The Billionaire's Temptation: Love, Family and Revenge-Chapter 42: Caught inbeteeen

"Won’t you let them in?" Mr. Lugard questioned Ford, his voice laced with concern.

Ford, already irritated, barely spared him a glance. "And why should I?" he snapped. "Did I ask for visitors? How did you people even find out I’m in the hospital?"

Mr. Lugard sighed. "What did you expect? It’s all over the news."

Ford’s eyes widened in shock. "What? The news?" He jolted upright in bed, his heart pounding.

Stephen, his loyal driver, shifted uneasily beside him. "Sir, I tried my best to make sure this never got out. Your arrival was meant to be discreet."

Ford turned his glare on him. "And yet, here we are! How did it happen? You had one simple task, and you couldn’t even carry it out properly!" His voice was sharp with frustration.

Stephen lowered his head in shame. "I—I don’t know how, sir. I was careful."

A soft chuckle interrupted the tense moment. Ford’s eyes flickered toward the sound. It was Fredericks’ mother, sitting calmly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Something about it unsettled him.

"You shouldn’t be so hard on him," she said sweetly, though there was an unmistakable edge to her voice. "He did his best. Unfortunately, it wasn’t his fault."

Ford’s frown deepened. "Then whose fault is it?"

Mr. Lugard cleared his throat. "One of the nurses who attended to you took pictures and leaked them to the media."

Ford clenched his jaw. "Unbelievable," he muttered.

"But don’t worry," his father continued. "I’ve handled it. The pictures have already been taken down."

For a moment, silence settled in the room. Then, Ford noticed something. Fredericks’ mother—her smile was gone. Her face had hardened, her hands slowly curling into fists.

Realization hit him like a wave.

She had a hand in this.

She was the one who made sure the news got out.

Ford’s anger flared, but he kept his expression neutral, watching as she struggled to hide her frustration. She hadn’t expected his father to intervene so quickly. Her plan had failed.

"Well," Ford finally said, his voice calmer now, "I suppose I should be grateful. Thanks." He managed to say.

His father gave him a firm nod, unaware of the silent battle playing out between his son and the woman across the room.

Fredericks’ mother forced a tight-lipped smile. "Yes, dear. Everything is under control."

Ford held her gaze, his mind already working. If she had orchestrated this, what else was she planning?

One thing was certain—he needed to be careful.

Her thoughts spiraled into panic. If Ford’s father—her own husband—had found out who leaked the news, then surely he knew it was her.

Her hands trembled involuntarily. Why hadn’t he confronted her yet? Was he waiting for the right moment? Weighing his options? She struggled to maintain her composure, forcing herself to stay calm. Any sign of nervousness would only raise suspicion.

Then, she noticed something—Ford was watching her. His piercing gaze held a knowing glint, his lips curled into a faint, almost taunting smile. He knew.

Before she could react, another knock echoed through the room.

"Open the door for them. It’s rude to leave them waiting," Mr. Lugard instructed the driver, completely indifferent to Ford’s feelings on the matter.

As the door creaked open, Mr. Lugard’s sharp eyes landed on someone in the doorway. His brows furrowed in recognition.

"Wait... isn’t that one of their daughters?" he asked, his gaze locking onto Elena, who had been trying to remain as silent as possible.

Ford’s expression changed instantly. His eyes widened as realization struck. Elena was in trouble.

In all the chaos, he had forgotten she was in the room. Now, with his father’s attention drawn to her, things were about to get even more complicated. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, another figure stepped inside.

Mr. Johnson entered, his wife and daughter, Jane, trailing behind him.

Ford exhaled a quiet sigh of relief, but the reprieve was short-lived. Now that they were all gathered in one room, the real interrogation was bound to begin.

His gaze drifted toward Elena, and what he saw unsettled him. She looked terrified.

Her fingers twitched at her sides, her breath uneven. The tension in her shoulders betrayed her fear. He knew that feeling all too well—the desperation to remain unnoticed, the silent plea for escape.

Then, their eyes met.

A flicker of understanding passed between them.

Ford softened his expression, offering her the slightest nod of reassurance. He saw her pain, her helplessness, and he wanted her to know—he wasn’t going to make this harder for her.

Elena, still trembling, dipped her head ever so slightly in acknowledgment. She understood.

But there was nothing either of them could do. Any sudden movement, any attempt to shield her, would only draw unwanted attention.

Instead, they remained frozen in place, hoping that the worst doesn’t happen.

Meanwhile, her father finally spoke, his voice filled with forced politeness.

"Oh! Good day, sir. It’s been a while. It’s nice to see you again," Mr. Johnson greeted Mr. Lugard with deep respect.

Beside him, Elena’s stepmother bowed slightly, a customary display of deference.

The room was now filled with pleasantries, but beneath the surface, tension simmered.

Ford could feel it.

Elena could feel it.

And so could his stepmother, whose fingers curled into a silent fist.

"Good day, sir. Good day, Ford," Jane greeted with a bright smile as she hurried to Ford’s side.

Noticing it Elena felt angry but she couldn’t do anything.

"Oh, my dear, good day," Mr. Lugard replied, his tone polite but distant.

Jane’s mother, always eager to secure favor, quickly added, "Sorry if we’re disturbing you, Sir Ford. We just thought we’d stop by to check on you—after all, we’ll be family very soon." She smiled warmly, hoping Mr. Lugard would acknowledge their growing connection.

Mr. Lugard chuckled, shaking his head. "Mrs. Johnson, you never fail to amuse me."

Across the room, Fredericks’ mother barely lifted her gaze from her phone, but the disdain in her expression was unmistakable. "Some people are truly desperate to marry into our family," she remarked coolly, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Her words were sharp, and she didn’t care.

Ford knew they stung, but he had no energy to care. His mind was elsewhere.

Elena.

He glanced around—she was no longer near him. His chest tightened. Where did she go?

His eyes swept the room until he spotted her.

She was moving. Slowly. Carefully. Tiptoeing toward the door.

She was almost there.

Ford held his breath, silently willing her to make it out unnoticed. If she left now, she could avoid the interrogation. And, frankly, so could he.

Across from him, Jane beamed with joy, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

This moment meant everything to her.

She had begged—no, pleaded—with her parents to visit Ford in the hospital. The moment she had heard he was unwell, she knew this was her only chance to see him. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Now, here she was, standing beside him, soaking in every second.

Ford, however, barely acknowledged her presence.

His focus remained on Elena, whose fingers were now inches from the doorknob.

Just a little more.

One step closer.

Would she make it?

Or would someone stop her?

Jane had begged her parents for what felt like forever, pleading for a chance to visit Ford in the hospital. Eventually, they relented, hoping that perhaps, with time, Ford might develop a liking for her.

Now, standing beside him, Jane could hardly contain her excitement. This was her moment. But to her dismay, Ford wouldn’t even spare her a glance.

His attention was elsewhere.

His eyes were fixed intently on something—no, someone—across the room.

Curious, Jane followed his gaze, expecting to see something significant. Instead, her eyes landed on a woman standing with her head bowed low.

At first, Jane thought nothing of it. But then something about the woman seemed oddly familiar. Her mind raced as she tried to place the face she couldn’t quite see.

Then, her eyes drifted downward.

The shoes.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Elena?" Jane questioned quietly, a mixture of surprise and irritation flickering across her face.

At the sound of her name, Ford’s head snapped toward Jane. He had barely whispered it himself just moments ago, but now, hearing it from Jane’s lips, he knew—she had found out.

Slowly, Elena lifted her head.

Their eyes met for the briefest of moments before Elena quickly looked away. But it was too late—Jane had seen everything she needed to see.

Hatred flared in her eyes.

Elena, sensing it, instinctively turned her body away, desperate to leave before things escalated. She took a step toward the door, ready to make her escape.

But then—

"Elena?"

The voice froze her in place.

"I thought I saw your first daughter," Mr. Johnson’s voice rang out. "Is that her?"

Elena’s breath hitched.

She was caught.

Her eyes watered instantly, panic swelling in her chest.

Ford shut his eyes in regret. He had wanted to protect her from this, but now, there was no turning back.

Her parents turned in surprise.