Dear Ex-Wife You Are MINE (Victoria and Alessandro)
Chapter 90 Don't allow him in the company affair

(DEVONTE MANSION)

ALESSANDRO'S POV

I adjusted the laptop on my lap and sat upright. Following the call with Calvin, I descended the stairs and settled on the sofa in the living room, ready to delve into my work.

I glanced at my water and realized it had been a few hours since Victoria departed. Dominic had already dropped her off safely at home, and she had informed me of the same. Despite her claim of having dinner and going to bed on time, I felt the need to confirm with Sophia.

Following Victoria's departure from the mansion, I instructed Sophia to keep me informed about her because I had come to know her well enough in the past month. I realized that she was the type of person who would only share her happiness with you but not her worries and sorrows. So, to take care of her, I must always be cautious.

I wonder what she's doing now; perhaps she's already asleep. She informed me before going to bed. Honestly, I miss her a lot. I hurriedly finished my work in Paris and flew home to be with her, but... Sigh...

Well, no one is to blame for this. It was an accident, and we are relieved that Grandma is alright.

I dropped my working glass beside me and rubbed my temple. Once she wakes up and everything appears to be fine, I will head back home.

As I was staring at the laptop screen and thinking this and that, Claire, Grandma's personal maid or assistant, came over. She bowed a little to me as I looked up at her.

"Young master Devonte, Grandma is awake and asking of you."

Oh, she is awake! I immediately closed the laptop and stood up before rushing into Grandma's bedroom.

When I entered the room, Grandma was lying on the bed, and her private doctor was checking her. After he was done, he stood up, nodded at both of us and walked out.

As Grandma attempted to sit on the bed, I offered my assistance, supporting her along with her maids. Once settled, she motioned for her maids to accompany the doctor and requested that we be left alone. With a bow at both of us, her maids left, leaving us alone to converse.

She held my hand and gestured me to sit beside her, and I obliged, holding her old hands in mine.

"Has Victoria left?" She asked with her weak and tired tone.

I nodded. "Yes, Grandma. She was tired, so I sent her home, and Dominic dropped her home safely." I replied and felt her stiffen at the mention of Dominic's name.

I caressed her hands slowly, and she relaxed a little. She smiled weakly at me, "It's good that you sent her home. Make sure to take good care of her during her pregnancy."

I hummed in response. My mind is diverted now to a particular matter I witnessed this evening.

Both Grandma and Dominic presented some strange behaviors today. I observed this particularly when Grandma fainted upon seeing him.

Was that only shock of excitement or something else? Because at that moment, she seemed scared about it, and now, she was still uncomfortable when I mentioned his name. It feels like she is not happy seeing him back. Should I ask? I guess I should, right?

"Grandma..." I called out to her, causing her to snap out of her thoughts and redirect her gaze toward m.

"Grandma, may I know why Dominic's return caused you distress?" I finally asked.

And once again, I felt her tremble at my question. A hint of a strange emotion crossed her eyes, and that was gone in the next second. Her lips stretched into a smile.

"How can I not be happy about that? What are you talking about?" She pretended to be happy, and I know it. I am not convinced at all.

However, Grandma continued. "I fainted just because I was a little excited seeing him. After all, we all thought he died in the fire. Don't think too much about it."

Although I sensed something was amiss, I refrained from pressuring her to confide in me. She had just recovered from an illness, and I did not want to overwhelm her again. I should wait and be patient. So, I just nodded and continued, "You wanted me in private. Is there something you want to tell me?"

Grandma's light blue pair of eyes dropped on my hands on hers. She patted over and nodded her head in affirmative,

"Aless, since your parents passed away, you and I are the only ones who depend on each other. And if there is anything in this world that I should worry and care about on my deathbed, it is you."

Her words moved me deeply, causing my vision to blur, and I fought to hold back the tears. I don't want to cry before her, making her weak.

I know no one is permanent in this world. Everyone is just like guests; eventually, we must all depart, leaving behind all the memories we have created.

Grandma was right. After our parents died, she was the one who became our roots and shaped us with all she got. She shielded us and personally managed the affairs of both the business and the family. That is why, despite her mistakes and wrongdoings towards Victoria, I couldn't abandon her. However, her issues with Victoria have been resolved, and she has accepted everything.

Grandma continued, "Aless, I won't ever let anyone threaten your place in the Devote family."

Her words now started making a clear picture to me. So, this is about it. Dominic...

After Dominic was gone, I became the only heir, and for years, I took care of everything after Grandma decided to retire.

I only smiled and kissed her hands, "Grandma, do you think Dominic returned to compete with me for the family fortune?"

Though she did not exactly agree, her frown made me guess the answer correctly.

I continued, "Grandma, Dominic has his own life and set up a business now. Wouldn't he return earlier if he wanted to inherit the family's fortune? Why five years later, after growing up his own business?" "Even if Dominic really wants something, I will give it to him. And why not? After all, he is my elder brother."

I meant my words. We both share the legacy of the Devonte family. If not for that accident five years ago, he would have been in my place as the family's eldest son.

Moreover, Devontes has numerous properties and could be easily divided between two brothers. Why would I be upset or feel bad about it?

I will happily share with him what's mine, excluding my wife. That lady is mine only, no doubt.

However, just as I finished my words, Grandma suddenly sat straight as her hold on my hands tightened.

Her face flashed a different fear as she frowned and shook her head immediately, "Stupid boy! He is not worthy to compete with you!"

Her sudden words made me dumbfounded as I blinked at her. What?! What did she just say!?

I blinked at her. Perhaps she understood and, very awkwardly, smiled at me

"Uh... I mean, Dominic was not here for five years. All these years, you did everything alone. You took the company to a higher level with your alone efforts."

"My child, you worked so hard to keep the Devontes name alive when I was weak and broke apart. Dominic came so suddenly and unannounced with a completely different background."

"Now, with your wife beside you and a child coming soon, all you have to do is to focus on managing the company and taking care of your family. Please don't mess it up for yourself. Dominic won't quickly understand how things are done here."

"You should not let him be involved in the company affair. No matter what it is, never allow him to know the company's private affairs or any of that sort. You two are already on completely different sides now." I listened to her words, and each one of them only heightened the doubts within me. Wasn't she the one who used to love Dominic so much?

Just like me, her love for Dominic used to be deep. She became sick after his death news and even underwent surgery.

Now, five years later, why is she so adamant about convincing me not to share any company-related things with him when he is also rightfully a shareholder in the Reywalt Corporation?

However, I did not let my doubts come to my face and only nodded at Grandma. Asking her too many questions could cause trouble in her health, which I don't want for her. The doubts in my heart deepened again, but I hid them from her.

After talking, she sighed, "I am feeling a little tired. I want to take a nap..."

She turned to me and kissed the back of my hand. "I couldn't have lunch today with Victoria. Poor girl, she has to go back because of me. Now, I am fine, and I have maids and a doctor to look after me. You should head home and keep her company." She said, and I nodded. I stood up, helped lie on the bed again, and covered her with a duvet.

She closed her eyes, and I dropped a kiss on her temple before standing straight and lowering the bedside lamp. Slowly, I walked out of her bedroom.

As I came downstairs, Claire came to me and bowed a little, "Do you want to have dinner now, young master?"

I looked upstairs for a second and turned to her again, shaking my head. "I have some business to attend to and won't be having dinner here tonight. Take care of Grandma and inform me if anything happens." She nodded with a slight bow as I walked out of the mansion.

I do have a very important business to do...