Chapter 4
Richard rushed over when he heard the commotion.
Seeing me lying on the floor in a mess, he just scolded Anna lightly.
He said, "Anna, you're way out of line.
"Her face is a mess. How are we supposed to explain this to the Ford family? Go to your room and reflect on what you've done."
Anna got her way.
She gave me a triumphant look, smirked at my swollen cheek, snorted dismissively, and strode right past me.
Only then did Richard give me a cursory glance.
He frowned and said, "Go find some ointment and put it on.
I staggered to my feet.
Still feeling oddly calm, I replied softly, "Dad, the Ford family has already arrived. If we keep them waiting, they may be upset."
Richard nodded, completely ignoring the bruise on my face.
Without another word, he ordered the bodyguards to take my luggage away.
Lucas Ford wasn't there, so I got in the car with his assistant, Ryan Lewis.
In the rearview mirror, I watched the villa where I spent over twenty years slowly fade away. The car raced through the storm, heading straight for the airport.
Ryan's brow was tightly furrowed as he said, "Mrs. Ford, because of the weather, air traffic control hasn't cleared the private jet for takeoff yet. We'll have to wait until the weather gets better."
I nodded and meekly settled into the lounge sofa.
Soon after, Ryan had someone bring me some ointment for the swelling.
I opened the door and took a quick glance, spotting Ryan still waiting outside.
I thought for a moment and then said, "I can take care of my face myself, but there's a large bruise on my back. Could you please find a female staff member to help me with the ointment?"
The downpour lasted all night.
It wasn't until dawn that the weather barely began to let up.
Ryan knocked on the lounge door.
"Mrs. Ford, the jet's been cleared for takeoff. It's time to get ready," he said.
I answered softly, my fingers lightly grazing my swollen cheek.
I said, "Ryan, it's hard to put on the ointment while we're on the plane.
"Could you ask that staff member to come back again? It still stings a little."
Ryan didn't suspect a thing.
It wasn't long before the same young woman came in again, pushing open the door.
We exchanged a smile.
Just then, a loud bang echoed from outside the lounge.
It was Charles's voice.
Someone said, "Stop. Mr. Peyton, you can't—"
Charles said, "Get out of my way. I said get out of my way. Hand Emily over to me!"
Charles was dressed in a brand-new outfit, flanked by a line of bodyguards from the Peyton family.
He was facing off against Ryan and a few others, the tension in the air so thick one could practically feel the sparks flying.
"Ryan, give Emily to me, now!" Charles shouted.
Charles had Ryan by the collar, but Ryan didn't even blink.
He said, "Mr. Peyton, watch yourself.
"Mrs. Ford is resting. Are you trying to pick a fight with the Ford family?"
Charles looked like he just heard the most ridiculous joke ever.
He was so furious that he was practically gasping for air, his chest heaving with rage.
Charles said, "Mrs. Ford? Bullshit.
"Emily is mine. I went to the Saunders family first thing this morning to propose, and that bastard Richard told me you snatched her away before dawn to marry her off. What the hell is this? Are you just stealing her?"
Ryan held Charles firmly by the collar, not letting go.
He said, "Mr. Peyton, you already had your shot.
"At the party, you were the one who chose Ms. Anna yourself."
Charles was at a loss for words.
He didn't bother arguing with Ryan anymore and was about to storm in with his crew.
Charles shouted, "Bullshit. I got played.
"Move. Emily belongs to me. I'm taking her away, right now!"
Charles's voice was ragged and hoarse, barely holding together.
Thuds and scuffles erupted outside, and chaos broke out in an instant. Ryan dropped all pretense of civility, about to give the order for his bodyguards to take action.
A staff member suddenly burst in, shouting, "Something's wrong.
"Ryan, Mrs. Ford is missing. The bathroom window's wide open.
"She ran away."