Chapter 15 That Woman—You Know Her Too, Mr. Hayes
Grace had never had a real gun pointed at her before. Her heart trembled, and at the same time, she worried they might accidentally hurt Liam. She could only shout in protest, "You've misunderstood! I didn't kidnap..."
Max, anxious to protect Grace, stepped in front of her, arms spread wide. "Put the guns down! Don't hurt my mommy!"
"Take the child away!"
The patrol officers assumed Grace was a repeat offender, and Max was just another child she had abducted. Several officers rushed forward and scooped Max up in their arms.
Max struggled violently. "Let go! Let go of me!"
"Take easy, you're safe now!"
Max grew desperate. "She's my mommy! She's not a kidnapper!"
"Max!" Grace was at her wit's end, wanting to move forward, but was forced back by the guns aimed at her.
A patrol officer interrupted her explanation. "Hand over the child!"
Grace had no choice but to let go of Liam.
The officers immediately rushed forward, took Liam away, and quickly restrained Grace.
…
At the Hayes Manor.
Alexander parked his car at the entrance and casually tossed the keys to the butler.
Jeremy came up to him. "Mr. Hayes, they've found them. Liam is safe and sound."
Alexander scrutinized him. "What happened exactly?"
Jeremy replied, "The police said the kidnapper has already been detained."
"Kidnapper?" Alexander said coldly, "Who would dare try to abduct my son?"
Jeremy kept his eyes down and said, "You know the woman, Mr. Hayes."
"Who?"
"Grace... Ms. Foster."
Alexander's face froze.
Grace? What was she trying to do?
Alexander asked, "Where's Liam?"
Jeremy answered, "Upstairs, calm and quiet. The other child has been brought back as well."
Alexander went upstairs. As he reached the door, several servants and bodyguards stood guard, immediately taking out the keys to unlock the door when they saw him.
As soon as the door opened and he stepped inside, a figure stood in the doorway.
Alexander stopped in his tracks.
Max stood there, his whole demeanor icy cold. He raised his head, his eyes scrutinizing Alexander with a chill, his childish voice now tinged with a cold sharpness, as if looking at an enemy.
Seeing his little face tense, Alexander reached out, wanting to touch him, but Max grabbed his hand and bit down hard on his wrist.Alexander winced, trying to pull his hand back.
But Max held on tightly, refusing to let go.
Alexander quickly adapted to the pain, gritting his teeth. "Max, have you bitten enough?"
It was clear he was furious, venting all his anger on Alexander.
Alexander commanded, "Let go."
Max only bit harder, as if using this childish act to fiercely retaliate against the man who had sent his mommy to the police station as a kidnapper.
Alexander had to pinch his jaw to force him to let go. He glanced at the deep bite marks on his wrist, his jaw tense.
He looked around.
The whole room was a mess, things smashed to the floor, including several expensive vases, shattered into pieces by Max.
"When will you release my mommy?" Max threatened, "If you don't, I'll make Hayes Group go bankrupt!"
He was both angry and anxious. The thought of Grace suffering at the police station made him hate the man before him to the core.
He knew this man was his biological father, but so what?
If he ever hurt Grace, Max would never acknowledge him as his father!
If he bullied Grace, Max would fight him to the end.
Alexander, however, laughed. "You want me to go bankrupt?"
A seven-year-old child—where did he get the confidence to threaten his business empire?
"You don't believe me?" Max gave a sly smile. "You can try if you don't believe it!"
Alexander was momentarily speechless.
Looking at Max's determined eyes, it was as if his bold words would certainly come true!
Liam, who had been sitting on the bed, rushed over when he saw Alexander, his little fists pounding on Alexander.
Alexander had never seen Liam so out of control before. Liam was always quiet, never spoke, never showed emotion.
It was his first time seeing Liam so angry.
Alexander grabbed his fists and asked, "Liam, what's wrong?"
He asked, then laughed at himself, suddenly realizing Liam wouldn't answer—he couldn't speak.
But the next moment, Liam spoke, word by word, clear and articulate: "I want her!"
Alexander held his breath.
For the first time in years, he heard Liam speak, clear-minded, articulate, and with a commanding tone—just like a miniature version of himself.
Outside, hurried footsteps approached, followed by Mary’s anxious voice.
"Liam, my darling! Quick, let me see if you're hurt!"
Mary rushed in and went straight to Liam. "Liam! You scared me so much!"
She hugged Liam tightly, her heart aching. The moment she heard Liam was in trouble and brought back to Hayes Manor, she only wanted to see him safe.
But Liam, unwilling, pushed Mary away.
Mary looked surprised. "Liam, what's wrong? You don't like great-grandma anymore?"
Liam looked at Alexander, stubbornly repeating word by word, "I want her!"
Though Liam didn’t name names, Alexander, knowing his son well, understood who "her" was. Grace.
What had she done to so easily win Liam's heart, not only making him speak but making him refuse anyone else?
As Alexander pondered, Mary was beside herself with excitement.
Liam's clear words left Mary stunned. "Liam… my Liam can really talk!"
The Liam everyone thought was mute had finally spoken!
After a long shock, Mary turned to Alexander, babbling with joy. "Liam finally spoke!"
"Grandma, calm down," Alexander said, much more composed. He had never believed his son was mute; he was sure Liam could speak and think, just unwilling to do so.
Now that his son was asking for someone, how could he refuse?
Alexander said, "Jeremy."
"Yes, Mr. Hayes?" Jeremy stepped in.
"Bring that woman to me."
"Yes, sir."
Jeremy immediately went to carry out the order.
Night fell.
In the Hayes Manor dining room.
Max and Liam sat across from Alexander, both looking icy cold, especially Liam, as if he were Alexander’s clone.
Mary sat nearby, looking worried and coaxing Liam gently, "Liam, sweetheart, please eat something, okay?"
Liam refused to eat, as if on a hunger strike.