Chapter 41 Who Exactly Is This Man?
Grace watched with rapt attention, her fists clenched in excitement.
Beside her, Max was practically bouncing with starry-eyed enthusiasm. "Fight! Fight!"
The mother-son duo were classic drama lovers—the type who thrived on watching chaos unfold.
Alexander glanced over at Grace. She'd applied light, elegant makeup that made her eyes shimmer like pools of water, and her cheeks were flushed pink with excitement. He found himself thinking she looked adorable.
Adorable... Why had that word come to mind?
He snapped back to attention, only to notice that Liam had also clenched his little fists, his eyes sparkling as he joined the spectator squad.
Mia clutched her bag protectively, as if afraid someone might snatch it away. Through tears, she declared, "This is my bag, and I absolutely refuse to sell it!"
Susan looked disappointed. "Mia, I never realized you were such a materialistic girl."
Evelyn continued wearing her apologetic smile, while David grumbled defensively, "Mia has been the pampered princess of the Foster family since childhood. This bag was Jayden's gift to her—since when do gifts get returned?"
Amelia scoffed contemptuously. "The Foster family? Never heard of them. What kind of nobody family is this? Does buying a handbag require parental approval?" She turned to Mia with disdain. "This bag isn't meant for someone like you—you don't have the status for it!"
Mia, spoiled since birth, spoke without thinking. "What do you mean 'someone like me'? And what makes you so special? Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you deserve it more than I do! You're not even that young anymore. I'm younger than you, so why shouldn't I have the right to carry it? You old hag!"
Amelia's biggest insecurity was being called old. She spent a fortune on skincare and cosmetic procedures, constantly fighting to maintain a youthful appearance.
Hearing Mia dare to call her an old hag, Amelia didn't hesitate—she raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap across Mia's face.
"You little brat! Do you have any idea who I am?"
The slap sent Mia stumbling into Jayden's arms, her hand flying to her stinging cheek as tears of humiliation filled her eyes.
Amelia's gaze was ice-cold. "My husband is Joshua Thomas! My name is Amelia Martinez. You'd better ask around about my status versus yours before you dare get uppity with me!"
The moment she revealed her identity, everyone froze in shock.
This was the Amelia!
The Thomas family was legendary, and Amelia Martinez was notorious throughout high society. Not a single person present would dare cross her.
Both of Jayden's parents stood stunned.
Even David was intimidated.
Just as Amelia was about to continue her tirade, her peripheral vision caught something.
Everyone else in the room was standing, but Alexander and Grace remained seated with the two children.
Amelia recognized Alexander immediately, her pupils contracting in surprise.
She quickly smoothed her appearance and glided over to Alexander with practiced grace.
Alexander raised his finger to his lips, signaling her to keep quiet.
Amelia understood immediately.
Alexander always kept a low profile, so she didn't make a big show of it—but her complete change in demeanor was unmistakable.
The crowd was even more stunned.
Amelia's reputation already outclassed everyone else present.
What kind of background did this man have to make her bow her head and wear such a respectful smile?
Amelia didn't pay attention to Grace beside him, assuming she was a nanny. She addressed Alexander politely, "Mr. Hayes, what brings you here?"
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Amelia is being so respectful to this man!"
"Isn't that woman next to him Grace?"
"Grace? David's daughter with his first wife? She's all grown up now?"
"She cut ties with the Foster family years ago and disappeared... I heard this man is her husband!"
"My God! What kind of connections does her husband have? I know Amelia—she's high society's most domineering matron. What kind of powerhouse could make her lower herself like this?"
Suddenly, everyone was burning with curiosity about Alexander's identity.
Liam wasn't comfortable with this kind of attention. Seeing everyone crowding around, he instinctively pressed closer into Alexander's embrace.
Amelia cooed, "What a precious child!"
Alexander smiled, standing up with Liam in his arms. "Amelia, my son wants to go home. We'll be leaving now."
Grace also stood, lifting Max into her arms.
She understood that Liam didn't like these scenes, and Alexander wanted to take him home.
Amelia personally escorted them to the door. Only after Alexander and Grace had disappeared with the two children did someone in the crowd dare to speak up nervously, "Amelia, who was that man?"
Amelia rolled her eyes with haughty contempt. "As if you people are worthy of knowing his identity!"
...
The carefully planned birthday celebration ended in complete disaster.
The guests had no interest in staying to celebrate David's birthday and scattered like leaves in the wind.
Mia sat at the table still clutching her precious Himalayan bag, sulking. Evelyn hovered protectively beside her, while across from them sat a distracted Jayden and his clearly displeased parents, Susan and Mike.
David said, "I never expected things to turn out this way! Today was supposed to be such a special day, with both families coming together. I never imagined something like this would happen!"
Susan's tone turned icy. "Mr. Foster, are you implying that we caused you trouble?"
Her dissatisfaction with Mia was now obvious.
Jayden pleaded, "Mom, please don't."
Susan demanded, "Did Mia pressure you into buying her this bag?"
Jayden couldn't manage a single word in response.
David, protective of his daughter, said, "It's just a handbag!"
Susan shot back, "Easy for you to say—5.6 million dollars! If you love your daughter so much, why don't you buy it for her yourself!"
Mike tried to intervene. "That's enough, Susan. Say no more."
Susan continued, "Well, this has certainly been educational! What kind of handbag costs 5.6 million dollars? Mia is the girl Jayden chose, and we've been supportive. From planning the wedding to buying the house and car, everything has been done according to the Foster family's demands! Has the Foster family contributed a single cent? We bought the kids a 2,800-square-foot condo at Radiant Pinnacle for their wedding home, and now there's another 5.6 million for a handbag? Do you think the Brown family is a money-printing factory?"
Mia protested indignantly, "Grace's husband bought her a 4,000-square-foot mansion! What's so special about 2,800 square feet?"
Susan snapped, "Who's Grace? If her husband is so capable, why don't you go marry him instead? What are you doing with Jayden?"
Mia was left speechless.
Evelyn interjected, "Susan, that's rather harsh!"
Susan slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "Harsh? Your daughter has been pampered and spoiled her whole life—how does she have the nerve to provoke just anyone? She dared to cross Amelia! Does the Foster family have any sense at all? Do you people even know who Amelia is?"