Chapter 13 She's Just Like a Mommy
The principal's expression immediately turned stern.
His tone carried several notes of mockery, "I don't know what sources you're getting your information from, but do you really think you can compare yourself to Mr. Hayes? Mr. Hayes has donated fifty million dollars to Windsor Academy."
The implication was clear—Alexander's son having certain privileges was perfectly normal.
Grace's opinion of Windsor Academy shifted somewhat.
Windsor Academy clearly wasn't as fair as its public image suggested. Despite its reputation for being just and scholarly, here was its principal spouting nothing but money-first attitudes.
Max suddenly let out a cold laugh.
The principal looked surprised. "Max, what are you laughing at?"
Max smiled suddenly, an elegant curve gracing his lips like a perfectly polite little gentleman, "My mommy is wonderful, gentle, and perfect. She's given me the warmest love in the world—her love is the most precious treasure of my life. She doesn't need to be compared to anyone. She's priceless!"
Grace was deeply moved. "Max."
"I don't have a father, so many people bully my mommy and hold prejudices against her. But in my heart, my mommy isn't unwanted—no one is worthy of her!" With that, he stood up and took Grace's hand. "Mommy, let's go!"
Max and Grace left the principal's office.
The principal's eyelid twitched.
Such profound and critically meaningful words—coming from the mouth of a seven-year-old child!
The assistant approached. "Principal, that child really is brilliant—a rare child prodigy. This exam was extremely difficult. Every other child failed completely, but he finished in just ten minutes and turned in a perfect score! Are you really going to miss out on such a gifted child?"
The principal stood up and rushed outside, but the mother and son were already nowhere to be seen.
...
At the school gates.
Grace and Max walked hand in hand toward the bus stop.
"Mommy, I didn't get accepted. Are you disappointed?" Max worried Grace might be upset.
Grace said, "How could I be? It's only because Mommy isn't capable enough that people look down on us."
Max protested, "Mommy is not incapable! Zara said Mommy gave up her career to take care of sick Max!"
Grace pinched Max's adorable little cheek. "Max, how lucky am I to have such a wonderful son!"
Max's face lit up with a smile that could melt the coldest winter snow.
Actually, he had no interest in attending some elite school.
A year ago, he'd already accumulated a net worth of hundreds of millions.
To support Max, Grace worked multiple jobs and in her spare time studied the stock market, opening a trading account.
Max had accidentally logged into Grace's stock market account and became fascinated with it.
In just one year, he'd made Grace's portfolio explode, investing in Bitcoin, metaverse assets, and various other holdings that skyrocketed his net worth.
Beyond that, he held controlling stakes in multiple multinational corporations—he was even the third-largest shareholder in Crest Corporation.
Grace knew none of these secrets.
In Mommy's eyes, he would always be her innocent little baby, and only in front of Grace did Max show his carefree, genuinely childlike side.
He'd decided that when the time was right, he would reveal all these secrets to Grace.
Max and Grace walked ahead while Liam, carrying his backpack, followed them from a distance, completely unnoticed by anyone.
"Liam is missing!"
The principal's panicked call reached Alexander's office at Crest Corporation.
Alexander had just finished a meeting when Windsor Academy called.
The principal stammered nervously, "Mr. Hayes... Liam suddenly disappeared! We searched the entire school building but can't find him anywhere... We've already called the police!"
The entire Windsor Academy was in chaos.
In the principal and teachers' eyes, Liam was a child with intellectual disabilities who never spoke and had developmental issues. Usually, he sat quietly alone in the corner of the classroom, never running around. Now that he was missing, naturally they feared the worst!
Alexander exploded with rage, "How were you supervising Liam? Such a small child just vanishes without a trace?"
The principal broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling, "We don't know how Liam disappeared! At that time, all the children were in the nap room. Liam was in a separate room by himself. The caregiver just went to the bathroom for a moment, and when she returned, Liam was gone."
"Could it be a kidnapping?" Jeremy asked fearfully.
Given Alexander's status, kidnapping Liam to extort the Hayes family wasn't impossible.
Alexander glared at Jeremy. "With all the security I've invested in Windsor Academy, how would kidnappers get into the school?"
The principal said, "Mr. Hayes, the police have arrived and are reviewing security footage. We'll cooperate with them to find Liam's whereabouts as soon as possible."
After hanging up.
Alexander stood with a dark expression.
In the executive office, all the secretaries and assistants nervously bowed their heads, too frightened to breathe at the sight of his face.
Alexander said, "Cancel all afternoon meetings. Put out word—use any means necessary. I want Liam found within twenty-four hours!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
After leaving the subway station.
Grace and Max went grocery shopping together, picking up ingredients.
Max treasured this warm atmosphere most. He stuck to Grace's side like a little tail, following her through aisle after aisle.
"Max, do you want these?" Grace picked up a bag of chips.
Max excitedly raised both hands. "Yes!"
Grace then picked up a variety pack, comparing prices. Watching Grace carefully calculate discounts and deals to buy his favorite snacks filled him with the kind of everyday warmth he cherished most.
Not far away, Liam stood in a corner, secretly watching. He had no idea that sneaking out of Windsor Academy had caused such an uproar, that the entire Hayes family was now searching the city for him. His eyes held only this gentle woman who made his heart race with longing.
Grace hadn't noticed the other little tail following her.
She pushed the shopping cart while Liam shadowed her every step. Whenever he saw Grace smile at Max, a faint, bittersweet feeling stirred in his heart.
Envy mixed with yearning.
This tender scene pierced his heart.
He'd been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Alexander never spared any love for him.
But in his heart, he also painted pictures of what a mother might look like.
He wanted a mommy—a warm, gentle mommy like Grace.
Liam secretly followed them all the way until Grace finished checking out, carrying shopping bags in one hand while holding Max's hand with the other as they headed home.
At their front door.
Grace and Max had just entered when Max obediently carried the groceries into the kitchen.
Outside, Liam watched Grace and Max disappear through the door. He lingered outside, hesitating as he stared at the somewhat worn iron gate. His bright eyes blinked softly, then suddenly he reached out and gently pressed the doorbell.
Grace heard the doorbell and felt puzzled.
Who could that be?
She walked to the door, and the moment she opened it, she saw Liam's face—beautiful as a little elf.
Grace's expression changed dramatically. "Liam?"