Chapter 51: Unreliable

Amanda Vance didn’t know who they were talking about, but she guessed it was probably that young master of the Ford family.

Her phone was face down on the table, and only then did Samuel Ford slowly look away.

’Maybe all little kids sound the same.’

’Her phone had clearly shown a message window with Hayden Grant just now. The voice he heard... that must have been her child, right? But what did he call Hayden Grant? Uncle?’

Seeing he wasn’t speaking, Amanda Vance asked again, "President Ford?"

Shawn Ford also looked at him strangely. "Brother, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing." Samuel Ford shook his head and glanced at Amanda Vance. "My apologies for interrupting."

’How strange.’

Amanda Vance shook her head nonchalantly.

"Bro, did you think that voice just now sounded like Colt’s?"

Shawn Ford asked in a low voice, seeing his brother’s expression was off.

"You thought so too?"

"Yeah, but I think most little kids sound like that. Isn’t Colt at home? How could he possibly be on Amanda Vance’s phone? It must be our imagination."

Samuel Ford didn’t say anything, tacitly agreeing with him.

There were no specific activities in the afternoon, so everyone could wander around the school freely. Some chose to visit their old teachers.

No. 1 High was the best school in the city. Teachers fought tooth and nail to get a position there. The benefits were excellent, and once hired, few ever left, with most staying until retirement.

Amanda Vance also saw her homeroom teacher from back then, but the teacher’s gaze toward her wasn’t very friendly. Amanda didn’t try to approach, just watching from a distance as her former classmates gathered around the teacher. After a moment of silence, she looked away and turned to leave.

Today, many people would also be donating to the school for development. Every contribution would be clearly recorded, public and transparent, ensuring the school wouldn’t misappropriate a single cent.

Donors would also receive a medal as a memento.

She stared at the photos of past school leaders on the wall, her gaze lingering on one for a long time. Then she walked to the donation box. There was no one around. She took a check from her bag, slipped it inside, and left without a sound.

After she left, Samuel Ford emerged from behind a wall. Shawn Ford peeked out from behind him, watching her retreating figure with a puzzled expression. "Bro, what do you think she came here for? To donate? But the teacher in charge of registration isn’t here right now. She just left without signing up?"

’Is this what they call doing a good deed without seeking recognition?’

He scratched his head, suddenly feeling like he couldn’t quite figure her out.

’It’s obvious she has no fond feelings for this school, which is normal. After all, this place holds dark memories for her. If it were me, I probably wouldn’t come back for the rest of my life. But she actually donated?’

Samuel Ford didn’t answer him. He walked over and looked at the photos on the wall, giving one a thoughtful glance.

After slipping in a check of his own, Samuel Ford turned and left.

Shawn Ford hurried to catch up. "Brother, are we heading back now?"

"Yeah."

’There’s a performance tonight,’ Shawn thought, but remembering his brother never watched those things, he swallowed his words and followed obediently behind him.

Outside the gate, Samuel Ford’s eyes swept the area. Amanda Vance’s car was already gone.

He lowered his gaze and walked toward his car.

Amanda Vance had no interest in the remaining activities. She suddenly realized that having Shirley Vance around wasn’t so bad after all; at least it made things a little more interesting. Without her, Amanda had no desire to stay any longer.

She clicked her tongue. ’Who knew I was so fond of her.’

After swinging by the supermarket to buy some food, she returned home. The moment she opened the door, she was greeted by a complete mess on the floor. The voices of one big person and one small person reached her ears. Her mouth twitched as she walked inside.

The two were sitting cross-legged on the floor, building with Legos. Felix Ford’s small hand smacked Hayden’s. "Not that one!" he said with disdain. "You grabbed the wrong one again, Uncle. How can you be so dumb?"

A vein throbbed on Hayden Grant’s temple as he gritted his teeth. "That’s enough out of you."

’It’s just endless, isn’t it? How many times has he insulted me already?’

Felix Ford glanced at him, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt, and muttered, "I can’t even point out that you’re dumb? Uncle, you’re not behaving at all."

With that, he quickly found the piece he needed and fitted it in. The one in Hayden Grant’s hand was indeed the wrong one.

"See? Mine is the right one."

Just then, he heard a sound and turned his head. His eyes lit up when he saw Amanda Vance. Forgetting the Legos, he shouted, "Mommy!" and pushed himself up from the floor. He ran pitter-patter toward her and hugged her leg. "Mommy, you’re back!"

His face was full of joy, and his eyes, as he looked at her, were filled with affection, showing no trace of the little terror he’d been a moment ago.

Hayden Grant pouted. ’He must use this trick to fool Megan into thinking he’s some well-behaved kid.’

’He only behaves in front of her.’

He picked up the half-finished Lego creation, looked at the huge pile of pieces on the floor, and set it back down with a headache.

’Fine. I really am no match for him when it comes to this.’

Amanda Vance looked down and pinched his chubby little cheek. "Were you a good boy at home?"

Felix Ford’s eyes darted around, and he declared loudly, "I was!"

Hearing this, Hayden Grant scoffed. "Good boy, my ass."

Felix Ford immediately turned to glare at him, then looked back at Amanda Vance, his expression switching back to an adorable, innocent one. His voice was sweet and milky as he tried to turn the tables. "Mommy, Uncle wasn’t behaving. He was too naughty."

Amanda Vance glanced at the toys strewn all over the floor and tapped him lightly on the head with her knuckle. "Nonsense."

Hayden Grant never liked playing with these kinds of toys, even as a child. He much preferred balling up his little fists and going out to pick fights.

Besides, he was a grown man now; he wouldn’t just throw things around everywhere.

It was self-evident who the culprit was.

Even though he looked cute tattling, Amanda Vance was unwilling to indulge his bad habits. At the very least, she had to point them out.

’But when did Jean start treating his toys like this? He used to be the neatest one, never throwing things around.’

Noticing her gaze, Felix Ford suddenly tensed up. A panic seized him, and he couldn’t think of an excuse. His little face instantly paled.

’Oh no. If Mommy finds out, will she send me back?’

Seeing him like this, Amanda Vance was even more surprised. But when she saw his pitiful expression, as if he were afraid of being abandoned, her heart softened. She patted his head and said, "It’s okay. Mommy was just saying."

Hearing that she wasn’t talking about sending him away, Felix Ford breathed a sigh of relief. "I’ll clean it up myself, Mommy," he said obediently. "I won’t make a mess anymore."

"Okay."

Afraid of scaring him further, Amanda Vance didn’t press the issue.

Felix Ford was true to his word. Seeing the toys scattered everywhere, he stuck out his tongue guiltily, picked up the ones nearest to him, and began huffing and puffing as he carried a large armful toward the toy box.

Hayden Grant walked over and looked her up and down. Seeing she was unharmed, he finally relaxed. "You okay?"

"I’m fine."

’What could happen to me? They’re the ones who should be in trouble.’

Seeing her expression, Hayden Grant raised an eyebrow. "Looks like something interesting happened."

His gaze darkened. ’I knew those people wouldn’t just behave.’

Felix Ford overheard them. ’From what Uncle’s saying, does that mean someone bullied Mommy?’

His little brows furrowed. ’How is Second Uncle doing his job? He was supposed to protect Mommy, so what has he been doing?’

’Hmph. As expected, you can’t rely on any man.’