The Billionaire's Temptation: Love, Family and Revenge-Chapter 75: A Tempting Night

"If I’m not mistaken, she’s one of Mr. Johnson’s daughters. I can’t forget her face so easily. She’s been all over the internet recently—everywhere I turn, there she is."

He paused and shook his head slowly.

"She seems to be the problem. And it’s starting to piss me off," he added bluntly, the irritation clear in his voice. "Do you know her personally?"

Lily froze for a second. She hadn’t expected the question and didn’t know how much to reveal. She swallowed nervously and looked at her father.

"Umm... a little, Dad," she replied hesitantly.

Mr. Lugard exhaled through his nose, clearly unimpressed with her answer.

"Hmm," he muttered, his eyes narrowing even more. "Your brother is getting on my nerves. He refuses to pick up my calls. Tell him to meet me in his office tomorrow morning. No excuses. This is a direct order, and it’s not up for debate."

He handed Lily her phone back with a slight shake of his head.

"Go to bed. It’s already late," he added, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Lily stood still for a moment, letting out a long breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. The air in her room now felt heavy, She could feel the pressure building—between her father, her brother, and now Elena, who, as far as Lily knew, had no idea she was in the middle of such a storm.

Dragging her feet, she walked lazily back to her bed. She opened her messaging app and sent a quick text to her brother, relaying their father’s command. Then, placing her phone on the side table, she stared blankly at the screen for a few moments, hoping her boyfriend might message her too. But nothing came. Feeling emotionally drained, she pulled the blanket over her and, before long, drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, across town, Ford sat in silence, scrolling through his phone. The internet was buzzing with rumors and hateful comments. His jaw clenched as he read post after post about Elena, filled with lies and insults. His frustration was clear—he was tired, overwhelmed, and angry.

Behind him, Lady Agnes entered the room quietly.

"Sir, we are done cleaning her up," she said softly, referring to Elena, who had just been taken care of after a long and stressful night.

Ford didn’t respond. His eyes were locked on his phone screen. Lady Agnes glanced at the butler, unsure if she should repeat herself. The butler gave her a small nod, signaling her to leave—it was best to give him space.

The butler stepped forward and spoke firmly. "Sir Ford, Miss Elena has been thoroughly cleaned up. She’s resting now."

Ford blinked slowly, registering the words. He gave a tired nod.

"Good. You can all go to bed. I’m not hungry, and Elena won’t be needing anything tonight. Just make sure something nice is prepared for her in the morning. She’ll be hungry by then."

With that, he closed the door gently behind him.

Ford quietly walked into the room, his eyes gently settling on Elena. She lay peacefully on the bed, her soft breathing the only sign life was in her. Her face looked calm, almost innocent, completely unaware of everything that had happened earlier that day. Despite the chaos, she had managed to fall into a deep sleep, her body clearly needing rest.

The scent of lavender filled the air. It came from her hair and skin, clean, fresh, and calming. Lady Agnes had done a remarkable job. Elena looked well cared for, her face no longer stained with tears or pain, but smooth and glowing under the soft lights of the room. Ford stood there, just watching her for a moment, taking in the quiet beauty of the scene. The tension in his chest eased slightly.

But as he stood there, he became more aware of his own discomfort. He looked down at himself, his shirt was wrinkled, his skin sticky from the long, stressful day. He knew he needed a shower and a change of clothes. Turning around, he quickly walked back to his room.

As soon as he stepped in, he began unbuttoning his shirt, ready to wash off, But then, out of nowhere, an image flashed in his mind: Sia. The memory of her clinging to him earlier, her skin against his flooded back. His hands froze mid-motion. The frustration of that moment, of almost giving in to something he didn’t truly want, made him grit his teeth.

In a burst of emotion, he grabbed his nightwear and stormed out of his room again, heading straight for Elena’s bathroom. He needed to clear his mind.

Once inside, he stripped off his clothes and stepped under the warm spray of the shower. The water ran down his back and chest, washing away the sweat and the tension. But his mind wasn’t as easy to cleanse. Thoughts swirled, what if he had crossed a line with Sia? What if he had made a mistake he couldn’t take back?

He glanced down and sighed in frustration. His body had responded, just from a few moments of thinking about that encounter. He shook his head, feeling a mixture of guilt and confusion.

"This is not the right time for this," he muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed with himself.

He pulled on his nightwear and tried to ignore the rest. His feelings were a mess. Was it Sia he desired? Or was it the closeness he felt with Elena, the comfort she unknowingly gave him? He couldn’t tell anymore. The only thing he was sure of was that he didn’t want to think about it any longer.

Drying off, he stepped out of the bathroom and returned to Elena’s room. She had moved slightly in her sleep, turning onto her side. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. She had always been a light sleeper; he remembered that from the last time they shared a bed.

Gently, he climbed into bed beside her, careful not to wake her. He pulled the duvet over them, making sure she was comfortable. She was lying a little far from him, as if even in sleep, she needed space.

He stared at her for a while, his mind filled with uncertainty. What would happen when she woke up? Would she understand the choices he made tonight? Would she even want to share the same bed anymore?

He didn’t have the answers, but for now, he simply lay there, quietly beside her, waiting for morning.

Ford’s thoughts weighed heavily on him, stirring up a mix of guilt, longing, and quiet sadness. Everything had spiraled so quickly, too many emotions in one night. But in this quiet moment, as he looked at Elena’s sleeping form beside him, something in him softened. She was peaceful now, calm in sleep, her breathing slow and even.

Unable to help himself, he gently reached out and wrapped his arm around her. Carefully, he pulled her closer until her head rested against his chest. She smelled like lavender and warmth, a scent that made him feel calm.

Leaning down slightly, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. A faint smile curved his lips. If he could just hold her like this tonight, then maybe, just maybe, he could face whatever tomorrow had to offer.

Elena stirred softly, blinking her eyes open. For a second, her vision was hazy. Her cheek was pressed against something firm and warm. It took her a moment to realize,it was a man’s chest. And not just any man.

She looked up and found Ford’s eyes staring directly at her, wide with surprise.

"Elena?" he whispered, his voice low and uncertain, as if he couldn’t believe she was awake.

She tried to lift herself slightly, but paused, noticing a strange sensation pressing against her stomach. Curious, she looked down and quickly realized what it was his arousal. She froze for a moment, her eyes meeting his again, now noticing how nervous and flustered he looked.

His face was a mix of embarrassment and confusion. He didn’t know what to do, and neither did she. Ford stayed still, afraid to move or say anything that might make things worse.

Elena didn’t speak. Instead, her hand slowly moved up to touch his cheek. It was a small gesture, gentle but powerful. She pulled herself a little closer to him, her face now just inches from his. Ford’s heart raced. He couldn’t tell if she was truly awake or still half-dreaming. Was she acting on instinct or was this intentional?

He wanted her more than he could admit out loud. Every part of his body responded to her nearness, but he held back. He didn’t want to make a move she might regret later. Not unless he was sure she wanted it too.

Their lips were just a breath apart when suddenly, her eyes fluttered closed again. She had fallen asleep.

Ford let out a small laugh under his breath, both relieved and slightly disappointed. He watched her face for a moment longer, then leaned in once more and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep well," he whispered.

His phone buzzed suddenly, breaking the quiet. He reached over and checked it there was a message from Lily. Reading it, he sighed. His father wanted to see him. He knew a long conversation was waiting for him in the morning, full of questions and explanations he wasn’t ready to give.

Still, he placed the phone aside and closed his eyes. None of that mattered now. All that mattered in this moment was Elena sleeping peacefully beside him. Whatever tomorrow would bring, he would face it, but for now, he let sleep take him, her warmth still pressed gently against his chest.