Chapter 83 Never Give Her an Opening
Emily was momentarily speechless, stunned for a moment before responding with sarcasm, "I just never asked for it. If I wanted it, Alexander would buy it for me."
Grace replied, "Then ask him to buy you one. He has plenty of money—it's just a house. Why are you wandering around mine? You're a guest here, and without the host's permission, you shouldn't be exploring."
Emily shot back, "Who do you think you are? Do you think I care about this house? Are you afraid I'm going to steal it from you?" She had only wanted to see whether the two of them were sleeping in the same bedroom.
Grace said, "Emily, I let you in out of respect for you. Otherwise, I would have left you standing outside."
Emily retorted, "What gives you the right to speak to me like that?"
Grace replied, "This is my home. Do you think I have that right or not?"
Emily glared at her hatefully, "Don't think I want to be in your pathetic little place!"
Grace suddenly smiled, "Pathetic little place? Emily, if you're so high and mighty, then don't come into my pathetic little place." This house cost twenty million dollars, and Emily called it pathetic?
Emily said, "I really don't understand you. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! You and Alexander are already divorced! Who lives together after getting divorced? Get it straight—you were already kicked out by the Hayes family! Someone with your shady status should have hidden away in the countryside by now."
The housekeeper retreated to the side.
She had never witnessed such a confrontation and didn't dare make a sound.
Grace shot back, "If I'm so shady, then what does that make you?"
Emily declared, "Alexander and I grew up together as childhood sweethearts. I'm the most important person in his life! In his heart, I'm the one he loves most."
Grace laughed, "If he loves you so much, why hasn't he married you? Why isn't he with you?"
Emily was suddenly at a loss for words, somewhat embarrassed and angry.
Grace continued, "Emily, you're older than me, right? If he really liked you, he would have married you long ago. Why would he wait until now without making any commitment? You've wasted so much of your youth on him, and he can't give you any official status. Do you still think you're the one he loves most?"
She wasn't intentionally targeting Emily.
Last night, Emily had demanded in front of her that Alexander kick her out. She just wanted to express her dissatisfaction.
Why be merciful to someone she disliked?
Emily gritted her teeth, "You really have a sharp tongue! Grace, I won't stoop to your level. I'm here to pick up Liam today! The relationship between Alexander and me is none of your business."
She walked over to Liam's side, her voice becoming gentle, "Liam, I have the day off and came to pick you up to play. Come with me now, okay? I'll take you for some delicious food."
As she spoke, she reached to take Liam's hand.
But Liam hid his little hands under the table, not letting her touch him.
Emily's expression stiffened, "Liam? Don't you want delicious food?"
Liam shook his head.
He wanted to stay with Grace and Max.
Max said coolly, "Liam doesn't want to go with you. You should leave."
Emily snapped angrily, "Shut up!"
Seeing Emily scold Max, Liam also glared at her angrily.
Emily immediately restrained her attitude and coaxed, "Liam, come with me, okay?"
Seeing that gentle persuasion wasn't working, she decided to use force. She forcibly grabbed Liam's hand and tried to drag him away.
Liam struggled and resisted, his little face turning red as his legs kicked wildly.
Seeing that Liam was unwilling to go with Emily, Grace immediately walked over and blocked her, "Can't you see he doesn't want to go with you?"
Emily shoved her aside, "Mind your own business! Get out of the way!"
Grace was pushed against the table and nearly knocked the dishes to the floor.
She was getting angry now, "Emily, Liam doesn't want to go with you!"
Emily's face darkened, "Don't think I don't know what game you're playing! You know how important Liam is to Alexander. You want to win over Liam to get close to Alexander, don't you? You want to remarry him, so you're trying to use Liam, right?"
Grace found her completely unreasonable, "What are you talking about?"
Emily demanded, "Isn't that exactly what I'm talking about? Liam isn't even your biological son, yet you treat him so well. You're just using Liam to win over Alexander!" As she spoke, she watched Grace's expression carefully.
Grace said, "Even if Liam isn't my biological son, I still treat him like my own!"
Emily was secretly delighted.
It seemed Grace still didn't know that Liam was her biological son. She had to seize this opportunity and not let Grace gain any advantage.
Emily bent down to pick up Liam and headed toward the door.
Liam suddenly burst into loud tears, "Waaah..." He clenched his fists and pounded on Emily's back and shoulders.
Although Alexander had taught him from a young age to be a little gentleman and to respect girls and ladies, he didn't like Emily and especially didn't like her touching him.
Seeing Emily trying to forcibly carry Liam away, Grace firmly blocked the doorway, "You can't take him!"
"Get out of the way!" Emily's voice was cold and harsh, "He's not your son—you have no right to interfere!"
Grace said, "He's not your son either! He doesn't like you, he doesn't want you. You can't force him to leave with you!"
Emily retorted, "Alexander told me to pick up Liam, to help me bond with him! Grace, I'm not like you, using every trick to deceive a child. Someday, Liam will know that I care for him more than his own mother ever did!"
Liam angrily grabbed Emily's hair.
Emily was startled.
She had dressed up specially to pick up Liam, styling her hair in an elegant updo. She hadn't expected Liam to ruin her carefully arranged hairstyle!
"Liam, be good, listen!" Taking advantage of the fact that Liam couldn't speak, Emily secretly pinched his bottom hard.
This small action went completely unnoticed.
Liam winced from the pain and cried even louder, "Waaah..." It hurt so much!
Seeing Liam crying even harder, Grace's heart ached terribly. She rushed over and snatched Liam from Emily's arms, holding him protectively.
Emily lunged at her with claws out, "Give Liam back to me!"
As Grace dodged, her foot caught on a chair and she was about to fall.
The housekeeper immediately stepped forward to catch her.
Max pushed back his chair, walked up to Emily, and shoved her hard, "Don't you dare bully my mommy!"
Emily became even more furious. She raised her hand and slapped Max on the head, "Get out of the way!"