Chapter 716

Alexander Vance's face stiffened.

He looked at Eleanor Vance.

Eleanor was holding Richard Evans and Robert Vance's hands, beaming with joy.

She didn't even spare him a glance from the corner of her eye.

Alexander's jaw tightened.

He clenched his fists and tentatively called out again.

"Grandmother..."

Eleanor still didn't turn around.

Richard chuckled.

"Alexander, Grandmother might not remember you clearly right now. The air gets stuffy with too many people. Perhaps you should step out for now."

Evelyn Ross frowned.

She wanted to say something, but looking at Eleanor's profile, she swallowed her words.

Alexander turned and walked away.

Evelyn immediately followed.

Before leaving the room, she glanced back.

Eleanor was patting Robert's hand, chatting and laughing with Richard.

It was as if she hadn't noticed their departure at all.

Evelyn took a deep breath and walked out.

Alexander had already reached the balcony.

She followed and saw him pull a cigarette from his pocket and light it.

In all the time Evelyn had known him, she'd rarely seen him smoke.

He was agitated to this extent now.

She walked to his side.

Alexander immediately stubbed out the cigarette and took a deep breath.

"Grandmother always said since I was little that I was her only grandson. She didn't acknowledge the grandson from outside."

Evelyn was slightly taken aback.

Alexander gave a wry smile.

"I never understood before. Richard is also her grandson. Why wouldn't she acknowledge him? Did Richard do something unforgivable? Later, I realized... it wasn't that she wouldn't acknowledge him. She didn't dare to. She was afraid that if she gave her affection to Richard, there wouldn't be enough left for me."

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

Suddenly, bursts of laughter erupted from the room.

Richard's exaggerated voice rang out.

"Grandmother, you finally remember me? Then do you know who this is? This is my wife, Lillian... and this is your great-granddaughter, Cecilia!"

Eleanor responded.

"Oh, oh, granddaughter-in-law!"

Lillian quickly answered.

"I'm here, Grandmother..."

Robert laughed.

"Mother, you must remember. This is your real grandson. Don't keep only outsiders in your eyes and heart anymore!..."

Outsider.

To Robert Vance, Alexander was just an outsider.

How ironic.

A pang of pain shot through Evelyn's heart. She reached out and took his hand.

Alexander immediately grasped it back, holding it tightly.

He smiled bitterly.

"See? In this family, when I was a child, I only had one relative."

Only Grandmother was good to him.

Evelyn leaned against his shoulder and said softly.

"From now on, you have me too."

Alexander was silent for a long time.

The two stood quietly by the window, watching the staff come and go in the Vance estate.

After an unknown amount of time, the room quieted down.

Robert and Richard walked out of the sickroom.

Richard spotted Alexander immediately.

He instructed Lillian and Cecilia.

"You two stay with Grandmother. Don't let any irrelevant people, or strangers Grandmother doesn't want to see, go in."

Lillian had been there all day and was exhausted, dizzy.

But she still stopped and nodded with a smile.

"Alright."

Only then did Richard turn a challenging gaze toward Alexander and walk over.

He smiled.

"Alexander, you're not jealous, are you? You've monopolized Grandmother for over twenty years. Now it's our turn to show our filial piety..."

Robert scoffed.

"Why would he be jealous? It's his own fault for always being away, making Grandmother forget him! Blame his own lack of filial piety! The old lady remembers everyone else, just forgot him!"

After Robert finished, Richard chimed in.

"Father, shouldn't we draft a new will? Grandmother's condition is quite precarious..."

Alexander instantly flew into a rage.

He stepped forward and grabbed Richard by the collar.

"What did you say about a will?! Grandmother is fine!"

Richard paled in fright.

"Let go of me!"

Robert roared angrily.

"Alexander Vance! What are you doing? Scared? Afraid your grandmother will divide the shares with us? Let me tell you, that's how it should be! I am your grandmother's only son. You, a grandson, have no inheritance rights! I am her sole heir!"

Alexander frowned.

After a moment, he let out a derisive laugh and released Richard.

He turned to look at Robert.

"Divide Grandmother's shares however you like. But I'm warning you. In her final days, don't make Grandmother unhappy!"

Robert was momentarily cowed by his son's imposing aura.

He snorted.

"Stop pretending to be filial here! Who are you putting on a show for? Doesn't the old lady still not recognize you, only me? Let me tell you, the father comes first, then the son! Why does the old lady like you? Because you're my son! What right do you have to act so arrogant!"

With that, he walked away slowly, hands clasped behind his back.

Richard glared furiously at Alexander, feeling humiliated.

He was twelve years older than Alexander, yet his younger brother had grabbed his collar in public.

Especially in front of Evelyn and Lillian.

He sneered.

"Alexander, I understand how you feel. But Grandmother only recognizes us now. There's nothing you can do, right? Don't worry, we'll take good care of Grandmother. As for you... aren't you busy? You don't need to come anymore from now on."

After throwing out these words, Richard turned and left.

Only after he was far away did Alexander take a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.

Evelyn looked at him and said gently.

"Don't be sad."

"I'm not sad."

Alexander's voice was flat.

Evelyn continued to comfort him.

"Grandmother has you in her heart. The way she is now... there might be another reason. Perhaps she doesn't want you to be too heartbroken when she passes..."

Alexander lowered his eyes.

His arms hung slightly at his sides.

His whole person exuded a sense of confusion and helplessness.

He looked like an abandoned puppy.

Evelyn couldn't bear to see it.

She took a step forward and grasped his hand.

"Alexander, there's something I can't keep from you any longer. Actually, Grandmother, she..."