Chapter 99

Even standing there meant Grace was at fault. Yancey happened to arrive at that moment. When he saw the scene and all the living antagonism, he quickly rushed over and pulled Alice into his arms. “Grace, what did you do this time?”

He had been doubting whether Guare still had feelings for him, but Grace had just come looking for Alire, and it seemed like Grace wanted to harm the child. It was obvious that Grace was blinded by jealousy. Yancey didn’t want to admit it, but he was quite pleased at that moment. “No matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t lay a hand on mine and Alice’s child.”

Grace stood there and looked at their faces. She felt like communicating with them was impossible; she didn’t even need to be unwed; she was already condemned as the villain. She turned around to leave, but Carmen shouted out, “Where are the bodyguards? Grab her! Liam is right. She must be mentally ill. Lock her up!”

Liam was stunned and quickly protested. “Mom, I was just joking.” But as he spoke, his voice gradually weakened until he finally hung his head.

Grace was dragged away by a few bodyguards and thrown into the punishment room—a space Alice had specifically set up after moving in. She said it was to punish disobedient children. There were no decorations; there was just a single wooden stool that was too short to reach the window and a door.

Grace sat on the stool calmly. Far off, some footsteps sounded outside. When night fell, she heard some more. She tentatively called out, “Liam?”

Liam felt uneasy. After all, Grace was locked up because of what he said. The rest of the family had gone out for a dinner party, and he had faked feeling unwell to stay behind. He didn’t even realize it as he walked over.

But thinking about how Grace had slapped him multiple times and even helped an outsider, he felt a little bitter. He deliberately remained silent when Grace called out to him.

Grace leaned against the door. She had figured out that Liam wasn’t as heartless as the rest of the family. He was just spoiled and couldn’t tell right from wrong. “You’re not talking, but I know it’s you. Out of everyone in this family, you’ve always treated me the best,” Grace said.

The moment she said that, Liam’s lips twitched as he tried to hold back a smile. He didn’t want to seem too easy to please. He crossed his arms and snorted. “Grace, if you know I treat you the best, then why do you keep hitting me? That time outside, you even embarrassed me in public.”

That day, she had slapped him in front of his gang. They had been looking at him weirdly since then. What mattered most for a man was obviously his dignity.

“I hit you because I don’t want you to turn out like them. It’s all out of concern for you,” Grace explained.

Liam frowned and hesitated for a few seconds before he asked, “Really?”

Grace rubbed her temples. Why did everyone else—Lambert, Fanny—have such devious minds, while Liam’s was as blank as a piece of paper? He was even dumber than Yancey. “Or—just trying to trick me into letting you go?” Liam accused.

“For you. What has Alice ever done for you? Don’t just listen to what people say—watch what they do. Anyone can talk sweetly, but—”

Idem was completely stunned by her words. “That key isn’t with me. It’s with Mom!”

Grace mapped out her reasoning. “They cooked many meals for you, but what have you ever done for me?”