Chapter 2: The Secret He Refused to Tell

Within seconds, doctors and servants rushed into Sebastian's bedroom.

The family physician immediately checked his pulse.

"Young Master is having another episode," he said anxiously.

"Prepare the medication!"

Sabrina stepped aside quietly.

She watched the doctors inject Sebastian while the servants moved with practiced precision.

This clearly wasn't the first time.

After nearly twenty minutes, Sebastian's breathing finally stabilized.

The physician let out a sigh of relief.

"He's out of danger for now."

Arthur Ford arrived shortly afterward in his wheelchair.

"What happened?"

"The old injury reopened because Young Master refused to rest," the doctor explained.

Arthur looked toward Sabrina.

"You were the one who found him?"

"Yes, Grandpa," Sabrina answered softly.

"Thank you, child."

"If you hadn't called us, the consequences could have been serious."

Sabrina lowered her eyes.

"I only did what anyone would have done."

Arthur smiled kindly.

"Not everyone would."

He knew exactly what kind of woman his grandson had married.

Not greedy.

Not heartless.

Just deeply wounded.

The following morning, Sabrina woke before sunrise.

She quietly prepared breakfast in the kitchen.

Although she had never lived in such a luxurious house, cooking was one of the few skills her mother had taught her.

The servants looked at her curiously.

"Young Madam, we can do that," one maid said.

"It's alright," Sabrina replied with a smile.

"I just want Grandpa to have a warm breakfast."

Arthur was delighted.

"It's been years since someone cooked for me personally."

Sebastian entered the dining room wearing a black suit.

His expression remained cold.

"You're awake," Arthur said happily.

"Sit down."

Sebastian noticed the breakfast.

"Who made this?"

"Sabrina did," Arthur answered proudly.

Sebastian looked at the dishes without saying anything.

He took a bite.

It tasted exactly like the meals his late mother used to prepare.

For a brief second, his expression softened.

Then it disappeared.

"It's acceptable," he said indifferently.

Sabrina simply nodded.

She wasn't expecting praise.

After breakfast, Sebastian stood up.

"Come with me."

Sabrina looked confused.

"Where?"

"Shopping."

"You represent the Ford family now."

"You can't continue dressing like this."

Half an hour later, they arrived at the city's most luxurious shopping mall.

Every boutique manager greeted Sebastian respectfully.

"Welcome, Mr. Ford."

"Prepare the newest collection."

Within minutes, dozens of dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry filled the private showroom.

Sabrina stood frozen.

"These are too expensive..."

"Buy everything," Sebastian interrupted.

The manager smiled.

"Of course, Mr. Ford."

Sabrina quickly stopped him.

"No, I don't need so many."

"Pick three outfits," Sebastian said coldly.

"The rest doesn't matter."

"I don't even know how much these cost."

"You don't need to."

His indifference hurt more than anger.

To him, money meant nothing.

To Sabrina, it could have saved her mother's life.

While trying on dresses, she overheard several wealthy women whispering nearby.

"Isn't that Sebastian Ford?"

"Who's the woman beside him?"

"Didn't he hate women?"

"I heard she just got out of prison."

"Really?"

"How disgusting."

Every word pierced Sabrina's heart.

She quietly lowered her head.

Sebastian heard them too.

Without warning, he turned toward the women.

"Apologize."

The women froze.

"Mr... Mr. Ford?"

"You heard me."

"Apologize to my wife."

The entire boutique fell silent.

Sabrina looked at him in disbelief.

Although his voice remained cold, he had defended her.

Reluctantly, the women bowed their heads.

"We're sorry, Mrs. Ford."

Sebastian didn't look at Sabrina afterward.

"Let's go."

On the drive home, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Sabrina gathered her courage.

"Thank you... for helping me today."

"Don't misunderstand," Sebastian replied without emotion.

"You carry the Ford name now."

"Insulting you insults my family."

"Nothing more."

The small warmth she had begun to feel instantly disappeared.

That evening, Sabrina wandered through the mansion's garden.

She found a small greenhouse filled with white lilies.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" Arthur's voice came from behind.

"Yes."

"Sebastian's mother loved these flowers."

"He planted them himself after she passed away."

Sabrina looked surprised.

"He did?"

"He wasn't always this cold," Arthur sighed.

"Something happened years ago."

"He never trusted anyone again."

"What happened?" Sabrina asked quietly.

Arthur remained silent for several moments.

"One day... I'll let Sebastian tell you himself."

Before Sabrina could ask more, a servant hurried toward them.

"Chairman!"

"There's an emergency at the company."

Arthur frowned.

"What happened?"

"Someone leaked confidential documents."

Sebastian immediately received the same phone call.

"I'm coming."

He left without another word.

Late that night, Sebastian finally returned.

His face was darker than ever.

He threw a thick file onto the coffee table.

"Explain this."

Sabrina looked down.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Inside the file were prison records.

Every page described the crime she had been convicted of.

Fraud.

Theft.

Forgery.

Sebastian's icy eyes locked onto hers.

"Tell me the truth."

"Were you really innocent..."

"Or did my grandfather bring a criminal into the Ford family?"