The Billionaire's Temptation: Love, Family and Revenge-Chapter 71: Evidence

Time passed without him noticing. The room was quiet, peaceful except for the steady breathing of the woman in his arms. Somewhere along the way, Ford had also drifted off to sleep, wrapped in exhaustion and emotion.

When he woke up, the sky outside the window had turned dusky. The light had changed, casting a soft orange glow across the room. He blinked a few times, his body feeling a bit stiff. Glancing at the wall clock, he saw that it was already a few minutes past six in the evening.

A sleepy smile crossed his face as he realized he still had Elena in his arms. Despite everything, she was here, safe and resting. That thought alone gave him strength. He let out a tired yawn, stretching just a bit without disturbing her.

He looked down at her sleeping face—so peaceful, so innocent in that moment. Her eyelashes rested gently on her cheeks, her breathing slow and steady. Ford leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead, a soft and loving gesture. "I’ve got you," he whispered again.

Carefully, he pulled away, moving slowly so he wouldn’t wake her. He lifted the covers and quietly got off the bed. Once he was standing, he gently pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, making sure she was covered well and warm. For a few more seconds, he stood there, just watching her sleep. His eyes held both love and pain, but also a determination that was growing stronger by the second.

Taking a deep breath, Ford turned and walked out of the room.

"Watch her and don’t take a step out of her" he commanded the security men.

"Yes sir!" They nodded in understanding. Ford couldn’t dare make the same mistake he made before. Taking a look back at Elena’s door before leaving to meet with Doctor Charles.

"Well, well... look who we have here," Daniel said in a low whisper, leaning forward slightly across the table. His eyes narrowed. "Miss Jane... the sister who almost killed her own sister."

Jane froze. She was seated across from him, her eyes wide with fear. Her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She quickly glanced around the room, checking if anyone had overheard what Daniel just said. Her heart raced. Panic flashed in her eyes.

"Keep your voice down," she hissed, her tone sharp but shaky.

But Daniel only smirked. "Truth hurts, doesn’t it?" He laughed.

Jane’s heart stopped for a moment when she heard what Daniel said.

"But bad news for you though," he began, his voice calm yet sharp. "Your stepsister—if she truly is your stepsister, considering the way you planned to kill her—well, your plans didn’t work. She’s alive."

The words hit Jane like a bolt of lightning. Her face went pale, her palms started trembling, and small beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She quickly took out her handkerchief and dabbed her face, trying to act like she wasn’t affected by what he just said. But her hand shook slightly, betraying the storm going on inside her.

"How do you know about that?" she asked, her voice quiet but filled with urgency. Deep down, she was both shocked and scared. She had thought Elena wouldn’t make it considering how bad she hurt her.

Daniel looked at her with a calm smile, one that made Jane feel even more uneasy. There was something unsettling in the way he looked at her, like he knew everything.

"I know more than you can imagine," he said slowly. "But don’t worry, I’m going to help you. Of course, you’ll also have to do something for me."

His words sent another chill down Jane’s spine. She didn’t like the way he said "help," and she definitely didn’t like the way he said she’d have to do something in return. Her mind raced with questions. What did he want? Was it something even worse than what she had already done?

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jane asked cautiously. There was a tone of fear in her voice, and it was clear she didn’t want to agree to anything too quickly.

Daniel leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming with something between amusement and menace.

"I’ve seen the way you look at him," he said, his voice lowering as if sharing a private secret. "You want him. But I don’t like him. So I don’t care what happens to him. Play your games, chase after him, do what you need to do. Just make sure you give me results."

Jane felt her stomach turn. Who was he talking about? And what kind of results did he expect from her? Everything about Daniel felt dangerous, like he was playing a game where only he knew the rules. Still, if Elena was truly alive and he had information, she needed him—for now.

Daniel’s expression was firm now, his tone serious. He had made it clear: he was offering help, but at a price. And Jane, whether she liked it or not, was already in too deep.

In that moment, she realized two things. First, she hadn’t succeeded in getting rid of Elena, and second, Daniel was now pulling the strings. And whatever he had planned, it was going to be dangerous.

Jane leaned forward, her voice trembling but firm. "Who are you talking about, and what results do you want from me?" she asked, her heart already racing from the tension that hung in the air like a storm about to break.

Daniel stood still, his arms folded confidently across his chest, a smug smile playing on his lips. His eyes locked onto hers with a strange, unsettling calmness. "Set Ford up," he said slowly. "Accuse him of rape. That’s what I want from you, darling."

Jane gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What!" she shouted, nearly jumping from her seat. Her voice echoed through the room. "How can you ask me to do such a thing? Do you even understand what you’re saying? You want me to accuse a powerful man like Ford of rape? Do you want me to be killed?"

Her voice cracked with fear and anger, but Daniel remained unmoved. He didn’t flinch, didn’t raise his voice. He simply stood there, watching her act out.

"I still don’t understand why you’re so afraid," he said, tilting his head slightly. "You had so much courage when you tried to kill the woman your precious Ford loves. But now you’re scared? What makes you think he’d forgive you if he found out what you did?"

Those words pierced Jane’s heart like a knife. She looked away, ashamed and overwhelmed. It was true. She had tried to get rid of Elena but not Ford.

She loved Ford. That made it all worse. The idea of hurting him in such a cruel way, accusing him of something so serious—it made her sick to her stomach. But Daniel wasn’t giving her a choice. His cold, steady gaze told her everything she needed to know. He wasn’t bluffing, and he wasn’t going to back down.

Trying to find some clarity, she wondered why he was so interested in Ford.

Jane asked, "How do you know Ford and Elena? And why do you want to set Ford up? Wait... are you in love with Elena?" Her voice was quiet now, filled with confusion and curiosity.

At the sound of her question, Daniel’s entire expression changed. The calm, controlled smirk vanished, replaced by fury. His eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened.

"You’re the one begging me for help," he said through clenched teeth. "You’re the one who doesn’t want to be exposed. And you dare question me?"

His anger filled the room. She could see her words touched a nerve. Even though she was caught in his web—with no idea how to escape at least she knew his weak point.

Jane’s face tightened with frustration as she glared at Daniel. Her voice was sharp and filled with resentment. "Hmm... all I see is a man in love, trying to remove anything that stands in his way. You love Elena, and she’s awake. Isn’t that enough for you? Why don’t you just be happy and leave me the heck alone?"

Her voice echoed slightly in the quiet room, but Daniel didn’t even flinch. He leaned against the edge of the table, his arms crossed, that same annoying smirk still tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Oh darling, I can’t do that," he said in a calm, mocking tone. "You failed at your job. You were supposed to kill her. Not only did she survive, but I caught you red-handed. You don’t have a choice now. You either do what I ask of you, or I’ll have no choice but to expose everything you’ve done."

Jane’s chest tightened. Deep inside, she knew arguing with him was pointless. But another part of her tried to cling to hope—maybe he was bluffing. Maybe he didn’t have any proof. Still, she couldn’t be sure, and that uncertainty made her stomach twist.

Trying to sound confident, she forced a smile and folded her arms. "Please," she scoffed. "Stop trying to scare me with your threats. If you love Elena so much, then go to her yourself. Handle your own business. Don’t use me to do your dirty work. That would actually make things easier for me. At least I’d have Ford to myself."

Her voice was bold, but inside, she trembled. Her hands were sweaty, and her heart was pounding in her chest. She was terrified, but she couldn’t let Daniel see that. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

She reached down, grabbed her bag, and turned toward the door. "I’m done here," she said coldly.

Daniel’s smile faded slightly. He stood up straight, his voice suddenly more intense. "Oh, Miss Jane... don’t push me to do something you’ll regret. You think my warnings are just words?"

He reached into his bag and pulled something out—a photo. Without saying another word, he threw it onto the table in front of her.

The photo slid across the smooth surface and stopped just inches from where Jane had been sitting. Her curiosity got the better of her. She turned around quickly, rushed to the table, and snatched the photo up with both hands.

Her eyes widened in horror. The color drained from her face. She looked around the room in panic, making sure no one else was watching.

In her hands was undeniable proof. Pictures—clear and detailed. Someone had been watching her. Her actions had been recorded.

She swallowed hard. The fear she had been trying to hide came rushing back like a wave.

Daniel had proof.

He had control.