Chapter 67 He'll Take Care of Mommy Forever
Grace could tell that Emily was mocking her, but she wasn't angry.
She gently stroked Max's head and smiled, "That's exactly why Max is so exceptional!"
She wasn't trying to boast about herself, but Max was Alexander's son—and with Alexander being so outstanding, how could his son be anything less?
Emily's expression grew even more stiff.
She bit her lip as she looked at Max, her hatred for the mother and son intensifying.
Mary had always favored boys over girls. Even though Liam seemed slow, almost mentally challenged, Mary still doted on him completely, treasuring him above all else.
If Mary ever discovered she had such an excellent, adorable great-grandson in Max, Emily couldn't imagine how much the old woman would adore him!
Emily said, "Liam is wonderful too. I've watched him grow up since he was little—he's so well-behaved and understanding. Alexander says Liam doesn't speak now simply because he grew up without a mother and lacks security. Once Alexander and I get married, I'll work hard to be a good mother and give Liam the warmth of maternal love. That will help Liam become even more exceptional." While praising Liam, she eagerly asserted her claim to her position.
Grace's eyes flickered with surprise as she looked toward Alexander.
Alexander kept his gaze down, carefully wiping his silverware with a napkin, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.
He and Emily were getting married?
How had he never mentioned this to her?
Emily asked, "Alexander hasn't told you about this?"
Grace shook her head, "No."
Emily nodded, "That makes sense. You don't have any particularly special relationship with Alexander, so there wouldn't be any need to mention such things to you."
She suddenly looked up, her voice gentle and sweet, "Ms. Foster, you're such a good person. Raising Max all by yourself must be very difficult. Haven't you ever considered remarrying?"
At these words, Alexander looked at Grace with a complicated expression.
Grace replied, "I haven't considered it at the moment."
Emily asked, "Why not? With your qualities, finding a decent man shouldn't be difficult, should it?"
Grace said, "Having Max makes me very happy."
Emily responded, "That's how you feel now, but what about later? Children grow up and leave you." She thought for a moment, then asked, "Would you like me to set you up with someone? Our research institute has many eligible bachelors—all very accomplished men!"
Grace replied, "Miss Blake, that's very thoughtful of you, but I've been married once before. Without love as a foundation, marriage isn't very reliable."
Emily said, "But feelings can be cultivated! Over time, emotions can develop. Surely at your age, Ms. Foster, you don't still believe in fairy-tale romance like love at first sight?"
Max had heard enough.
He could tell that Emily was targeting Grace at every turn.
He propped his chin elegantly on his hand and asked seriously, "Why aren't you married yet?"
Emily was momentarily stunned, her hands clenching under the table.
Max continued, "You must be older than my mommy, right? You're not trying to become Liam's stepmother, are you?"
Emily stammered, "You..."
Max looked at Liam and asked, "Liam, do you like her?"
Liam shook his head.
Max asked again, "So you don't want her to be your stepmother?"
Liam shook his head again.
Max said, "Oh, that's too bad. Liam doesn't like you, so you can't be his stepmother."
Emily gritted her teeth, "Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about what your mommy will do when no one wants her."
Her words were half-joking, half-serious, but cutting nonetheless.
Max just smiled, his eyes actually showing a hint of protectiveness, "There are so many men who want to be my stepdad, but mommy doesn't think any of them are good enough. Besides, even if mommy really had no one, I'd take care of her for the rest of her life."
Liam raised his hand, "Me too."
Grace felt warmth spread through her heart.
Emily's expression grew even uglier.
She suddenly glanced at the juice glass in the center of the table, then at Grace's pristine white dress.
She raised her hand, planning to "accidentally" knock over the juice, but a small hand moved faster than hers, reaching toward the glass.
"Oh no!"
Emily jumped up in panic.
Max's little hand had "accidentally" knocked the juice all over her.
"My Chanel dress!" Emily frantically grabbed napkins from the table, her face ashen as she tried to wipe the juice from her clothes.
People around them started looking over.
Emily's face flushed with embarrassment as she glared furiously at Max.
Max widened his eyes innocently and hid in Grace's arms, "I didn't mean to." He mumbled apologetically, his watery eyes filled with apparent guilt.
Emily seethed inwardly.
Not on purpose?
She could tell the little brat had done it deliberately!
Max had easily seen through Emily's scheme—she had wanted to spill juice on mommy's dress so she couldn't attend the evening ball.
How could he let such a malicious woman succeed?
Alexander stood up, righted the overturned juice glass, and looked at Emily's stained dress.
Emily said pitifully, "Alexander, I bought this dress especially to accompany Liam to the fair today. Now that it's ruined, what am I going to do?"
Alexander said, "I'll have someone drive you home."
Go home? But what about the evening ball?
Emily felt reluctant, but she hadn't brought a change of clothes. "I rarely get to spend a whole day with Liam. I don't want to miss it—I want Liam to like me more." She looked at Max and said through gritted teeth, "He didn't do that on purpose, did he?"
"What's done is done," Alexander said. "I'll buy you a replacement."
Emily said, "But I want to attend the evening ball."
Alexander didn't understand why she was so fixated on the ball, but since she wanted to attend, he naturally wouldn't force her to go home.
"I'll have someone buy you a new outfit. You can change and come back."
His gentle tone helped ease some of Emily's anger.
She said, "Alright."
Emily hurried away.
Once she left, the tension finally eased from Liam's face.
Clearly, he didn't like Emily—so much so that he felt constrained whenever she was around.
Grace lowered her voice and asked Max, "Did you do that on purpose?"
Max nodded.
Grace gently pinched his cheek, "I knew it."
Max whispered in her ear, "Mommy, can't you tell she really dislikes you?"
Grace replied, "I know."
Emily loved Alexander so much, and she was Alexander's ex-wife.
When Emily encountered her, it was naturally a case of enemies meeting with particular animosity.