Chapter 73: I’ll Take You

He was still reeling in disbelief, but Samuel Ford ignored him. He turned back to Amanda Vance and solemnly extended his hand. "I’m leaving him in your hands."

Amanda Vance casually took his hand, their fingertips barely touching before they separated. She smiled. "Of course."

With that, she turned to Mr. Lynch. "The patient should wake up in about two hours, and there won’t be any immediate problems. Have him drink one dose of medicine tonight, and continue for seven consecutive days. I’ll use acupuncture in tandem with the medicine, and we’ll monitor the effects."

"Alright."

Mr. Lynch now had complete faith in her. He had also noticed Shawn Ford’s hostility, so he intentionally spoke up to support her. "Amanda, you just focus on the treatment. I’ll be your assistant. I have complete faith in your medical skills."

Knowing those words were meant for him, Shawn Ford opened his mouth to speak, but a cold glare from his older brother made him snap it shut. A moment later, however, he still felt indignant.

’Everyone knows that with traditional Chinese medicine, the older the doctor, the better they are. He refused to believe someone who hadn’t even graduated from college could possess such incredible skills.’

’I don’t know what kind of spell she cast on Mr. Lynch and Big Brother to make them trust her so completely.’

He stared at her with deep suspicion, his expression clearly labeling her a fraud.

Amanda Vance felt a little exasperated but couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She turned to Mr. Lynch again. "I need to go home and get my Golden Needles. I’m not used to the ones here at the hospital."

Golden Needles were soft, and a practitioner needed considerable skill to use them. Mr. Lynch owned a set himself, so he wasn’t surprised to hear her request. "Alright, go on, go on."

"I’ll take Dr. Vance," Samuel Ford, who had been standing by, suddenly said.

Amanda Vance thought for a moment and accepted. "Alright. Mr. Lynch, could you please tell Jean for me? I’ll be right back after I get my things."

Besides the Golden Needles, she also needed to grab some medicine; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been in such a hurry.

"Alright."

’Bringing her son to work... It’s obvious she’s not taking this seriously.’

Shawn Ford couldn’t help but hold another strike against her in his mind.

Samuel Ford shot him a sidelong glance, silently telling him to behave. Once his brother looked away, Samuel turned back to Amanda Vance. "Let’s go."

"Okay."

She followed him to the parking garage. He was driving a Rolls-Royce today. The interior was spacious and comfortable, and the car itself was immaculate. There were no strange odors; instead, a cool, clean scent lingered in the air.

It was a very pleasant scent.

She couldn’t help but yawn.

The Nine Revolutions Needle technique was effective, but it was incredibly draining. She had managed to hold on until now, but the moment she sat down, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. She turned her head to look at Samuel Ford and asked, "President Ford, would you mind if I slept for a bit?"

Samuel Ford adjusted the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature and shook his head. "I don’t mind."

Hearing him say that, Amanda Vance closed her eyes in relief. But a moment later, they snapped back open. Seeing the man so close, her expression remained neutral as she asked coolly, "President Ford, what are you doing?"

Samuel Ford looked at her without a word. He took the seatbelt from her side, clicked it into place, and then immediately drew back, not touching her in the slightest the entire time.

His actions made even Amanda Vance feel a little awkward, and she subconsciously touched her nose. She glanced at his aloof profile. The man’s jawline was sharp and distinct, lending an even colder, harder edge to his aura.

’The rumors about him keeping women at a distance are probably true.’

’I was overthinking things.’

After murmuring, "My apologies," Amanda Vance closed her eyes and slowly drifted off, not noticing that the man beside her had turned to look at her.

Samuel Ford’s brows furrowed slightly, and his hand on the steering wheel twitched.

’He’d offered to drive her home because he could see her exhaustion. When he noticed she hadn’t buckled her seatbelt, he couldn’t bring himself to wake her—after all, she was only this tired because she’d saved his father. He’d decided to help her with it, but the moment she opened her eyes, he realized his actions were inappropriate. However, he had already leaned in, and retreating would have been even more awkward.’

Although his expression remained impassive, ripples of emotion still stirred within him.

Samuel Ford rubbed his fingertips together and glanced at Amanda Vance again. She was fast asleep now, her long, curled lashes casting soft shadows on her cheeks. She wore no makeup, and her unadorned face looked gentle and docile—nothing like the sharp, almost aggressive presence she had when her eyes were open.

Finally, his gaze fell on the weariness settled between her eyebrows. Samuel Ford started the car, driving so smoothly that there wasn’t the slightest bump.

Amanda Vance had only meant to rest her eyes, but the cool fragrance in the car was so comforting that she had naturally fallen asleep. She slowly opened her eyes only when she heard someone calling her. They were still hazy and full of sleep.

A few strands of hair clung to her face, giving her a softer look.

It was rare to see her like this, and Samuel Ford found himself looking at her for a few extra moments before he averted his gaze. "Dr. Vance, is this the place?" he asked.

Amanda Vance looked outside. "Yes, this is it."

As she spoke, she rubbed her face to wake herself up, then opened the door and stepped out. She paused when she saw him getting out of the car as well. ’He drove me all the way home,’ she thought, ’it would be rude not to offer him a glass of water.’ So, she said nothing.

Samuel Ford followed her inside without a word, his gaze casually sweeping across the room.

Amanda Vance had asked Hayden Grant to buy this house for her while she was still abroad, but she had directed the interior design and renovations herself. The style was simple yet cozy. On the floor lay a half-assembled Lego set.

’Right, she has a son.’

"President Ford, have some water. Please wait for a moment while I get my things, then we can go back." Amanda Vance handed him a glass of water and gestured for him to sit.

"Thank you." Samuel Ford reached out to take the glass. Their fingertips brushed by accident, and he froze for a second before looking up at her.

Seemingly unfazed, Amanda Vance let go and said again, "Just a moment."

’Since I’m here anyway, I might as well pack a change of clothes... and Felix’s things too.’

She packed quickly, emerging with a suitcase just a short while later.

Hearing the sound, Samuel Ford turned to look. He stood up, walked over, and took the suitcase. "I’ll get that."

"Thank you, President Ford." Amanda Vance didn’t argue. She went back to her room to grab a medical kit, which she slung over her shoulder. "Let’s go."

"Okay."

Amanda had him take her to drop off the suitcase at her new accommodations first.

After she gave him the address, she noticed Samuel Ford glance at her.

"Is something wrong, President Ford?"

"It’s nothing." Samuel Ford looked away. ’Could I have remembered it wrong?’ he wondered.

’Why does the address she gave sound like the place he bought for his father?’

Amanda Vance was confused. She felt there was something behind his glance just now, but since he insisted it was nothing, she couldn’t very well press him for details.

’I probably just imagined it.’

Amanda Vance didn’t dwell on it. Her nap had restored some of her energy, so she stayed awake on the way back, leaning against the seat and occasionally gazing at the passing scenery.

As they passed under a bridge, the light suddenly dimmed, turning the window into a natural mirror. The man’s reflection appeared on the glass. Resting her cheek in her hand, Amanda Vance watched it, her fingers tapping lightly on her lap. ’I have to admit,’ she thought, ’there’s a reason so many women in Aethelburg dream of marrying President Ford. That face alone is captivating.’

Sensing something, Samuel Ford glanced sideways. When he realized what—or rather, who—she was looking at, he choked on his own spit and broke into a fit of coughing.

Amanda Vance turned to look at him. "President Ford, are you alright?"

"...I’m fine." Samuel Ford averted his gaze, his hands unconsciously tightening on the steering wheel.

’This woman...’