Chapter 19 Alexander's Episode
The next day.
Crest Corporation conference room.
All the executives sat at attention, waiting for Alexander to hold his routine morning meeting as usual.
"Mr. Hayes is here."
The meeting secretary announced.
As soon as Alexander entered, the spacious conference room fell silent.
The sound of a file report hitting the floor.
Alexander took his seat with composure, dressed in a crisp suit with his hair perfectly styled, but the handprint on his face hadn't faded yet—it was far too conspicuous.
The subordinates quietly observed the glaring fingerprint marks that had suddenly appeared on his face, their imaginations running wild.
Alexander's private life was famously clean. Aside from Emily, no woman could get close to him.
Could it be that Alexander and Emily had gotten into a fight?
Alexander swept his gaze across the room, taking in his subordinates' curious expressions, and said coldly, "Seen enough?"
The conference room became even more deathly quiet.
Everyone guiltily lowered their heads, though people still stole glances from time to time.
Alexander curved his thin lips, his tone icy with menace, "Anyone who hasn't seen enough can stand in front of me—I'll let you get your fill."
With that, he opened the files beside him, his knuckles lightly tapping the marble surface. "Let's begin the meeting."
The conference room felt like it had been swept by an arctic wind, and everyone shivered in unison.
After the meeting ended.
Jeremy followed closely behind Alexander as they walked toward his office.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally decided to inquire, "Mr. Hayes, the injury on your face?"
Alexander pressed down his brows. "Shut up."
Jeremy wished he could sew his mouth shut.
"Have you finished investigating what I asked you to look into?"
Jeremy said, "All cleared up. Mr. Hayes, you did indeed wrongly accuse Ms. Foster. Yesterday, the reason she appeared at Windsor Academy was to bring Max for the entrance examination. Windsor Academy offers one scholarship spot each year, and the test is extremely difficult. All the students failed completely—only Max passed the exam."
"And the result?"
"The principal rejected his application because Max comes from a single-parent household."
Alexander pondered briefly. "What about the assault incident—is that cleared up?"
Jeremy replied, "Investigated. They were all detained suspects who heard that Ms. Foster was a human trafficker and got emotionally worked up, so they attacked her."
Alexander said, "Give them the maximum sentence."
Jeremy nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Alexander!"
At the office doorway, Emily had been waiting for quite some time.
Alexander stopped. "What brings you here?"
Emily wore a white business suit as she walked toward him. "I have the day off and wanted to ask if you're free for lunch."
As she approached, she immediately noticed the red marks on Alexander's face and froze. "Alexander, what happened to your face?"
The fingerprint was so clear that it was obvious someone had slapped him.
Alexander frowned slightly. "It's nothing."
Emily asked with concern, "Who did this? Was it Mary?"
Alexander replied, "Mm."
Emily seemed somewhat skeptical. "Mary has always doted on you—how could she bear to hit you?"
Alexander changed the subject. "Didn't you invite me to lunch? I'm free at noon."
Emily was perceptive enough to realize that Alexander was clearly avoiding the topic, so she didn't press further.
...
Late that night.
Alexander returned to Hayes Manor after midnight.
As soon as he entered, a servant took his coat and reported on Liam's condition, "Liam was very happy today. He stayed with Ms. Foster all day, and Ms. Foster found the storybooks you bought for Liam and read him many fairy tales. They're both asleep now."
Alexander acknowledged this and headed upstairs.
The servant immediately added, "Liam is sleeping in Ms. Foster's room tonight."
Alexander paused, then turned toward Grace's room.
The door opened gently.
A warm wall lamp glowed beside the bed.
Grace lay in the middle, with Max and Liam on either side of her.
Due to her injuries, she could only sleep on her back. The two boys—one hugging her neck, the other her waist—slept peacefully.
Alexander walked to the bedside, looking at Liam's adorable sleeping face, then slowly bent down to gently kiss his forehead.
Emily's words echoed in his ears, 'Alexander... a woman's youth is precious. I've waited for you all these years, not for status, but because you're the man I've decided to love and wait for my entire life. I've waited so many years and prepared myself mentally for everything. I swear I'll give Liam a warm home and be the best wife to you and the best mother to Liam. When... when will you marry me?'
Alexander's fingers gently brushed across Liam's face.
Nearby, Max quietly opened his eyes. In the lamplight, Alexander's handsome profile as he kissed Liam was gentle and charming.
He had never seen Alexander so tender.
Perhaps only when facing Liam would he soften his arrogance and sharp edges, revealing such precious tenderness.
He was Liam's father, and also his father.
But Max couldn't acknowledge him.
If he did, he would have to be separated from Mommy.
Once, Max hadn't cared, but now, seeing Alexander kiss Liam with such gentle, loving affection, for a moment he found himself yearning for the paternal love that was so close yet untouchable.
Alexander didn't notice that Max had awakened. When he stood up, Max quickly closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
He glanced at Max, then at Grace, before turning to leave the room and gently closing the door.
Max buried his little face in Grace's neck, stopped overthinking, and closed his eyes to sleep.
A gentle hand softly stroked his hair.
Grace hadn't been sleeping. She was a light sleeper and had awakened when Alexander entered the room. She had kept her eyes barely open and saw Max secretly watching Alexander and Liam, with what seemed like a touch of envy in his eyes.
Deep down, was he also longing for paternal love?
Grace slipped out of bed, tucked the covers around both little ones, and left the room.
The empty hallway stretched through Hayes Manor, vast and unfamiliar.
This late at night, even the servants had retired, and on the entire third floor, only one room had its lights on.
Grace walked over. The door was slightly ajar, and through the gap, she could see Alexander gripping a pen, signing some documents.
Working this late?
Grace turned to leave, but after a few steps, she suddenly heard labored breathing coming from the study.
The rapid breathing, accompanied by a man's hoarse gasps, was followed by a thud—the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.
Such familiar breathing—she recognized it all too well.
Grace nervously returned to the doorway and pushed the door wide open to see Alexander collapsed on the carpet, lying face-up. His breathing grew increasingly labored, his handsome face flushed and contorted with extreme pain as his hands pressed tightly against the carpet.
Respiratory distress!