Chapter 79 I'll Treat Liam Like My Own
Alexander's expression darkened.
Emily had mentioned Brice.
She knew that Brice was the person Alexander felt most guilty about in this world.
Emily said, "Alexander, I can quit my job for Liam. I can take care of him twenty-four seven. I've been studying child psychology specifically for Liam's sake. I'm confident I can take excellent care of him."
Alexander frowned slightly. "Are you jealous?"
Emily looked incredulous. "You're just now figuring out that I'm jealous? I've been jealous for ages. Alexander, I feel like you've changed. You don't care about me anymore, and you're starting to care about her. Do you remember when I sprained my ankle? You never carried me the way you just carried her! You held another woman so tenderly—how do you expect me to feel?"
She gripped his sleeve tightly, staring intently at his face with desperate eyes. "Unless you tell me you have feelings for her and you're getting back together, then fine. Don't worry—I won't cling to you. I'll quietly step aside and disappear from your life completely."
As Emily spoke, tears streamed down her face without pause, making her appear vulnerable and in need of protection.
Alexander seemed at a loss.
Emily rarely cried in front of him. He'd always been cold and hard-hearted, but aside from Liam, Emily was the person he cared about most.
Seeing her tears, Alexander reluctantly reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Don't cry."
Emily clung to him tightly, sobbing. "Make her leave. I don't want to see you with her. I won't have her living with you!"
Inside the car, Grace furrowed her brow.
Especially seeing Emily crying pitifully while Alexander's face showed such concern, she knew that Alexander carrying her to the car had cut Emily deeply.
Grace understood what place Emily held in Alexander's heart.
Ten years ago, in that car accident, he'd nearly risked his life to protect her. In such a severe, devastating crash, he'd been bedridden for two years, unconscious, while she emerged without a scratch.
Grace suddenly looked up and said to the driver, "Open the door. I need to get out."
The driver was stunned. "Ms. Foster, what are you doing?"
"Open the door." Grace's dislocated hand had just been reset and still couldn't exert much force.
The driver opened the car door, and Grace stepped out.
Alexander looked at her. "What are you doing?"
"I'll call my own ride home." Grace said to Alexander, "You should stay and comfort Miss Blake."
She turned to leave.
Emily suddenly called out, "Ms. Foster!"
Grace turned back and glanced at her.
Emily approached and said, "Ms. Foster, what I'm about to say might be presumptuous, but I know you and Alexander are currently living together. Since you're already divorced, I think this living arrangement is inappropriate. Could I ask you to move out?"
Grace raised an eyebrow and shot back, "First, if you know it's presumptuous, then don't say it. Second, may I ask—in what capacity are you requesting that I move out?"
Emily was caught off guard by the question, her hands clenching into fists.
"Fiancée?" Grace glanced at Alexander. "As far as I know, you two aren't engaged. So in what capacity are you asking me to move out? Oh, did Alexander not tell you? That house is registered in my name. He gave it to me. It's my home—mine and Max's home."
Grace tightened her fists as she spoke. "In what capacity are you asking me to move out of my own home?" She could choose to move out herself, but she wouldn't be driven out!
Emily looked shocked.
She turned to Alexander with a furrowed brow.
As far as she knew, the Radiant Pinnacle house was worth twenty million dollars.
Such an expensive property, and he'd registered it directly in Grace's name.
Why? Didn't he despise this woman?
When he'd awakened and learned about the marriage Mary had arranged for him, he'd divorced her immediately.
Why would he give her such an expensive house?
Grace curved her lips slightly. "It was Mr. Hayes who asked me to take care of Liam and move into my home with him to make caring for Liam more convenient. Now, Miss Blake, you want to drive me out—I'm afraid you don't understand the situation."
Emily said, "I didn't mean to drive you away."
"Asking me to move out—if that's not driving me away, what is it? Isn't that exactly what eviction means?" Grace said. "Miss Blake, I'm not the one desperately clinging to Mr. Hayes. I don't care what your position is, but with your current status, you hardly have the authority to boss me around, do you?"
With that, Grace turned and walked away with confident strides.
Emily stood frozen, her eyes reddening with hurt.
Her first confrontation with Grace, and she'd been completely defeated!
She turned to Alexander and suddenly said, "Alexander, why don't I take Liam to my place and let me care for him? You're so busy with company matters, you really can't be in two places at once. I can push back some of my work and focus my life on Liam."
Alexander said, "Liam wouldn't want that."
Emily said, "How do you know without trying? Why don't you bring Liam over tomorrow and let me take care of him for a day? What if Liam and I get along really well?" She grasped his hand, repeatedly assuring him, "Don't worry, I'll be wonderful to Liam, very patient!"
Alexander didn't refuse again.
Emily's eyes held such determination, and she did need more time to bond with Liam.
"Alright," Alexander said. "I understand."
...
Grace took a taxi home and pushed open the door. Alexander wasn't back yet.
He was probably still comforting Emily.
After all, she'd been so upset—naturally he'd need to spend time properly consoling her.
Alexander cared so much about her—why didn't he give her a proper, official status?
Was it really just because Liam didn't like Emily?
Grace had always found it strange why Liam was so distant and aloof with everyone else but so affectionate with her.
This was something she'd never been able to figure out.
"Mommy!"
Max poked his little head out from the kitchen. "Mommy's home!"
Liam also peeked out from behind him. Grace's sharp eyes immediately noticed traces around Liam's mouth where drool had been wiped away.
Grace caught a delicious aroma. "Baked chicken wings?"
Max nodded. "Liam wanted to try my cooking today. Mommy loves baked chicken wings, right? For Mommy's sake, let him have a taste!"
Grace walked into the kitchen and saw the chicken wings in the oven were almost done.
Liam stood nearby with eager eyes, staring fixedly at the pan, impossible to budge.
Max said, "Didn't I tell you not to stay in the kitchen?"
Liam looked at Max, then at the fragrant chicken wings in the oven. His mouth opened slightly, and crystal-clear drool was about to spill over again.
Max's eye twitched. "Are you really that hungry?"