Chapter 62 Too Stunning to Look Away
Amelia's heart was bleeding, but she knew her priorities. If she offended Alexander, the Thomas family would be finished.
Crossing this man would mean Joshua would be forced off Windsor Academy's board of directors—a price she simply couldn't afford to pay!
She had never once raised a hand to Mason, but today she was forcing him to apologize, banking on the assumption that Alexander wouldn't stoop to argue with a seven-year-old child.
It was blatant emotional manipulation.
Alexander felt his head pounding from Mason's wailing. He said impatiently, "This matter is temporarily closed. My son has lost some of his memory because of this incident. Once his memory returns, I'll get to the bottom of what really happened."
Amelia insisted, "My son would never lie to me! He might be a bit domineering sometimes, but he would absolutely never lie to me. This was just children fighting that got out of hand."
Alexander said coldly, "Leave. Now."
Amelia asked cautiously, "So... has Mr. Hayes forgiven Mason?"
Mason continued crying loudly.
Alexander felt his blood pressure rising. Worried that Liam might be upset by the noise, he said icily, "Get out!"
"Of course, of course."
"And take this junk with you." Alexander gestured toward the apology gifts Amelia had brought.
Amelia protested, "These are just a small token of our sincere apology."
"Take them. I don't want them." Alexander said sarcastically, "Do you think I'm lacking in material possessions?"
Amelia didn't dare say another word. She gathered the gifts, took Mason's hand, and left with Joshua without looking back.
The family of three hadn't been gone long when Grace returned home.
She was clearly exhausted. After changing her shoes, she saw Alexander sitting on the sofa holding Liam.
Grace said, "I thought I saw Amelia just now." She thought she must have been mistaken.
Max emerged from the study and said to Alexander, "They're lying. It didn't happen the way Mason said. Mason deliberately pushed Liam into the water."
He had heard Amelia's explanation from the study and didn't believe a word of it.
Alexander replied, "We'll discuss it when Liam's memory returns."
As soon as Liam saw Grace come home, he happily stretched out his arms for a hug.
Grace walked over, about to take Liam from Alexander's arms, but perhaps because she hadn't slept well the night before and hadn't eaten all day, her blood sugar was low. She felt dizzy and weak, swaying as she nearly collapsed into Alexander's embrace.
She had only halfway lifted Liam from his arms.
Alexander caught her steadily.
Her body was soft and delicate. Through her thin clothing, her warmth transmitted through his fingertips—the tender sensation made his heart skip a beat.
"Are you..." Alexander asked somewhat awkwardly, "What's wrong?"
"Mommy!" Max hurried over nervously, seeing her face was deathly pale. "Are you okay?"
Grace said weakly, "I probably didn't sleep well last night, and I barely ate anything today." The work transition had been so complex that she'd been busy all day.
The housekeeper said, "Give Ms. Foster some candy! She's having a low blood sugar episode."
Liam gently wriggled free from Grace and ran into his room.
Grace leaned weakly against Alexander's shoulder.
At this point, she couldn't worry about boundaries—she simply didn't have the strength to sit up.
Her face was pressed close to his neck.
Alexander could even feel her soft breath brushing against his throat in gentle waves, warm and tickling.
He found himself reluctant to let her go.
Soon, Liam ran back out of his room, approaching Grace with two soft candies wrapped in his hands.
Alexander unwrapped the candy and brought the white sweet to her lips. "Eat some candy."
Supplementing sugar was the best way to restore energy during low blood sugar episodes.
Grace opened her mouth and took a candy, closing her eyes to rest. Only after both candies had dissolved in her mouth did the dizziness in her head gradually fade.
She slowly sat up, supporting herself and somewhat awkwardly avoiding Alexander's touch.
Alexander frowned slightly and asked the housekeeper, "Is dinner ready?"
"Yes, yes, I'll bring it out right away. Dinner is served."
The housekeeper immediately busied herself in the kitchen.
After dinner.
Liam suddenly ran into Alexander's room and came out carrying a gift box.
He held the box high, showing it to Grace.
Grace was surprised to see it was Givenchy packaging. "What's this?"
Alexander said, "A gown."
"A gown?"
"Friday is Windsor Academy's family carnival, with a gala dinner in the evening." Alexander added, "Liam picked it out. He wants to see you wear it."
Hearing this, Liam's ears perked up, and he gave Alexander a rather meaningful look.
Grace asked, "Is this gown in my size?"
Alexander replied, "I provided the measurements. It should fit."
Grace blushed. "How would you know my measurements?" Had this man been going through her closet?
Max also looked at Alexander with suspicion.
Alexander didn't answer directly, only saying, "Try it on."
What Grace didn't know was that Alexander had held her, embraced her—every measurement of her body was intimately familiar to his touch.
Grace stood up blushing, taking the gown to her room.
She lifted the dress from the gift box and unfolded it. The brand-new gown was clearly hand-tailored and looked expensive.
Liam picked this out?
Grace was somewhat surprised.
She put on the dress and looked at herself in the mirror. The snow-white strapless evening gown featured a bodycon mermaid silhouette with a fitted waist design. From the waist to the hemline, it was adorned with organza details that showcased elegance and sophistication to perfection.
However, as Grace turned around, she discovered that not only was the neckline cut quite low, but it also featured a deep V-back design.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Had Liam really chosen this gown?
It was incredibly figure-hugging.
Grace opened the door but felt self-conscious, one hand covering her back and the other protecting her chest.
She walked to the living room and asked Liam, "Liam, did you really pick out this gown?"
Liam froze. Max was clearly stunned, too.
Both little boys stared at Grace in shock, as if they'd been struck speechless.
Especially Liam—when he came to his senses, he blushed and gently tugged at Alexander's sleeve. Looking up, he saw that the man's gaze was also fixed directly on her, his Adam's apple bobbing. Though he hadn't been drinking, Alexander felt his body heating up.
He prided himself on his self-control, but when Grace stood before him in that sensual gown, he nearly lost his composure, his breathing becoming irregular.
"Mommy..." Max recovered first, saying with a red face, "Could you maybe not wear this gown?"
Grace asked, "Doesn't it look good?"
Max shook his head. "It looks good."
It looked too good—breathtakingly beautiful, impossible to look away from.
If Mommy wore this gown to the gala, would anyone even remember they were supposed to be dancing?
Grace said, "Liam picked it out, so I should ask if Liam likes it." She looked at Liam seriously and asked, "Liam, do you like me wearing this?"