Chapter 179: Tied for First

Now with the Jade Pendant in her hand, it looked even more distinct than in the drawing. Amanda Vance examined it closely, growing more certain of her initial theory.

This Jade Pendant was, indeed, one of a pair with the one her mother had given her.

On top of that, coming here today had yielded another discovery.

Mr. Sullivan...

’Mr. Sullivan...’ Amanda Vance silently repeated the name. She looked up at Samuel Ford and asked, "President Ford, do you know Mr. Sullivan?"

Samuel Ford shook his head. "I was only two or three years old when Mr. Sullivan left the country, so I never met him. My dad just happens to like his work, so I know a little about him."

’Mr. Ford?’ A thought stirred in Amanda’s mind. She had investigated her mother’s past and knew that the further back one went, the harder it was to find information. Hearing Samuel’s account, Mr. Sullivan had left the country before she was even born, so there was probably nothing she could learn from that angle.

’But if I ask Mr. Ford, I might be able to learn something.’

’Then again, she recalled Mr. Ford’s attitude toward her and hesitated. He clearly didn’t want to see her right now. Going to him with questions would likely be a thankless task.’

But she couldn’t just give up on the first real clue she’d found. After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke up. "President Ford, could I trouble you for something?"

He seemed to guess what was on her mind. Samuel Ford nodded and answered before she even had to ask, "My dad is home every day. Dr. Vance, you can come by anytime."

Amanda’s face lit up. "Would it be convenient to visit tomorrow?"

’So eager?’ Samuel Ford’s eyes fell on the Jade Pendant in her hand. ’This pendant must be really important to her.’ At that thought, he nodded. "Yes."

"That’s wonderful. Thank you, President Ford."

Samuel Ford shook his head. He hadn’t really done anything to deserve her thanks.

After he left, Hayden Grant was still indignant. "Megan, my grandfather might know that Mr. Sullivan fellow, too! Why aren’t you coming to my house?"

Amanda Vance hesitated. "I doubt he would, right?"

She’d never gotten the sense that Mr. Grant had any appreciation for art; his house was filled with things like swords, spears, and halberds.

Thinking of his own rough-and-tumble grandfather, Hayden Grant fell silent. He felt like crying but couldn’t shed a tear. He’d never imagined his own grandpa would be the one holding him back. If only the old man had a more artistic hobby! Now, all he could do was watch helplessly as that cunning Samuel Ford got closer to Megan.

Pent-up with frustration and nowhere to vent it, Hayden Grant’s head drooped in dejection.

Seeing him like that, Amanda Vance sighed. She didn’t know what to say, so she just pretended not to notice and changed the subject.

Hayden Grant’s expression brightened a little, but he was still clearly listless.

The hotel room was booked until the next day. Since it was already late, they could either go home now or stay the night and leave in the morning.

’The children must be tired by now,’ she thought. ’Tomorrow’s Sunday, so there’s no school for them and no work for me.’ They might as well just spend the night at the hotel.

Back in the room, Amanda Vance was about to speak when her eyes met those of the child inside. The moment their gazes locked, she recognized him instantly. It was Jean.

Raising an eyebrow, Amanda Vance walked over to him. "So, you decided to come back?"

Jean had missed her terribly. Her direct question made his heart flutter for a second, but then his lips curved into a smile. He looked up at her, his voice softening. "Mom, I missed you so much."

It had been too long. Even knowing he could take care of himself, she couldn’t help but worry. Hearing him say that, she could no longer hold back and bent down to scoop the boy into her arms.

Breathing in her sweet scent, Jean, who prided himself on being a little man, felt a bit awkward being held. Still, that feeling couldn’t overcome how much he’d missed her. He pressed his face to her shoulder and nuzzled her affectionately.

Amanda Vance stroked his head, her voice gentle. "Have you been okay all this time?"

Jean nodded. "Mhm, I’ve been fine. I’m sorry, Mom, for not telling you sooner."

He hadn’t told her where he’d gone, or that he had found his brother.

Remembering what Felix Ford had said earlier, he pursed his lips, a complicated expression in his eyes.

He didn’t need to say more; a mother’s intuition told Amanda Vance what was on his mind. She didn’t care who the father was; she only cared about the other boy.

"It’s all right, I’m not mad at you. Actually, speaking of this, there’s something I want to discuss with you."

Hearing this, Jean climbed down from her arms, pulled over a chair for himself, and sat on it. His spine was ramrod straight, his expression was serious, and his small hands were placed neatly on his lap. "Go ahead, Mom."

He looked as if he were preparing for a serious business meeting.

’Still the same little stick-in-the-mud.’

Amanda Vance couldn’t help but chuckle. She stopped teasing her son and said, "You know that boy is your brother. I want him to come live with us. Would that be okay?"

Jean nodded without hesitation.

Seeing this, Amanda Vance raised an eyebrow. "Aren’t you worried I’ll give him all my attention once he’s here?"

He was still a child, after all. Her words made him panic for a moment, and he looked at her nervously. "Will you, Mom?"

Seeing his reaction, Amanda Vance instantly regretted her joke. It wasn’t appropriate at all. ’Look what I’ve done,’ she thought, ’I’ve scared him.’

She shook her head. "Of course not. You’re both my children, and I love you both equally."

Jean finally breathed a sigh of relief. He seemed to guess why she’d said that, and a faint smile touched his lips. He said, "Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’m okay with it. I won’t get jealous."

He paused, then added, "I’ll try my best not to get jealous."

’After all, he’d had his mother all to himself. Sharing her with someone else would definitely require an adjustment period. He couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t feel jealous at all.’

’He was reluctant to share his mother and had many reservations, but if that person was Felix Ford... he could accept it.’

’He had often wondered what the twin brother he’d spent ten months with would look like. Truthfully, Felix Ford was very different from what he had imagined, but he didn’t dislike him. This little brother was a bit dumb, sure, but he wasn’t mean to him.’

’For the sake of all the tasty snacks he brought, he would grudgingly accept him.’

’The most important reason he was willing to accept him, though, was that Felix Ford had never shown any desire to have their mother all to himself.’

That was probably because he’d never been with their mother before. He’d set his expectations very low; just finding her was enough to make him happy. For him, having another brother to share her with wasn’t such a difficult thing to accept.

It was strange, really. The normally bossy Felix Ford was surprisingly open-minded about the matter. Instead, it was Jean, the usually well-behaved and sensible one, who had needed a long time to prepare himself mentally.

Amanda Vance was completely charmed by her son’s earnest little expression. She couldn’t help but pull him back into her arms, kiss his forehead, and ruffle his hair. "Don’t worry," she said, "I’ll try my best to be a fair mom. You’re both my favorite children, tied for first place."

Jean smiled, his lips pressed together. Then, remembering what she had just done, his expression suddenly froze.

He reached up to touch his now-messy hair, completely stunned.

’Well, there he is,’ she thought. ’The little neat-freak stick-in-the-mud is back.’

Seeing his expression, Amanda Vance couldn’t help but burst out laughing.