Chapter 17 – Being Spiteful
Liam noticed Emily’s face contorted with anger, but he remained calm. His steady gaze didn’t waver as he spoke.
“You keep denying my identity,” he said, “but have you ever really looked at me? Have you ever compared my features with Daddy’s? It’s not right for an elder to treat me this way.”
Emily was momentarily stunned.
She hadn’t expected to be lectured by a four-year-old. But Liam’s words struck a nerve. She had never truly examined him before. Now that she did, she couldn’t deny it—Liam did resemble a young Nathan.
But instead of accepting it, her fury only deepened.
This child is Olivia’s son.
I will never accept him!
Emily’s face turned pale. She immediately snapped, “You’re not similar. Not at all!” Then, she declared firmly, “I don’t care what tricks you and your mother are playing. No matter what, I will never acknowledge you!”
Liam sighed inwardly.
It was clear she had already made up her mind. No amount of reasoning would change it.
“I have no hidden agenda,” he explained patiently. “I just want to be with Daddy. It doesn’t matter if you acknowledge me—as long as Daddy does.”
Then, without another word, Liam crouched down and began playing with LEGO, ignoring her completely.
—
Emily’s fury erupted.
She stormed over, snatched the LEGO from Liam’s hands, and sneered coldly, “Get out. You’re not allowed to play with these toys! The Carter family’s children aren’t idle and playful like this. If you’re really Nathan’s son, you shouldn’t waste time on such childish things.”
Liam’s expression remained calm. “Then what should I do?”
Emily paused for a moment.
Then, she suddenly pointed toward the courtyard and said maliciously, “Go outside and stand in the sun for an hour. Nathan exercised and trained in self-defense when he was young—he didn’t have time for nonsense like playing with toys!”
Liam frowned.
“I’ve also learned self-defense, and I’m perfectly healthy,” he said. “But the sun is blazing hot right now. I might suffer heatstroke. You’re being unreasonable.”
“How dare you talk back to me?!” Emily’s voice sharpened. Her eyes glinted with malice as she took a step closer.
Liam instinctively stepped back.
This woman… She’s like an evil witch!
But he quickly composed himself. “If you try to hurt me, Daddy will be very angry with you.”
Emily’s brows shot up.
Angry?
Would Nathan—her own son—actually be mad at her because of some illegitimate child?
“Ridiculous!” she scoffed. “Let’s see if he really cares enough to stop me!”
Then, she turned and called out sharply, “Guards! Come here!”
—
Two black-clad bodyguards swiftly entered the room.
Emily ordered coldly, “Take this illegitimate child outside. Make him stand in the sun for at least an hour. If he refuses, restrain him!”
The bodyguards hesitated.
But ultimately, they obeyed.
Liam was no match for their strength. He was forcibly dragged outside and placed under the scorching summer sun.
—
It was late July, nearly August—the hottest time of the year.
Within minutes, Liam was drenched in sweat. His small face flushed bright red, and his legs wobbled slightly.
Half an hour passed.
The boy felt dizzy. His vision blurred. His head pounded.
Still, he gritted his teeth and refused to collapse.
—
Just then, Ethan returned.
On the way to the office, he had called Nathan—only to find out that Nathan hadn’t asked for any documents.
Emily had lied to get rid of him.
Realizing something was wrong, Ethan rushed back to the Carter estate. But when he arrived—
His eyes widened in horror.
Liam was still standing outside, his tiny body trembling from the heat.
The child’s forehead was slick with sweat. His clothes were soaked through. His breath came in short, shallow gasps.
“What are you doing?!” Ethan shouted furiously.
He stormed over and glared at the bodyguards. “Are you out of your minds?! Do you even know who this is?!”
One of the guards answered stiffly, “Mr. Thompson, we’re just following Mrs. Carter’s orders.”
Ethan’s gaze darted toward the main hall.
Inside, Emily sat on the sofa, watching with an ice-cold expression.
His heart sank.
How could she be so heartless? This is her grandson!
Ethan clenched his fists. He knew there was no reasoning with Emily. There was only one solution.
He pulled out his phone—
And called Nathan.
—
Thirty minutes later.
Nathan rushed back to the Carter estate.
By then, Liam had been in the sun for over an hour. His small frame swayed unsteadily, and his vision had nearly gone black.
The moment Nathan arrived, his eyes burned with rage.
With a single, vicious kick—
BAM!
Nathan knocked one of the bodyguards to the ground!
The man gasped in pain, nearly passing out from the force.
“How dare you?!” Nathan’s voice was thunderous.
But then—
His fury turned into concern.
Because Liam—
Liam was tottering.
Nathan’s heart clenched. He quickly strode forward and scooped the boy into his arms. “Liam,” he called worriedly, “are you okay?”
Liam’s small hands clutched weakly at Nathan’s shirt.
His lips trembled. His eyes were hazy.
“…Daddy… you’re back…”
Then—
His little body went limp.
Liam collapsed in Nathan’s arms.
