Chapter 175: A Newborn Calf Fears No Tiger

He had seen it, after all.

Jean Vance’s expression tightened. "The security footage..."

"I’ve already erased it."

Hearing this, Jean relaxed slightly. ’It’s not good that he knows, but it’s better than Victor Ford finding out. At least Samuel Ford won’t hurt me.’

Samuel Ford stared at his reaction, seeming to understand something. His brow furrowed even more. "So, you were investigating him?"

On the footage, he thought he’d seen Jean toss something inside. The action was so slight it was hard to be sure, but Jean had stopped abruptly at Victor Ford’s door, and a moment later, Victor came chasing out. He was clearly after Jean. The boy must have done something.

Seeing that he had guessed, Jean didn’t hide it, nodding. "I threw a listening device into his room."

’It was a super-miniature one, very hard to spot,’ Jean thought. ’I was probably just in too much of a hurry and didn’t have time to plan properly. I must have thrown it in a bad spot, right where he would step on it. That’s how he found it.’

Rocco gasped, his eyes wide as he stared at the boy. ’He threw what? A listening device? Does the little master have a death wish?! No wonder Mr. Ford was chasing him. He must have overheard something huge. I’ve learned a bit about that man recently. That Mr. Ford is far from simple—he’s a very complicated figure. Even the boss wouldn’t dare make a move against him lightly. And this kid, who’s only five, dared to toss a bug into his room?!’

’Is this what they mean by "fools rush in"?’

His reaction was so dramatic that Samuel Ford shot him a look. Rocco immediately snapped his mouth shut and obediently stepped out, not forgetting to close the door behind him. He stood outside, staring straight ahead and minding his own business, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing while his mind reeled from the revelation.

Samuel Ford didn’t know what to say either. He had thought this child was calm and sensible, but it turned out he was even more of a troublemaker than Colt.

He either stayed quiet or went for something huge.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he asked, "So, what did you hear?"

Jean Vance pressed his lips together, remaining silent. ’I’m almost certain now,’ he thought. ’Victor Ford is the one pulling the strings.’

’I recognized his voice, even if it sounded a little different from when I met him. And based on what Miss Lynch said—"Mr. Ford"—there’s no one else in the Ford family who would be called that, aside from Samuel Ford and the old Mr. Ford. Besides, I felt there was something off about him the first time I saw him.’

He just couldn’t figure out what kind of grudge Victor had against his mom.

’I used to think his grudge was only with Samuel Ford, and that’s why he wanted to kidnap Felix Ford. But from the sounds of it, he hates Mom, too.’

’But according to Mom’s background files, she’s never had any dealings with the Ford family.’

’Or maybe she just doesn’t know that she knows them? Is it possible the connection isn’t with her directly, but with someone she knows? Who could it be?’

He couldn’t figure it out, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

Seeing his expression, Samuel Ford’s brow furrowed as well. "What did you figure out?"

Hearing his voice, Jean Vance looked up and said faintly, "Nothing."

At that, Samuel Ford’s brow tightened even more. "I’ll be straight with you. Victor Ford is not as simple as you think. You’ve already alerted him. If you don’t tell me what’s going on, I can’t protect you."

"Didn’t you already destroy the footage?"

’So, he won’t be able to trace it back to me.’

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Samuel Ford was at his wit’s end with him. "Then you must be extremely careful," he said in a low voice. "Remember, you’re only five years old. It’s not embarrassing to ask an adult for help with things you can’t handle."

’Mom often says that too.’

His fingers curled slightly, then Jean calmed down again, nodding. "Mm, I know."

He wouldn’t gamble with his mom’s safety, but he just couldn’t figure out the connection between Victor Ford and his mom.

Not long after, Samuel Ford’s phone rang. He answered it, and after listening to the other person, he showed no reaction. It was only to be expected.

Seeing Jean looking at him, he didn’t hide it. "Victor Ford has fled."

Jean was stunned for a moment, his heart tightening. "Did I tip him off?"

"No." Samuel Ford shook his head, and he wasn’t just saying it to comfort him. "Even without you, he would have run. He had already arranged his departure in advance."

After his father’s health scare the other day, Victor vanished. It took Samuel a long time to track him here. Coming to a hotel isn’t a smart move right now; it’s too public, and he could easily be spotted. The fact that he came here anyway means he must have had a reason.

That’s why Samuel hadn’t alerted him. He just watched from the shadows, wanting to see what he was up to.

And what was the result? He just gave a Jade Pendant to the auction house and left?

’Jade Pendant... auction...’

As he repeated those two words in his mind, Samuel Ford suddenly remembered that Amanda Vance was also coming to the hotel today for the auction.

If Victor Ford planned on pulling some kind of stunt at the auction... His heart sank. He called Assistant Young. "Cancel tonight’s meeting. And get me an invitation to the auction."

On the other end of the line, Assistant Young was surprised. President Ford knew how important this meeting was. Why would he bail halfway through?

He had been President Ford’s assistant since he graduated, and this was the first time he’d ever encountered such a situation.

Although his duties dictated that he should try to persuade President Ford, Assistant Young heard the tone in his voice and decided against it. "Understood," he said.

’For a workaholic like President Ford to make this kind of decision, something major must have happened.’

’And the auction... he was so clear about not going before, but now he suddenly changes his mind. Is it because of something there that interests him? Or someone?’

Though his mind was racing with gossip, he didn’t slow down, quickly delivering the invitation to Samuel’s room.

Jean had been very surprised when he heard him mention the Jade Pendant just now.

He knew his mom was also at the hotel; Felix Ford had told him. It went without saying that she was here for the Jade Pendant.

’Is the Jade Pendant the person on the phone mentioned the same one Mom is looking for?’

He was frantic with worry but couldn’t ask Samuel Ford directly. A man that smart would immediately figure out who he and his mom were.

Fortunately, when Assistant Young delivered the invitation, he also brought an auction catalog. Jean didn’t have to ask; Samuel Ford had already opened it and started flipping through.

Jean feigned curiosity and sidled closer. He watched as Samuel flipped to the page with the Jade Pendant and stopped. When Jean saw the image of the pendant, his pupils constricted. He quickly lowered his gaze to hide his shock, clenching his fists. Once he had his emotions under control, he looked up at Samuel Ford and asked, "What are you going to the auction for?"

"Not for anything special." Samuel Ford casually closed the catalog. His expression was blank, making his thoughts unreadable. "Just to take a look. Is there anything you want? I can bid on it for you."

Jean shook his head. "No."

"Is that so? I thought this Jade Pendant was quite nice. I was thinking of bidding on it for you. But since you don’t like it, never mind."

Sensing the probing nature of his words, Jean’s expression didn’t change. He met Samuel’s gaze steadily, without a trace of evasion. "If you like it, buy it. You don’t have to ask me."

Samuel Ford studied him for a long moment before finally averting his gaze. "Hm," he grunted.