Chapter 14 " Speak ! Is this child really from our Mitchell family or not ? " Grandma Mitchell's voice thundered through the private room . The bodyguard who'd been quietly standing by her side finally lost patience and shoved the door open . Joy , who'd just been acting all high and mighty , nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Liam and Grandma Mitchell at the door . She dropped to the floor in a heap , all her smugness vanishing like it'd never existed . Mr. Price was already pale as a ghost , shaking in his chair . No matter how powerful the Price family was , he knew better than to make trouble in front of the Mitchells . Liam helped Grandma Mitchell into the room , moving slowly and steady . Mr. Price scrambled to his feet and practically shoved his own chair under Grandma Mitchell . " Talk ! What's going on here ? " Grandma Mitchell demanded , her expression dark as a storm . The bodyguard - built like a wall - stepped closer to Joy and Mr. Price . Panic flashed across both their faces , but Joy looked like she'd seen a ghost . " Grandma Mitchell , please , have some tea . Don't get too upset ," Mr. Price said , signaling frantically for the server . The server rushed over with a cup of tea , bowing . Mr. Price hurried to Grandma Mitchell's side , plastering on a nervous smile . " Ma'am , this really has nothing to do with me : Sure , I was involved with her for a bit , but you know how our circles are … " Grandma Mitchell narrowed her eyes , making him backtrack . " I mean , my circle ! When she got pregnant , I gave her two million for an abortion . Who'd have thought she'd keep pushing and try to scam both our families at once … " He went on , spinning a story that made both the Price and Mitchell families look like Joy's victims . Grandma Mitchell's face softened just a little - until Liam spoke up . " Mr. Price , just tell the truth . The Mitchell family won't touch you . And our business can continue , no hard feelings . " His voice was cold , the air in the room dropping a few degrees . Mr. Price's eyes lit up - this was his chance . He cleared his throat and forced a fawning smile . " She was a college student working at a nightclub when I met her . I thought she was pretty , so I kept her around . " " Look at me , I'm old , my kids have their own lives . Why would I want another child ? I took every precaution . But who knew she'd try to pull something like this … " He glared at Joy , his eyes full of disgust . " She got pregnant and tried to blackmail me into marrying her . Me , marry her? Impossible . I had someone give her a bank card at a party , thought that was the end of it . But she wouldn't let up . 3/3 Chapter 14 Then she drugged Mr. Mitchell and tried to pass the baby off as his … as if it was the Mitchell family's . " Grandma Mitchell shot to her feet , trembling with anger . " So the child is really yours ? Not from our family ? " Mr. Price nodded frantically . " Ma'am , please , don't let this vicious woman get to you . Even if that was the Mitchell family's kid , you couldn't keep someone like her around . She's so young , but already so manipulative - she even fooled me ." He kept going , " She asked me for money three times . The second time , I made her get proof and went with her for an amniocentesis . It really is my child , that's why I paid ! " The shock hit Grandma Mitchell hard . She just sat there for a long moment , frozen , then finally collapsed into a chair , clutching her chest . " How could someone like her fool the Mitchell family like this ? " Liam quickly signaled for the bodyguard to escort Grandma Mitchell to the hospital . Once they'd left , he finally let out a tense breath , his eyes landing coldly on Joy , who was still shaking . Joy's instincts kicked in . She dropped to her knees and grabbed Liam's leg , sobbing , " Liam , it's not true ! It's not ! He's lying , he just wants to trick you ! " Mr. Price cut in , voice icy . " The kid's here . Just do a paternity test , and you'll know if I'm lying or not . " Liam's face went colder still , eyes like ice . " … Test her , " he ordered quietly . Mr. Price immediately waved over two attendants . " Take her to Price Hospital . Mr. Mitchell and I will be there for the test ." " No ! Please , don't ! Liam , believe me ! Don't believe him , okay ? " Joy screamed , tears streaming down her face . " It's all a lie ! This really is your baby ! " The attendants dragged her by the arms . As they passed Liam , Joy clung desperately to his ankle . " Liam , don't you believe me ? Didn't you say you were excited for this baby too ? " Tears clung to her cheeks . If this were before , Liam would've caved in an instant - he'd have pulled her into his arms and comforted her . But now , his face was hard and cold , and he said nothing . Noticing his silence , Joy blurted out , " Liam , Esme's gone anyway . Why can't the three of us just be together ? " All of a sudden , Liam's hand locked around her throat , his anger finally boiling over . " Who … left ? " His eyes were wild . Mr. Price backed away , not wanting any part of this . 2/3 Chapter 14 Joy's face turned blue and purple as she struggled to breathe , snot and tears running down her face . " Mmm ! Mmm ! " she choked . Liam loosened his grip and Joy gasped for air , reeking of fear and humiliation . Mr. Price covered his nose and rushed over . " Mr. Mitchell , calm down . I'll make sure the test results are delivered to your house , no mistakes ! " Finally , the truth hit Joy . Her face twisted , the sweet and innocent act gone for good . She didn't bother pretending anymore . " Liam ! .No wonder Esme wanted a divorce so badly ! " Liam froze , like he'd been struck by lightning . He let go , and Joy stumbled away , looking at his shocked face with a bitter , twisted smile . " Liam , you didn't know , did you ? Esme left you a long time ago . She's never coming back ! " 3/3