The Billionaire's Temptation: Love, Family and Revenge-Chapter 78: Back to work

Elena sat comfortably in the large, cozy sitting room, the soft hum of music playing faintly in the background. The sun filtered gently through the open windows, lighting up the room with a warm golden glow.

Opposite her knelt the quiet and ever-dutiful maid, who now seemed to be something more, a surprising Chess champion.

Elena let out a laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Again? You’re unbeatable, Agnes!"

Agnes gave a shy smile, holding the cue nervously. She hadn’t wanted to play at first. When Elena had begged her to join, she had hesitated, worried what Ford might say. It was against house rules for staff to mingle too closely, especially not in such a relaxed way. But Elena had promised no one would get in trouble.

"Don’t worry," she had said with a wink. "Ford won’t sack you. I’ll talk to him."

Still, even now, Agnes played with caution but her eyes kept flickering toward the hallway, as if expecting Ford to walk in at any moment.

And then, as if on cue, Ford did.

He stepped into the room quietly, stopping just by the doorway. His eyes scanned the scene before him. There, in the middle of the elegant sitting room, was and Agnes laughing, playing chess and clearly enjoying themselves.

For a split second, Ford’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected this. He felt a twinge of annoyance, this wasn’t exactly how the household was meant to run.

But then, his gaze shifted to Elena. She was smiling so brightly, her eyes glowing with happiness. She looked relaxed. Carefree. Something she hadn’t been for days.

He let out a quiet breath. How could he be angry? Hadn’t he begged her not to watch the news, not to leave the house? What else was she supposed to do to pass the time? With a small, understanding smile, he decided to let it go. Her happiness mattered more.

He turned slightly, intending to leave the room quietly without disturbing them.

But Elena’s voice stopped him in his tracks. "Leaving without a word?" she called out, her tone sharp with surprise and just a hint of annoyance.

Ford turned slowly. Agnes, upon seeing him, immediately straightened up, panic on her face.

"I’m sorry, sir! Forgive me, sir!" she pleaded, hands clasped in front of her as she bowed her head repeatedly.

"Please," Elena said quickly, stepping forward. "Don’t scold her. It’s my fault. I asked her to play with me."

Ford looked at Elena for a long moment before nodding. "Alright," he said calmly. "I’ll pardon her, for your sake. But you do understand that workers shouldn’t be given so much freedom, right?"

"I understand," Elena said softly, her head bowed slightly. "But please, just let her play a little longer. For me."

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting his, full of gentle pleading.

Ford’s heart softened. "It’s alright, love," he said with a soft smile. "As long as you’re happy."

Those words made Elena’s heart flutter. Her lips curved into a grateful smile. "Thank you," she said warmly.

Ford nodded and turned to leave again, but then he felt a gentle tug on the back of his shirt. He stopped and turned to see Elena standing behind him.

"Wait a little," she said in a soft, almost shy voice. "Your tie... let me fix it for you."

He paused, looking down at her. She was smaller than him, so she had to go on her tiptoes to reach the knot of his tie. Her fingers moved gently, adjusting the fabric, smoothing out the collar, and making sure it sat perfectly.

Ford’s heart swelled at her touch. The closeness between them... it was warm, intimate. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, neither of them said a word. The world seemed to slow around them. There was something unspoken between them.

He knew he wanted to kiss her. He could see it in her eyes too. She was thinking the same thing.

She was just about to come down from tiptoeing when he caught her by the waist, holding her steady.

"Not so fast, baby," he whispered, his voice low and tender. "I haven’t given you a thank you."

He leaned in slowly, his face moving closer to hers, his hand gently resting at her back. Their lips were just inches apart, the air between them thick with anticipation.

But then his phone vibrated loudly in his pocket.

Elena quickly stepped back, adjusting herself, cheeks flushing with disappointment.

Without saying a word, Elena turned and walked quietly back toward where the game was still going on. Her steps were calm, but her heart was racing. She thought that would be the end of their moment, but Ford wasn’t ready to let her go at least not yet.

He reached out and gently pulled her back to him. It wasn’t rough or forceful, just a soft tug that said, "Stay a little longer." Without a word, he leaned in and placed a light kiss on her lips. It was quick and tender.

Agnes, who was still in the room and caught a glimpse of what was unfolding, smiled knowingly. Without saying anything, she turned and left the sitting room, giving them the space they clearly needed.

The kiss was short, almost too short. Ford pulled back with a soft smile, but Elena wasn’t ready to let it end there. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, and her cheeks grew warm.

Pulling him closer again, their noses gently brushed. With her eyes closed and her voice barely a whisper, she said shyly, "That thank you was not enough." Her hands found their way to the back of his neck as she reached up again for his lips. This time, Ford didn’t hesitate. He smiled and leaned in.

He noticed her struggling to stand on her toes to meet him properly, he knew she was still in pains, Smiling warmly, he let go of the bag he was holding, scooped her up into his arms, and deepened the kiss. It wasn’t just soft anymore, it was passionate, slow, and full of unspoken words.

His lips played with hers, his tongue teasing hers lightly. He gently sucked on her lower lip, savoring the moment like a long-awaited taste. Elena let out a soft, cute moan that sent a thrill down Ford’s spine. The sound was innocent yet filled with desire, and it made it even harder for him to stop.

But he knew he had to. As much as he wanted to stay wrapped in that moment, he had a meeting to attend. Slowly, he pulled back, letting her catch her breath before setting her gently down on her feet again.

With a playful smile and a teasing kiss on her flushed cheek, he whispered, "I believe that was a better thank you," before heading off to work.

Elena opened her eyes slowly, still catching her breath. Her gaze wandered to the spot where he had just stood. He was gone. She stared in quiet shock, a soft smile creeping onto her lips. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. She had been so bold, so open.

With a mixture of surprise and awe, she sat down, letting her head rest against the back of the chair. Her eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, as if trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside her.

"Elena, what is happening with you?" she murmured to herself, eyes distant and unfocused, her lips still tingling from the kiss.

She leaned back, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of feelings rushing through her. The memory of what had just happened with Ford at the dining table came crashing back in like a wave. Her cheeks warmed again.

Her gaze drifted to the television that lay flat in front of her. She remembered she had promised Ford she wouldn’t watch the news but her curiosity and emotions had pulled her in another direction. She had meant to keep her promise

As she reached forward to grab the remote from the table, Agnes appeared at the door, her voice calm but clear. "Miss Elena, your bath is ready," she announced with a gentle smile.

Elena paused, looking at the television once more. A small smile formed on her lips as she nodded and stood up. She had needed a moment alone, but maybe a warm bath would help her clear her thoughts. She gave the TV one last glance before walking off toward the bathroom.

James, Ford’s driver, was navigating the sleek black car through the winding roads that led to the company’s headquarters. As they drew closer, the noise of a growing crowd became impossible to ignore. From a distance, Ford could already see people gathered near the gates, and it only grew clearer as they approached.

His expression tightened. This wasn’t what he had expected, not like this. He had known the news would spread, but not so fast, and not so loud.

As soon as the car neared the front gate, someone in the crowd pointed and yelled, "That’s his car! That’s Ford!"

The crowd instantly turned, their attention locked onto the approaching vehicle. People began to rush forward, eager to catch a glimpse or shout out their questions. James didn’t waste a second. He spun the wheel and sped off toward the back gate, which had already been secured by a team of security guards.

The moment the car stopped, the guards moved in quickly, surrounding Ford as he stepped out. He didn’t stop or look around, his pace was fast and focused. The security team formed a wall around him, escorting him safely inside before the crowd could get close. As soon as he was in, the heavy gates slammed shut.

Outside, the crowd grew louder. Reporters, fans, and curious employees were all shouting, trying to get answers.

"Please, sir, talk to us!"

"Just one question—who is Elena to you?"

The questions came in waves, each one sharper than the last, but Ford didn’t respond. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened, and he kept walking. The frustration bubbling inside him was too much to hide, and he didn’t even try. He stormed through the main hallway of the company building, his steps heavy and full of emotion.

Inside, the staff immediately took notice. Some bowed their heads in respect, others quickly moved out of his way. No one had seen Ford in days, and the expression on his face made them all uneasy. It wasn’t just stress, it was something deeper, something more personal.

Daniel, noticed him and hurried over. Trying to remain professional, he greeted his boss with a respectful nod and a small smile, he loved how frustrated Ford looked.

"Sir, your father is already seated in the relaxation hall," he informed him. "He’s been waiting for you."

Ford gave a slight nod and continued walking. He didn’t say a word.

As he entered the relaxation hall, he found his father already seated, arms crossed, face stern. Mr. Lugard slowly raised his eyes to meet his son’s.

"Ford," he said in a deep, thunderous voice, "what in God’s name is going on with you?"

The silence that followed felt like a storm waiting to break.