Chapter 46 The Listening Device
Grace said, "Do you really think I'm that malicious? I've never betrayed you! I've been good to Liam, and it was never for personal gain! I just feel that he and Max are the same—Max grew up without a father, and Liam grew up without a mother. I thought I could share my love with Liam, and you could share your love with Max..."
Alexander cut her off, "What makes you think I would genuinely share my love with a child you had with another man?"
Grace said, "Think whatever you want!"
With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Alexander was momentarily stunned.
She was the one getting angry, acting as if she had every right to be indignant.
Alexander was furious, yet he suddenly realized how ridiculous he must have looked arguing with her.
He never argued with anyone, and no one dared to argue with him.
She was the only one who dared to talk back to him.
Why should he even bother with her?
She was nothing more than a gold-digger!
If it weren't for Liam's genuine fondness for her, they would have no connection at all.
Alexander got up irritably, pushed open the door, and walked out. He went to Liam's room and gently pushed the door open.
Liam and Max shared a room with bunk beds—the top was for sleeping, the bottom had a desk and bookshelf setup.
Both boys were already asleep, breathing steadily.
Alexander immediately recognized Liam, who was sprawled out on his back. Perhaps he had eaten too much at dinner; his little belly was round and high, the food still digesting, making his breathing heavy with soft "huff-puff" sounds that were actually quite adorable.
Max was sleeping on his side, arms wrapped around a stuffed animal. In the moonlight, his long eyelashes cast soft shadows on his eyelids.
Alexander's heart was instantly filled with peace, all his anger dissipating like smoke.
...
The next day.
Grace got up early to check homework and pack school bags with Max and Liam.
The housekeeper said Alexander had left for the office early for an emergency morning meeting.
"Mr. Hayes said he'll be back late today and asked that you not wait for him for dinner."
"I understand."
Grace took Liam and Max to Windsor Academy.
On the way, Max was in a great mood. Perhaps it was the prospect of a new school, a new environment, and being able to study with Liam. It was clear that his relationship with Liam was gradually improving.
He really liked Liam, and Liam liked him too.
Grace felt very comforted by this.
At school, since Max was a new student, Grace walked him to the classroom door.
Max was assigned to the same class as Liam—first grade Lion Class.
Windsor Academy had a very ceremonial school culture.
As a new student, the teacher held a special welcome ceremony for Max.
The classroom was decorated with beautiful anthuriums, which were the Lion Class representative plant. Their flower meaning was great achievements, passion, and vitality.
Max walked into the classroom with his backpack, and Miss Lily Martin took his little hand, smiling at the class. "Everyone, let's welcome our new classmate, Max!"
The children cheered enthusiastically.
Max wrote his name on the blackboard with chalk, Max Foster.
Miss Martin said in surprise, "Max, your handwriting is beautiful!"
"Is it okay if we call you Max?"
Max said, "Everyone can just call me Max."
Grace looked at the well-appointed classroom with high-definition screens on either side of the blackboard, each room equipped with air conditioning and computers, and the orderly classroom management. She suddenly realized that Windsor's educational facilities were truly excellent.
No wonder the tuition was tens of thousands of dollars a year.
You get what you pay for.
She hoped Max would get along well with his classmates.
Seeing that Max quickly integrated into the group, Grace smiled and nodded to the teacher before turning to leave.
She had just gotten into her car outside the school gates when she received a phone call.
It was from Horizon Group.
She had recently interviewed at a new company and submitted her resume. She hadn't expected to hear from the interviewer so quickly.
"Ms. Foster, do you have time for an interview this morning?"
Grace said, "Yes, what time?"
"Ten o'clock this morning."
Grace checked the time—it was eight-thirty now, giving her time to go home and dress appropriately.
"Alright, I'll be there on time."
Grace replied to the interviewer, hung up, and told the driver, "I need to go home to change clothes, then could you take me to Horizon Group for an interview?"
"Of course."
Grace arrived home, opened the door, and hurried toward her room. Passing through the living room, she saw a figure sitting on the sofa and jumped in fright.
"Ah!"
Alexander turned around, and seeing her startled expression, asked, "What are you screaming about?"
Grace said in bewilderment, "What are you doing home?"
Alexander said, "Why can't I be home?"
Grace said, "The housekeeper said you left early this morning and would be back late."
"So?"
Grace said, "I was startled to suddenly see you sitting in the living room."
This morning's meeting had ended with Alexander and several board members disagreeing and parting on bad terms, so he had come home early from the office.
Seeing that she seemed to be heading out in a hurry, Alexander asked, "Where are you going?"
Grace said, "To a job interview."
"Interview?" Alexander was skeptical. "You found a job?"
Grace nodded.
Alexander said, "Why are you looking for work?"
Grace had just made a substantial amount of money—why was she rushing to find a job?
Grace laughed at his question. "Can't I have my own career? If I don't work, how will I support Max?"
She couldn't exactly retire comfortably just because she'd made a few million dollars.
Alexander said, "The house I bought you is worth $20 million." He had thought this house would allow her to live comfortably while caring for Liam.
Grace said, "This house is yours. You just haven't had time to handle the deed transfer paperwork. I understand that clearly."
What if Alexander asked for it back later?
She didn't consider the house a gift from him.
Alexander was speechless for a moment.
Did she really think he had put the house in her name just because he hadn't had time to handle the deed paperwork?
Besides, so what?
The house was now in her name, yet she was still so guarded against him?
He suspected that going to an interview was just an excuse—what she was really going to do was anyone's guess.
Alexander held a listening device in his hand.
He had been hesitating for a long time.
But Mary's words made him feel he had to be somewhat cautious about Grace, 'Liam is the Hayes family's only heir! You're entrusting Liam to Grace too easily—I'm not comfortable with that! Don't forget, Grace betrayed you once. How she treats Liam in private—what would you really know about that? When you're not around Liam, what if she actually mistreats him?'