Chapter 176: Meeting in the Elevator

Even so, Jean Vance didn’t dare to let his guard down for a second. He knew his visit to Victor Ford today had aroused suspicion. For now, Victor hadn’t made the connection to his mother, but only because it simply hadn’t occurred to him to think in that direction.

Otherwise, the truth would be exposed in an instant.

’No, I have to go back.’

’I have to make Mom be more on guard against Victor Ford.’

"Are you going to the auction later?" Samuel Ford asked again.

Jean Vance shook his head. "Forget it. There might still be watchers here. It’s better if I don’t wander around right now."

"That’s probably for the best. Just stay put here and don’t run off."

"Got it."

Meanwhile, Amanda Vance was asking the same question. "Do you want to go check out the auction?"

Felix Ford shook his head, lying listlessly on the bed and looking up at her pitifully. Who would have thought that he’d get an upset stomach right after a meal?

Amanda Vance felt a little exasperated. She scooped him into her arms and gently poked his forehead. "Who told you to be so greedy? You drank milk and then immediately ate an orange. It’s a wonder your stomach doesn’t hurt."

She hadn’t expected the boy to love oranges so much. She had looked away for just a moment, and he’d eaten one.

’His tastes are completely different from Jean’s.’

"Luckily, you didn’t eat much. You’ll be fine after a little rest. Just lie down obediently and remember to drink some water."

"Okay." Felix Ford spread his arms. "Mommy, hug."

Amanda Vance let out a soft laugh and hugged him. "Alright, Mommy is leaving now. Don’t be scared, and don’t open the door for any strangers. You can watch some TV in the room, and if you miss me, you can send me a message. I’ll reply as soon as I see it."

"Mhm." Since they were in the same hotel, Felix Ford wasn’t too anxious. He knew she was here on important business, so he didn’t cling to her. After a quick hug, he obediently let go. "Go on, Mommy, go do your work. I won’t run around. I’ll wait for you to come back."

As he spoke, he puckered his lips and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Amanda Vance hugged his small, soft body, smelling the faint milky scent on him. Her heart melted. She stroked his head. "Good boy."

Felix Ford nuzzled his head against her palm, then waved with a beaming smile. "Bye-bye, Mommy."

"Bye, I’ll be back soon."

After giving him a kiss on the cheek, Amanda Vance turned to leave, looking back with every few steps.

Hayden Grant leaned against the doorframe, twirling the room key in his fingers. He glanced up, saw their farewell, and couldn’t help but shake his head. "Tsk, look at you two. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were leaving for a long trip. So sappy."

Amanda Vance chuckled. "You’ll understand when you have kids of your own one day."

She too had once thought she would live a carefree life without any ties. Then she met Jean, and she found something to cherish. Now, another little treasure had been added to her life.

Hayden Grant glanced at her sideways. Seeing the gentle smile on her face, he couldn’t help but shiver. "This really isn’t like you. The Megan I know wasn’t like this."

He had never seen her like this before. She had always been a loner, walking through the school grounds with her backpack, completely by herself. She never even looked at people, as if no one could ever capture her heart. But now, someone had.

"People change," Amanda Vance said with a smile.

The first thing Samuel Ford saw as he approached was the two of them chatting happily. His eyes darkened, and he quickened his pace. Seeing the elevator doors about to close, he reached out to block them.

Inside the elevator, Amanda Vance was mid-sentence when she saw a familiar figure. She pressed the open button, and the doors slowly parted. Looking at the man standing outside, she wasn’t too surprised, as she already knew he was here. She just nodded and greeted him with a smile, "President Ford."

"Mm, Dr. Vance." Samuel Ford gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over Hayden Grant before landing back on Amanda Vance. He stepped in and stood slightly in front of her and to her side.

He stood so close that Hayden Grant instinctively took a step back. By the time Hayden realized what had happened, Samuel had already taken his spot, now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Amanda. He even turned back and said a pointed, "Thank you."

Hayden Grant gritted his teeth. ’If he didn’t do that on purpose, I’ll... I’ll rip his head off and use it as a stool!’

’I’ve never seen someone so shameless.’

Hearing the exchange, Amanda Vance glanced over. The moment her head turned, Hayden Grant’s expression changed in a flash. He beamed and said, "You’re welcome."

Seeing them acting this way, Amanda averted her gaze again.

Hayden Grant wanted to find a chance to reclaim his spot, but Samuel was firmly occupying it, giving him no opportunity at all. Defeated, he could only stand sullenly in the back-left corner of the elevator, craning his neck to see her. Before he could say anything, the elevator doors opened again, and a crowd of people got on, pushing him even further back.

The moment the doors opened, Samuel Ford angled his body slightly to let them in, while at the same time discreetly shielding Amanda Vance so that no one bumped into her.

Now, Hayden Grant found himself diagonally opposite from Amanda and Samuel, the furthest possible distance between them in the entire elevator. When he realized this, his face completely darkened.

To make matters worse, Samuel Ford turned his head to glance at him. His expression was calm, but Hayden could feel the hidden smugness and gloating within it. As luck would have it, both men were tall, so even with a crowd between them, they could clearly see each other’s expressions.

’There was no mistaking it.’

The smile on Hayden Grant’s face was impossible to maintain. His expression was as black as thunder, and he ground his back teeth hard enough to break them. ’Fine. Well played!’

He was so angry he laughed, shooting Samuel Ford a challenging look. ’You want to go?’

Samuel Ford’s eyes darkened, and a smirk played on his lips.

’Challenge accepted.’

Sensing the strange tension beside her, Amanda Vance turned her head. "What’s wrong?"

Samuel Ford immediately wiped the aggressive look from his face. "Nothing. Just checking on him. It’s a little crowded with all these people."

Amanda glanced back and saw that it was true. Hayden Grant had been pushed into a corner and looked quite pathetic.

’Well, it can’t be helped,’ she thought. ’There are too many people.’

"We’ll be there soon," was all she could say.

Hayden Grant forced a smile. "Yeah."

’Damn it! And here I thought this guy was some noble gentleman. He looks so righteous, but he resorts to these kinds of tricks. It’s completely childish!’

’And to top it off, Megan actually believed him.’

’That was the most infuriating part. Couldn’t she see it? He was so obviously lying. How could it not be obvious?’

What he didn’t know was that such a thought had never even crossed Amanda’s mind. The only one to blame was Samuel Ford himself, for the overly positive impression he had made on her before. How could she possibly imagine he would do something like this?

It was like a squabble between elementary schoolers.

It was probably because she thought so highly of him that she completely missed the war of looks being waged between the two men.

They soon reached the first floor and the group walked out. Fortunately, Amanda Vance still remembered Hayden Grant and made a point to wait for him after exiting the elevator. This, at least, made him feel a little better.

He hurried over to stand on her other side. He raised an eyebrow at Samuel Ford. ’Go on, try to clone yourself. Otherwise, you only get one side!’

Samuel Ford gave him a cool glance. ’Childish.’

’Not even worth my time.’

This made Hayden Grant even more furious.

’He had seriously underestimated how shameless Samuel Ford could be.’

’He had only himself to blame for judging a book by its cover.’

’Who would have thought someone who looked like that would be capable of such things?’

’Hmph. Men.’