring looks like?’

Jean was also wondering why his father had brought him along.

He had been the one to ask, and Samuel had agreed. But seeing this brand-new booster seat made him feel that things weren’t so simple. It seemed his father had known all along that he would agree to come.

The speculation sounded a bit absurd. After all, today wasn’t a weekend. If his father knew he was coming, it would mean he had anticipated that Jean wouldn’t go to school.

’Did he predict even that?’

Jean frowned, suddenly realizing he couldn’t quite figure this man out.

He lowered his gaze, his index finger unconsciously rubbing against his thumb. The slight friction created a faint warmth on his fingertips.

A guess began to form in Jean’s mind. ’Did he bring me here because he wants me to watch this bidding conference?’

’But wasn’t the Ford Group’s proposal stolen? I haven’t seen him create a new one, so what does he want me to see?’