Chapter 17 Someone Actually Dared to Hit Him
Grace's mocking words had effectively silenced any response, the words dying in his throat.
This woman was far more sharp-tongued than he'd imagined.
Alexander said, "You..."
Grace mocked, "How nice it must be to have power and influence. You can make mistakes, hurt people, and never have to show any accountability."
Alexander asked, "So what exactly do you want?"
Seeing his terrible attitude, Liam placed his small hands on his hips and glared at him with cool displeasure.
Alexander suppressed his anger, forced down his temper, and remained silent.
Arrogance was carved into his very bones.
Grace's assessment was spot-on—he was someone who held himself to impossibly high standards. Since childhood, he rarely made mistakes, and even when he did, apologizing and bowing his head wasn't part of his belief system.
He considered apologies unnecessary, which made it fundamentally impossible for him to humble himself before anyone.
Seeing his continued silence, Liam poked at his chest, his delicate brows furrowed tightly, silently urging him on.
Alexander felt increasingly irritated. He stood up, habitually adjusting the diamond cufflinks at his sleeves, and reluctantly said to Grace, "Ms. Foster, I deeply regret this misunderstanding that led to your injuries."
His tone was particularly perfunctory. Accustomed to arrogance, he couldn't even maintain eye contact while delivering these words, his gaze drifting elsewhere.
Grace bit her lip, then suddenly got out of bed and walked up to him, tilting her face up to glare at him.
He was too tall.
She barely reached his chest. Despite being covered in injuries, she carried herself with an inviolable stubbornness.
Alexander looked down at her. She was wearing pajamas, her sexy ankles bare without socks, small and delicate as they pressed against the floor—particularly eye-catching.
"Alexander." Grace suddenly called his name.
Grace slapped him across the face.
She had just woken up and her hand was weak, but he was completely unprepared. The slap turned his face to the side, and soon a stark handprint appeared on his sharp cheekbone.
The slap rang out, crisp and clear.
Max jerked awake, lifting his head to witness this bizarre scene.
Alexander stood backlit, slowly turning his head back, his dark, predatory eyes seeming to brew with explosive fury.
But Grace simply smiled. "Mr. Hayes, I deeply regret my rudeness just now."
From childhood to now, no one had ever struck him, especially not his face.
Now, his face was the very symbol of Hayes family power.
Liam was also stunned, forgetting to even blink.
When Alexander recovered from his shock—realizing this woman had actually dared to strike his face—his anger flared. He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him. "Are you trying to provoke me?"
Grace replied, "I'm simply following your example of how to apologize!"
Alexander said, "I lowered myself to admit fault because I didn't want Liam to be upset. Do you really think this was my mistake?"
Grace stared at him in disbelief, finding this man utterly unreasonable. "Don't tell me it was my fault?"
Alexander said, "My son is only seven years old—he can't distinguish good from evil or right from wrong. I had every reason to suspect you of luring my son away to extort money from me."
"You're insane!" Grace felt this man seemed to suffer from paranoid delusions. "You're Alexander Hayes—who would dare try to extort you? Besides, you claim I lured your son away—do you have any proof?"
Alexander was speechless.
"Can you just pin trumped-up charges on me without any evidence?" Grace demanded. "I'll sue you for defamation!"
"Sue me?" Alexander acted as if he'd heard a joke. "You want to sue me? Grace, I'd advise you to save your energy. Don't even think about taking me to court—I'm afraid you can't afford the legal fees."
Liam grabbed Alexander's arm and positioned himself protectively in front of Grace, glaring at him with fierce determination.
Max also walked over and pushed against Alexander, "Let go of my mommy!"
Grace said, "Max, we're leaving."
She broke free from Alexander's grip, took Max's hand, and turned to go.
Seeing her about to leave, Liam panicked and rushed over to wrap his arms tightly around her legs.
Unable to move with Liam clinging to her, Grace looked down at him.
Alexander said, "Grace, let's set aside our personal grievances for now. Liam watched over you all night and hasn't eaten anything."
He could see that Liam genuinely liked Grace, and he wanted to convince her to stay.
Although he felt no emotional attachment to this former wife, Liam rarely took such a liking to anyone. If Grace left and Liam went on another hunger strike, it would be very difficult for him to handle.
Hearing that Liam had watched over her all night, Grace's heart softened with warmth. But thinking of the man's terrible attitude, she glanced back at Alexander and still felt nothing but disgust.
Alexander said, "I promised your son I'd take full responsibility for this matter until you've fully recovered. I'll get you the best doctors, and I can also offer you compensation."
"I don't want compensation," Grace said. "I just want you to sincerely apologize."
Grace turned around. "Mr. Hayes, will you apologize? A sincere ninety-degree bow with a genuine apology."
For the first time in his life, Alexander heard someone dare to make such a demand of him.
A bow. Ninety degrees.
"And say 'I'm sorry,'" Grace added.
Alexander's expression grew even darker.
Liam turned back to look at him with pleading eyes. Finally, he spoke, "Apologize."
"It's just an apology. Is it really that difficult?" Grace said. "Or is it that the mighty CEO of Crest Corporation can't lower his precious pride?"
Alexander suppressed the burning sensation rising in his chest and slowly bent forward, though the words of apology seemed stuck in his throat.
"I'm sorry." This was already his absolute limit.
After hearing this, Grace knew that this conceited man had already humbled himself to the greatest extent possible.
But she understood he was only doing it because Liam was so fond of her.
He truly doted on Liam.
Alexander said, "Get back in bed. I'll have the doctor examine you again."
Grace replied, "No need."
God only knew if this man would use the doctor's examination as an opportunity to check for other things.
She now felt nothing but wariness toward him.
But Liam took her hand and gently pulled her toward the bed.
Unable to refuse him, Grace had no choice but to lie back down.
Hayes Manor employed over a dozen family physicians who worked in twenty-four-hour rotating shifts.
Soon, several female doctors entered the room.
Seeing Alexander still standing by the bed, Grace said, "Could you please leave?"
Alexander's expression shifted slightly. He turned and walked out, pausing at the door to tell Max and Liam, "You two come out as well."
Max looked puzzled, "Why?"
The doctor said gently, "Boys, could you wait outside until the examination is finished?"
Liam obediently walked out of the room, and Max followed closely behind.
The door closed.
Liam looked at Alexander, father and son staring at each other.
Liam gazed at the bright red handprint on Alexander's face, pressed his lips together, and regarded him with sympathetic eyes.
Logically, since Alexander was his biological father, he should feel indignant and heartbroken that his dad had been slapped by another woman. But he felt no emotional response whatsoever. Instead, he found himself seriously contemplating how much Grace's hand must hurt after slapping his daddy's face so hard it turned red.
Alexander had no idea that Liam's loyalty had already shifted to the other side.