Chapter 189: Daddy Is Like a Man-Eating Tiger
When you were standing on solid ground, you didn't fear the shadows. Grace had nothing to worry about when it came to clearing her name.
When it came to verbal sparring, she'd never lost a battle.
Grace didn't even consider Mia worth her attention—just another clown jumping around for attention.
Sure enough—
Mia lost her composure completely.
She suddenly lunged at Grace with claws out, shrieking, "You shameless bitch! I'll tear that smart mouth of yours apart!"
Grace had been expecting Mia to resort to violence, so she was ready. She landed a sharp slap across Mia's face.
Mia staggered back two steps. Unable to handle the humiliation, she yanked off her Valentino heel and hurled it at Grace.
Grace dodged, and the shoe nearly shattered the boutique's display window.
Mia was about to attack Grace again like a rabid animal when suddenly, a steel ball bearing struck her precisely in the back of the head.
Mia let out a shriek, clutching the spot where she'd been hit, and spun around.
Max stood there with a slingshot, squinting as he aimed at her, another projectile already loaded and ready.
The next second—
Another steel ball bearing struck her square in the chest.
The impact was so forceful it popped one of her buttons clean off.
Mia yelped in pain and pointed at Max, screaming, "You little brat! I'll skin you alive!"
She glared menacingly and started charging toward Max.
Alexander walked through the entrance just in time to see Mia about to attack his son. He set the ice cream down on a side table and strode forward, grabbing her by the back of her collar.
Mia froze for several seconds, then looked up to meet Alexander's ice-cold black eyes.
His handsome face was a mask of chilling indifference.
"You..."
Mia recognized him immediately.
She had no idea who Alexander really was—she still assumed he was some corporate executive and that Grace was just his kept woman.
His stare made her scalp crawl. The next second, Alexander casually shoved her aside like discarding a dirty rag.
Mia crashed to the floor, her remaining heel flying off her foot.
Grace stepped forward, protectively positioning herself in front of Max and Liam.
She'd watched Mia redirect her fury toward Max, and if Alexander had arrived even a moment later, God knows what this woman might have done to her son.
Mia scrambled on the ground, yelling incredulously, "What kind of man are you? Don't you have any gentlemanly manners? How dare you lay hands on a woman!"
Alexander replied coldly, "When dealing with a rabid dog, do you really stop to check if it's male or female?"
He didn't see a woman—just a deranged female trying to attack his child.
Max covered his mouth, looking somewhat stunned.
His father was truly something else. When it came to cutting remarks, even Max felt outclassed.
So that's where he got his sharp tongue from—it was hereditary.
A sales associate nearby interjected nervously, "Sir, this is Miss Foster..."
Alexander turned with elegant composure, his gaze glacial. "And?"
Liam tattled to Alexander, "She called Grace a mistress and was mean to her!"
Mia struggled to get up from the floor, but Liam suddenly ran over and stepped firmly on her hand. "Apologize to Grace! I won't let you get up until you do!"
Mia's face flushed red. "Get off me!"
Liam knew he was hurting her, and that was exactly his intention.
Daddy had always taught him to be a gentleman, but rude people didn't deserve gentlemanly treatment.
Liam said seriously, "Apologize!"
Mia was furious. "Why should I apologize to her?"
Alexander walked over to Mia and looked down at her from his intimidating height. "First of all, she's not my mistress—she's my fiancée. Second, if you ever try to lay a finger on my son again, I don't mind showing you exactly what I'm capable of."
Mia's eyes went wide with shock. "Fiancée? You're going to marry this woman? She's divorced with a kid! You could have any woman you want—why would you choose someone like her?"
Alexander's voice was flat. "I don't recall asking for your opinion on my life choices."
Mia was stunned into silence.
Alexander asked with deceptive calm, "Do you know who I am?"
The unexpected question left Mia completely bewildered.
She stared at him with wide, confused eyes, unable to find words.
Alexander said simply, "I'm Alexander Hayes. She's my ex-wife. We're getting remarried."
For Mia, those few words hit like a bolt from the blue.
He said what? Alexander Hayes?
Everyone in the boutique froze.
Alexander had always kept a low profile, rarely appearing in public or making headlines.
But his name was legendary.
The sales staff looked absolutely terrified, none of them having imagined that this refined gentleman who'd been patiently waiting for his woman to shop was actually the heir to the city's most powerful family.
Mia couldn't believe it. "You're lying! You wouldn't dare impersonate Alexander Hayes!"
Alexander's lips curved into an amused smile. "Interesting."
Impersonating himself? Someone was actually questioning whether he was who he claimed to be?
Mia climbed unsteadily to her feet, her chest heaving with indignation.
Alexander's voice cut through the air. "I didn't give you permission to leave. You're not going anywhere."
Liam crossed his arms defiantly. "You still haven't apologized to Grace!"
Mia swallowed hard. "You... you're really Alexander Hayes?"
Alexander had no intention of dignifying such a ridiculous question with another response. "Apologize."
Mia took several shaky breaths. She turned toward Grace, and despite her obvious reluctance, Alexander's imposing presence left her no choice but to bow her head. "I'm... sorry..."
Grace said coldly, "I can't hear you."
Mia raised her voice slightly. "I'm sorry!"
Grace replied dismissively, "Now get out of here before you embarrass yourself any further."
Mia gritted her teeth and slunk away barefoot, thoroughly humiliated.
The moment she left, the sales staff swarmed around them, their attitudes completely transformed now that they knew Alexander's identity. They practically tripped over themselves addressing Grace with newfound respect. "Ma'am, have you finished selecting your outfits? We'd be happy to help you try them on!"
Grace declined politely. "No thank you. I prefer to dress myself."
The staff retreated, looking deflated.
Grace took a moment to compose herself, then turned to Max and Liam with a smile. "I found a beautiful matching mother-and-sons outfit. Would you boys like to wear matching clothes with me?"
Both Max and Liam nodded eagerly.
Liam suddenly asked, "What about Daddy? Does he get to match too?"
Grace looked uncertain. "The style I picked only comes in mother-and-sons designs."
A sales associate quickly interjected, "Actually, ma'am, many of our collections can be coordinated for full family looks! We'd be delighted to put together a matching set for all of you."
Grace nodded gratefully. "That would be wonderful, thank you."
She told Alexander, "I'll go try on the other outfits first."
"Go ahead."
As soon as Grace disappeared into the fitting room with her selections, Max and Liam turned to Alexander and made synchronized heart shapes with their hands. "You were so cool just now! You had such incredible presence!"
Max grinned. "I thought that awful woman was going to wet herself from fear!"
Liam added, "When Daddy gets scary, he's like a man-eating tiger!"
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "I'm not entirely sure that was meant as a compliment."