Chapter 180 The Hollow Feeling Inside

• Ford Bannister’s stare made Huang Qianqian’s heart jolt. She started shaking, couldn’t help it. Still, she squared her shoulders, trying to scrape together some confidence. She forced herself to speak. “So you’re saying the bruises on Yangyang were self-inflicted?” “Ford, Yangyang really did it to himself. It wasn’t me.” Elena Lundberg threw herself against Ford’s chest, tears soaking his shirt. Ford’s brows knit even tighter. He was about to blow when a voice suddenly sounded from outside the room. “Ford, what brings you here today?” Jerome Lundberg appeared in the doorway. Huang Qianqian grabbed at the lifeline and rushed over—only to be stopped short by Jerome’s arm. He wasn’t a fool. With the air this tense, there was no way he couldn’t tell something was off. His gaze fell on Huang Qianqian, and a shadow crossed his eyes. No time for niceties—he stepped up to Ford with a strained smile. “Ford, uh, Miss Huang just got here. She’s still learning the ropes. If she did anything out of line and upset you, please don’t be mad.” “If you say so, Mr. Lundberg, who am I to be mad?” Ford let out a cold laugh and eased a step back, widening the gap between them. Then he cupped Elena’s head with one hand, lifting the other to block Jerome from coming closer. “Elena is your daughter, Mr. Lundberg. Since when does an outsider get a say in Lundberg family matters?” “You’d better think carefully about whose shoulders carry the Lundberg name. Don’t bet on the wrong horse.” Jerome jolted like he’d been doused in ice water. His eyes went dark. After two, three seconds of thought, he lifted his head fast, his face gone cold. “Miss Huang, haven’t I told you? Elena is the lady of the house. What did you do to her? You’re a grown woman—why are you picking fights with a kid?” “I didn’t.” Huang Qianqian stared, stunned. She was about the same age as Elena. Jerome knew exactly how high-and-mighty Elena acted at home. How was this suddenly her fault? “Apologize to Elena.” Jerome’s voice left no room for argument. The warmth in his eyes was gone. Panic rushed up on Huang Qianqian. She pressed her lips into a hard line and grudgingly whispered, “Sorry.” Elena dabbed away her tears and spoke gently, like she was the bigger person. “It’s okay, Aunt Huang. I get that you were thinking of your son. Next time, let’s talk it out, alright?” “Elena, you’re too kind,” Ford murmured, stroking her long dark hair, eyes full of aching tenderness. Then his tone swung, arrowing back at Jerome. “Mr. Lundberg, I don’t want Elena or me getting hurt before our wedding. I trust you love your daughter.” “Of course, of course. Elena’s my girl—how could I let her be wronged? Elena, this one’s on me. I didn’t keep an eye on things and you got hurt. Don’t worry, this won’t happen again.” “Mm-hmm. I believe you, Daddy.” Jerome thumped his chest in promise. Elena eased with it, and Ford’s face finally, barely cooled. He took Elena upstairs. Just as he turned to leave, someone grabbed his sleeve. He looked back. Elena was half-reclining on the bed, collar gaping, skin gleaming—temptation in full bloom. Ford’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His voice went rough. Her soft, sultry whisper slid into the quiet. “Ford, stay with me. Please?” Her pale, slender fingers climbed his chest, slipped past his shirt buttons, and reached in. Warm breath spilled against his ear, eyes a smoky lure—Elena teased him, tugging hard at his nerves. Dizzy with heat, Ford followed her lead, lowering himself. But the instant their lips touched, a face flashed in his mind—Reilly Schulze’s stubborn little chin. Ford snapped out of it, pushed Elena away, stood up fast, sucking in air. “No. This isn’t right.” “Ford? What’s wrong?” Elena hadn’t expected it. Panic flickered across her eyes. Ford just smoothed the wrinkles from his shirt, turned on his heel, and left without looking back. Only his words hung in the air—“Get some rest. I’ll come by another day.” Eyes swimming, Elena clenched her fists. Crimson swallowed the light in her gaze. It was only early fall, but the weather had cooled; nights were a little cold. Reilly Schulze sat in her usual small pavilion, eyes drifting over the sky, looking faraway. The guy in black beside her was getting antsy. He raked both hands through his hair, paced, then swung back. “After a mess like that, you still want to take a risk?” Hank Schulze had no clue what his sister was thinking. Every time, she wore that cool, in-control look that made him want to smash it. “Hank, it was just an accident. I didn’t lose much. Besides, the Qiao family going bust is good for us, isn’t it?” Reilly glanced at the man half-hidden in the dark. Something strange flickered in her chest, then settled. “Hank, I want to go big this time. You’ll back me, right?” She lifted her bright eyes to his—stars in the night, jewels behind museum glass. Stunning. Hard to refuse. Hank smiled as he came closer, resting his fingers on her shoulder. “Yeah. Of course.” His little toy was getting bolder by the day. Who’d have thought the Schulze family had someone who could match his frequency? The days ahead were going to be fun. A crooked smile touched his mouth; his eyes sank a shade darker. Night deepened. Only a few stars hung overhead, winking on and off. On the way to walk Reilly back to her dorm, Hank suddenly stopped. Like something clicked, he dug into his sling bag and pulled out two invitations. “Just remembered—there’s an auction in three days. You should go. I think there’s something you’ll like.” Reilly took the invitation. Her gaze locked on the words, and she murmured, “Jewelry exhibition.” Her lashes fluttered, hiding the thoughts in her eyes. After a few seconds, she came back to herself. “Okay. I’ll go.” Maybe it was just him, but Hank’s smile seemed to brighten after she said it. After saying goodbye, Reilly didn’t head to her dorm. She turned off the path and slipped out along a narrow lane. In the car, Reilly leaned back in her seat, face set. Even Yael Booker got tense, breath going soft. Finally, Reilly let out a sigh and spoke, steady and serious. “Did you look into Bannister Group’s pharmaceutical arm?”