The Billionaire's Temptation: Love, Family and Revenge-Chapter 79: A Lead to the culprit

Ford walked into the office, where his father sat, the atmosphere was already tense. His father, Mr. Lugard, sat behind the large, polished desk with an expression that clearly showed his frustration. His brows were drawn tight, his lips pressed into a thin line, and the way he tapped his fingers against the table made it obvious that he had been waiting, and he was not pleased with everything going on.

The moment Ford stepped inside, his father’s sharp voice cut through the silence. "Why are you late?" Mr. Lugard asked, his tone filled with frustration and disappointment.

Ford stood still for a moment, letting out a quiet, steady breath. He had expected this reaction the entire time he was on his way. In fact, he had already prepared his mind for whatever harsh words his father might throw at him. He knew this was not going to be an easy conversation. Slowly and calmly, he walked toward his father until he stood close enough to meet his eyes.

"Good morning, Dad," Ford greeted, keeping his voice steady and polite. Even though his father’s anger was obvious, Ford had decided not to let his emotions take control. He reminded himself to stay calm and avoid arguing, no matter how sharp his father’s words might become.

Mr. Lugard studied his son’s face for a moment, and even in his frustration, he noticed the worry hidden behind Ford’s calm expression. Ford’s shoulders were slightly tense, and his eyes, though steady, held the weight of someone who had too much on his mind. Mr. Lugard lifted his hand to rub his forehead and then rested his head in his palm, clearly exhausted from thinking about the situation.

"Let’s talk," Mr. Lugard finally said, pulling the chair closer to the desk so they could speak face-to-face. He had been staring at his phone earlier, waiting anxiously for a message from Kelvin, one of his trusted employees, who was supposed to send him important feedback. But for now, he placed the phone back on the table and shifted his full attention to his son.

Without wasting time, Mr. Lugard asked the question that had been bothering him the most. "What’s going on between you and Mr. Johnson’s daughter, Elena? If I’m not mistaken, that’s her name."

Ford wasn’t surprised by the question, he had expected it. But he hadn’t thought it would be the first thing his father would mention. After taking a brief pause, he replied sincerely, "Elena is someone special to me."

His father leaned back slightly, narrowing his eyes. "Special enough for you to risk everything that’s happening right now? You do realize this whole situation is affecting the company’s image, don’t you?" His voice was firm, edged with anger and concern.

Ford nodded slightly and answered, "I know, Dad. I just need time to figure all this out. You and I both know something isn’t right. This isn’t just happening by chance. Someone planned this, and I have to find out who’s behind it."

Mr. Lugard’s face tightened, his patience clearly wearing thin. "If you love her, bring her home," he said firmly. "All these scandals are damaging us, and you know it. We have a business agenda, Ford, and all this negative attention is the last thing we need. Do you honestly think the shareholders will trust you with the company when the time comes for you to take over, if this continues?"

His words hung in the air, heavy and direct, leaving Ford with even more to think about.

Ford looked at his father with a puzzled expression, confusion clear in his voice as he asked, "Takeover? I thought you said it was just a competition you planned. What are you talking about now, Dad?"

Mr. Lugard, who had been calm but firm, leaned back slightly in his chair and fixed his gaze on his son. "I know exactly what I said, Ford," he replied, his voice steady and full of authority. "And I also know what my final decision will be. But honestly, that shouldn’t be your concern right now. You should be focusing on finding better ways to handle this entire mess."

His father’s words made it clear that the situation was far more serious than Ford had assumed. Ford had believed everything was simply part of a test, a challenge set up by his father to determine his abilities. But now, his father’s mention of a "takeover" hinted at something bigger and far more permanent, a real decision about the future of the company.

Trying to calm the storm before it could rise again, Ford spoke confidently, "Don’t worry, Dad. I’m already working on it. I’ve planned a press conference, and soon the truth will be out. Everything will be explained properly."

Hearing this, Mr. Lugard stood up from his seat and straightened his suit. He gave his son a long look before finally nodding. "I suppose I should trust you on this one," he said, though there was still a slight edge of doubt in his voice. "And don’t forget , bring Elena home. I want to meet her. Also, remember we have that dinner meeting with the Salvatores this weekend."

With those final words, Mr. Lugard picked up his phone, gave Ford one last glance, and walked out of the room, leaving Ford standing there, feeling both relieved and pressured.

As soon as the door closed behind his father, Ford let out a deep breath, the weight of the conversation slowly lifting off his chest. He was thankful that the talk had not ended in an argument, but there was no time to relax. If anything, this conversation only reminded him how much work still needed to be done.

The truth had to come out, and fast. Che king his phone again, Kelvin wasn’t replying to any of his messages.

Just as Ford was lost in thought, there was a sudden knock on the door. The voice of his assistant, Daniel, came through. "Sorry to interrupt, sir, but Mr. Kelvin and some guests are waiting for you in your office."

Surprised, Ford raised his eyebrows. "Seriously? I just texted him a few minutes ago. He could’ve told me he was already here," Ford said, standing up quickly from his chair. Without wasting a second, he rushed out of the room, leaving Daniel standing alone.

Daniel’s hands slowly clenched into tight fists as he watched Ford walk away. Hidden behind his polite smile was pure envy. He hated seeing Ford so hopeful, so full of energy and confidence. The thought of Ford solving all his problems or clearing his name irritated Daniel deeply. More than anything, Daniel wanted things to fall apart for Ford, and the news about Elena had only fueled his wicked plans.

Daniel had been shocked when he first heard about Elena being involved in the scandal, but deep down, it had pleased him. It made his plans easier, and the situation was playing out better than he had hoped. However, one thing still lingered in his mind whether Elena had truly left Ford or not. That one detail could change everything.

His spy at the hospital had already informed him that Elena had regained consciousness and remembered Ford. Unfortunately for him, she couldn’t recall who had attacked her. The news frustrated Daniel beyond words. He had been sure the drugs he gave her would erase every memory, especially the attack. But it seemed Doctor Charles had acted too quickly and saved her from the drug’s full effects.

The thought of his plan slipping away filled him with quiet rage, but he wasn’t ready to give up just yet. He would wait for the perfect moment to strike.

Now all Daniel could do was rely on the media. He hoped they would continue pushing stories about Elena , stories that would weigh her down and wear out her strength. He wanted the pressure to be so heavy on her that she wouldn’t be able to hold up anymore. If the media did their part, his plan would fall into place even faster.

But then another thought crossed his mind. Kelvin might have new information for Ford. He couldn’t let that slip past him. Without wasting another second, Daniel hurried off, quickening his steps as he made his way to catch up with Ford, hoping to overhear anything useful. His curiosity burned strong, and the thought of missing even the smallest detail made him anxious.

Meanwhile, Ford had walked into his office, still worried but holding on to hope. As soon as he stepped inside, his eyes landed on Kelvin, who was seated comfortably, waiting for him. In the corner of the room, there was another man standing quietly, almost blending into the background.

Ford walked straight in, his voice carrying a mix of relief and slight frustration. "Kelvin, you should have replied to my text. I’ve been waiting," he said, looking at his friend.

Kelvin looked up with a wide grin and stood, pulling Ford into a friendly hug. His laughter was light, teasing, and familiar. "I just wanted to make you a little worked up. You’ve been too tense lately," Kelvin joked, giving him a playful slap on the back.

Ford shook his head and let out a small laugh, though the stress was still clear on his face. "You never miss a chance to trouble me, do you?" he said softly before his tone grew more serious. "But please, tell me , what’s going on? Is there anything I need to know? I’m hoping you’ve got some vital information."

Kelvin, seeing the genuine concern in his friend’s eyes, reached for a document on the table and pushed it across to Ford. His expression turned more focused, the teasing gone from his voice. "Actually, yes," Kelvin said, his excitement hard to hide. "There’s a lot you need to hear, and honestly, some of it will amaze you."

Ford’s eyes widened slightly as he leaned forward, ready to hear every word.

Kelvin continued, lowering his voice a little. "We’ve identified the person who attacked Elena. And not only that , we’ve also found a strong lead on the scandal surrounding her. It’s not just random gossip, Ford. Someone’s behind this, and we’re finally getting close to the truth."

Just as Kelvin was about to explain more, his eyes shifted slightly and landed on Daniel, who was still standing at the side of the room, silent but clearly listening with interest. The sight of Daniel’s curious expression immediately raised a red flag for Kelvin. His excitement vanished, replaced by suspicion. His tone grew sharp as he paused, turning back to Ford.

"Can we be alone for this?" Kelvin asked, his discomfort obvious.

Ford blinked in surprise at the sudden change in his friend’s tone. "Is something the matter?" he asked, glancing around the room. His eyes landed on Daniel, who had barely moved, standing there like he was part of the furniture.

Then it clicked.

"Wait... is it Daniel?" Ford asked with a light chuckle, raising his brows. "Is he the reason you don’t feel comfortable talking?"

Kelvin said nothing at first, but the serious look on his face said more than words ever could.