Chapter 200: Bring Back Liam
The woman felt somewhat embarrassed, but seeing Alexander's icy expression, she could only awkwardly step away from the car.
Alexander got in and called Jeremy.
As soon as the call connected, Alexander asked, "Look into Emily's activities abroad over the past few months."
"Will do." Jeremy reported, "Mr. Hayes, there's an issue at the company that needs your attention."
"Understood."
...
That afternoon.
After settling Max and Liam, Grace headed to the orphanage.
She had received a call saying that Lily was refused to eat and had gone on a hunger strike.
When Grace arrived at the orphanage, she found Lily in the dormitory.
Upon entering, she saw Lily curled up in the corner, motionless. When Lily spotted Grace, her face lit up like embers rekindling to life, showing a long-lost smile.
"Grace..."
Seeing Grace, Lily tried to get out of bed, but having eaten nothing for two days, she was too weak and could barely walk steadily.
Grace hugged her with a heavy heart, noticing how much thinner she'd become. Already petite, Lily had barely eaten since arriving at the orphanage and now looked skeletal.
Concerned, Grace asked, "The staff called me saying you won't eat. Why?"
Lily buried her small face in Grace's embrace, refusing to speak.
Grace gently stroked her head, then noticed injuries on her body.
Her clothes were torn in several places. Lifting the fabric, Grace discovered bruises on Lily's back, legs, and arms—marks that looked like someone had pinched her hard.
Grace was shocked. "Lily, how did you get hurt?"
Lily still wouldn't speak, remaining deeply withdrawn.
Grace stayed with Lily in the dormitory for a while, coaxing her until she finally agreed to eat something—a bowl of rice with some vegetables. The orphanage food was poor quality, nothing like what Liam and Max enjoyed at home.
After eating a little, Lily lay down and dozed off.
Grace watched her listless state with concern. Unlike other children playing outside, Lily seemed unable to integrate and stayed holed up in the dormitory, devoid of the energy typical for her age.
In the office.
Grace found the staff member caring for Lily. "Lily has bruises all over her body. What happened? Is someone bullying her?"
The staff member replied, "We don't know who hurt her. As you can see, we have so many orphans here and very few staff. One teacher handles thirty to forty children, and we can't monitor them 24/7. It's common for children to form little cliques and for older kids to pick on younger ones."
The orphanage's management system was chaotic.
Unlike regular schools with proper age-based classes, here five-year-olds were grouped with ten-year-olds. With children being naturally mischievous and older kids bullying younger ones, such incidents were routine.
The staff member continued, "Recently, we contacted a family willing to adopt Lily, but she refused to go with them. Lily insists that you'll come take her home to live with you. She's waiting for you."
Grace felt a complex mix of emotions. "I don't qualify for adoption. I have a son, and I'm not currently married."
The staff member nodded. "Yes, those are hard requirements we can't waive... I think that family had good conditions—no children and no plans to have any. They're a remarried couple who seemed genuinely committed to caring for a child. It's unfortunate Lily wouldn't go with them."
The phone suddenly rang.
The staff member smiled apologetically. "Let me take this call."
She stood up to answer.
Grace gazed out the window, lost in thought.
"Mr. Cox, why are you calling again?"
"That child has already returned to his biological family. There's no way I can give you the child now that you're asking for him."
"A lawsuit? Mr. Cox, please calm down. I suggest you contact the police..."
The staff member hung up, flustered and red-faced, returning to her desk.
Grace frowned. "What's wrong?"
The staff member said, "Nothing, just some crazy people. Remember when Liam was brought to our orphanage? We helped find his biological father. But recently, some man has been calling, claiming Liam is his son and demanding we return him.
But Liam has already been reunited with his biological family. Now they're threatening to sue the orphanage."
Grace found this absurd. "What's Liam's relationship to them?"
The staff member replied, "I asked the same question, but he keeps being evasive. He just insists Liam is his son. As for how that's possible, I suspect it was through adoption, though he won't admit it. He keeps demanding we return Liam. But as you know, Liam is Mr. Hayes' son—we have paternity test evidence."
Grace asked, "Adoption? Through what channel did he adopt Liam?"
The staff member said, "No idea."
Grace suddenly stood up excitedly. "Can you give me their contact information?"
Alexander had been trying to investigate Liam's background. Since this man insisted Liam was his son, perhaps starting with him could uncover Liam's origins and potentially help find Liam's biological mother.
The staff member said, "That man is completely unreasonable and difficult to talk to. Are you sure you want to contact him?"
Grace nodded. "Yes."
The staff member reluctantly agreed. "Alright, I'll write down his number for you."
"Thank you."
The staff member copied the man's phone number for her.
Grace asked, "Lily hasn't been eating well lately. Perhaps this environment doesn't give her a sense of security. Could I take her home for a while?"
The staff member hesitated. "According to orphanage regulations, except for adopted children, no one can remove children from here without proper procedures."
Grace said, "What if I leave my ID here as collateral? Or I could pay a deposit and provide my home address."
The staff member replied, "Let me check with the director."
"Okay."
Grace waited in the office for news.
Half an hour later.
The staff member returned and asked Grace, "How long would you want to take Lily home?"
Grace said, "About a week. I'm worried Lily might have PTSD and want to find her a therapist."
The staff member nodded. "Then please come with me to the director's office to handle the paperwork."
"Sure."