Chapter 184 Why Don't You Go Die?
Jeremy almost bit his tongue.
He shouldn't have asked.
That price was staggering.
Alexander said, "This one—gift-wrap it."
"Of course,” the store manager replied.
The manager wrapped the necklace, and Jeremy took it carefully.
As soon as Alexander got into the car, his phone rang.
The call was from William Hayes—Alexander's father.
Alexander answered, "Hello?"
William said, "Alexander, how have you been lately?"
The brief exchange underscored the distance between them.
Since his mother's death, his father had remarried and built a business empire overseas. They rarely saw each other, and Alexander wasn't close to William.
William wanted to show concern but didn't know where to start—willing but helpless.
“Everything’s fine,” Alexander said.
“Your grandmother called me. She said you’ve found your son, who’s been missing for seven years. Is that true?” William asked.
"Yes."
"Who's the boy's mother?” William asked.
“Grace,” Alexander replied.
"Your ex-wife?" William paused. "Have you regained custody?"
“Since you brought it up, Father, I have something to report to you as well,” Alexander said.
William was taken aback. "What is it?"
Alexander said, "Father, I want to remarry Grace."
His tone was matter-of-fact; he wasn’t asking for permission.
As a father, William knew his son's character all too well. Once Alexander made a decision, no one could change his mind.
“Have you made up your mind?” William asked.
Alexander hummed in acknowledgment. "I assume you won't object to my remarrying Grace."
“Alexander, since you've decided, we should at least arrange to meet. When are you planning this?” William said.
Alexander said, "I’ll make arrangements. When will you return to the country?"
William thought for a moment. "Next week. I'll bring Samantha with me."
Samantha Hayes was the woman William had married after Alexander's mother died—Alexander's stepmother.
She was much younger than William—only three years older than Alexander—and she relied on youth and looks.
When the marriage was first announced, Grandmother Mary had strongly opposed it. It wasn't that she disagreed with William remarrying, but she didn't want this woman joining the Hayes family. Mary was concerned about the family's vast wealth and worried the woman was only after the Hayes fortune.
To marry Samantha, William had accepted Mary's harsh conditions and signed multiple prenuptial agreements with Samantha. Over the years, Samantha had never given William any children, partly because 'remaining childless' was part of their agreement.
By marrying William, she couldn't bear children who might compete with Alexander for inheritance.
Samantha had signed those papers.
After the wedding, William followed Mary's wishes, transferring all stocks and real estate—assets worth hundreds of billions—into Alexander's name, keeping only a few billion as he started anew overseas.
Alexander had inherited the Hayes family fortune when he came of age.
William had naturally done this for his son. When Alexander was in a coma for two years, Samantha had persistently asked to give him children to inherit the Hayes fortune, but William had refused.
Though Alexander felt distant from William, he respected him; his relationship with his stepmother was indifferent rather than hostile.
“Understood,” Alexander said.
After hanging up, Jeremy summed up the call. "Mr. William Hayes is returning next week?"
William remained the nominal chairman of the Hayes family board.
Alexander said, "He wants to meet Grace."
“How should we arrange it? Should I book a restaurant?” Jeremy asked.
Alexander said, "Since it's a family dinner, let's meet at home."
"Got it."
Jeremy nodded.
He looked at the shopping bag and asked, "When are you planning to give this gift to Ms. Foster?"
“Tonight,” Alexander said.
“Won’t that be too casual?” Jeremy asked.
Alexander turned and asked leisurely, "Then what do you think I should do to make it less casual?"
Jeremy said, "At least arrange a romantic setting."
“Such as?” Alexander asked.
Jeremy said, "I've seen in TV dramas where the male lead creates a mysterious surprise in a romantic setting, and the female lead is so moved she breaks down in tears and is won over on the spot."
Alexander mocked, "You watch TV dramas?"
Jeremy not only watched dramas; he also read romance novels.
Alexander said, "If you have ideas, arrange them properly. But I won't tolerate any mistakes. If there's even the slightest error, I'll dock your quarterly bonus."
Jeremy swallowed hard. "Alright, I'll give it my all, as long as you follow my instructions."
Alexander was a hopeless romantic disaster, seemingly allergic to romance. Jeremy worried that after all his careful planning, Alexander might refuse to go through with it.
Alexander said, "I told you, I only care about results, not process."
“How about I take Ms. Foster to an amusement park, you dress up in a mascot costume, then mysteriously appear to give her the gift? When she's stunned, you remove the headpiece and let her discover you orchestrated this whole surprise. She'll definitely be moved...” Jeremy proposed.
“Why don't you just die?” Alexander snapped.
Jeremy fell silent.
Alexander said, "Such childish tricks—are you using company time to satisfy your twisted sense of humor?"
He suspected Jeremy wanted to humiliate him despite years of loyal service.
Jeremy awkwardly touched his nose. "You're right, Mr. Hayes. After all, as the multi-billionaire CEO of Crest Corporation, dressing as a mascot would be beneath your dignity."
He had only imagined the image as adorably ironic.
Jeremy continued, "Mr. Hayes, you could also take Ms. Foster to an amusement park and ride the Ferris wheel together. When it reaches the top, confess to her and give her the gift. I'll arrange for the park staff to set off fireworks."
“Think again,” Alexander said.
They walked toward the garage together.
Half an hour later, Alexander arrived home.
As soon as Grace saw him, her expression shifted. "You're back!"
Alexander could immediately see through her thoughts.
Clearly, yesterday's neck-measuring incident had made her overthink and created serious psychological trauma.
However, he wasn't in a hurry to explain.
Alexander asked, "Have you eaten?"
"No—I was waiting for you."
Grace stood up immediately. "I'll call Max and Liam."
Alexander nodded and sat down in the dining room.
Grace gently ushered Max and Liam out of their room like a mother hen.