Mr Ford’s Wife

Elena’s discovery

“Please, let go of me,” Elena whispered, her voice shaky but determined. With every ounce of strength she could muster, she yanked her hands free from his grip and darted toward the nearest door, her hurried footsteps echoing in the hall as she disappeared from sight.

From the side, Daniel stood watching the entire scene unfold. A deep frown settled on his face as he tried to process what had just happened. How did his boss know Elena? And why did she seem so distressed?

Ford turned back to the group, forcing a smile as he addressed them. “Looks like she’s surprised to see me,” he said with a casual shrug. “I’ll make a proper introduction next time.”

Mr. Lugard chuckled heartily, his voice breaking the tense atmosphere. “Well, Mr. Johnson, it seems my son has already acclimatized with one of your daughters!” he said with obvious delight, clapping Mr. Johnson on the back.

Jane, standing nearby, shot her father an angry glare. This wasn’t going according to her plan, and she was growing more agitated by the second. Her mother, noticing her frustration, placed a calming hand on her arm, silently urging her to stay composed.

“Mr. Ford,” Mr. Johnson said, stepping forward and gesturing toward Jane, “you don’t need to concern yourself with Elena. This is my other daughter, Jane—more beautiful and far more suitable for you.” He placed a hand on Jane’s shoulder, pulling her closer for a formal introduction.

Ford’s father, Mr. Lugard, stiffened at the comment, his cheerful demeanor darkening. His brows furrowed as he fixed Mr. Johnson with a sharp look. “What do you mean, Mr. Johnson? Are you implying that your other daughter is not suitable? Why, then, would you propose her as a match for my other son?” His tone was no longer light, and his words carried a distinct edge.

Mr. Johnson opened his mouth to respond, but Mr. Lugard continued, his voice rising. “You were the one who told me you had a daughter for my eldest son. Then, after canceling that arrangement, you came back and suggested that both your daughters could marry both my sons. So tell me—what do you mean by saying one is suitable and the other is not? What game are you playing, Mr. Johnson?”

His tone had grown increasingly stern, and the tension in the room was palpable. Mr. Johnson faltered, struggling to form a coherent response under the weight of Mr. Lugard’s pointed accusations, while Jane’s face flushed with frustration, her mother nervously gripping her arm.

Ford remained silent, his mind lingering on Elena’s reaction. No matter what was happening around him, one thing was certain—this situation was far from over.

Ford couldn’t help but notice the layers of tension and complexity in Elena’s family. His sharp eyes caught the way she trembled when her gaze briefly met her mother’s. Something was clearly amiss, and it only deepened his curiosity.

“Yes, Mr. Johnson, what exactly do you mean by saying she isn’t befitting for me?” Ford asked, his tone calm but probing, trying to understand why a father would choose one daughter over the other so openly.

Mr. Johnson stood speechless, his discomfort evident in his expression. Before he could respond, his wife interjected, her voice calm and measured in an attempt to diffuse the tension. “Please, Mr. Lugard, don’t misunderstand my husband. All he meant was that my daughter here, Jane, has always admired Mr. Ford and the dedication he shows in his work.”

“Oh, really?” Mr. Lugard replied with a faint smile, though his tone hinted at skepticism. Jane’s mother’s explanation wasn’t entirely convincing, and the tension lingered in the air.

At that moment, another figure approached the group. “Dad, who are they?” Fredrick asked, joining the conversation with a curious expression.

“Oh, yes! This is my other son, Fredrick,” Mr. Lugard said, gesturing toward him proudly. “Fredrick, these are the Johnsons. And this young lady here is their daughter, Jane. You just missed their other daughter,” he added with a knowing smile.

Fredrick turned to Jane with a warm grin. “Nice to meet you, pretty damsel,” he said, his voice light and charming.

However, Jane’s face betrayed her true feelings. Her polite smile was thin, and her eyes clearly showed she wasn’t pleased. Her attention remained locked on Ford, who didn’t so much as glance in her direction.

“Dad, I’m heading out,” Ford announced suddenly, taking a step back from the group. “We’ll have a serious talk tomorrow. I’ll stop by then,” he added, ready to take his leave.

But just as he turned to go, Jane reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him mid-step. “You didn’t say goodbye to your fiancée,” she said softly, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. She added a playful pout, her attempt at a sweet, endearing expression.

Ford paused, then gently removed her hand from his, laughing lightly. “Looks like you got the wrong memo,” he said, his voice firm yet teasing. “I belong to your sister already.”

Jane’s face froze, her composure cracking for a brief moment as his words sank in. Meanwhile, Fredrick observed the exchange, raising an eyebrow at what just happened.

Everyone was confused by what Ford had just said. “What do you mean?” Fredrick asked, giving Ford a puzzled look. Smiling slyly, Ford replied, “Like I said, an announcement will be made soon. Dad will see you later.” With that, Ford walked away, leaving them all bewildered.

“What does he mean by that, sir?” Mr. Johnson asked, unable to hide his curiosity. Jane nodded in agreement with her stepfather’s question.

“Honestly speaking, I’m just as lost as you are. But I’ll get back to you on that, Mr. Johnson. Enjoy your night,” Mr. Luggard responded, smiling as he walked away with Fred, who couldn’t shake the growing frustration he felt. It was clear Ford was up to something big, and Fred hated not knowing what it was.