CHAPTER 268: DESMOND ISN’T AN ALLEN...

As Davis wheeled back into the lounge area, he glanced around, expecting to see Bella still chatting away beside Jessica. But to his surprise, the seat next to Jessica was empty. And the bottle of water in her hand was almost emptied.

Noticing him rolling into the lounge, Jessica looked up and smiled briefly. "Bella had to leave," she said gently, standing to her feet. "She got called into surgery. An emergency case."

Davis nodded in understanding. "Typical Bella. Always running where she’s needed."

Jessica chuckled softly, then reached for the wheelchair. "Shall we go see Grandpa now?"

"Of course," Davis replied with an affirmative nod. His heart beating wildly at the thought, he had previously blamed him for not stopping Desmond’s attitude of taking over his fiancée for his son, but with so many events that had taken place within this period, he felt grateful.

Also, he still had to guide Bella into recalling who their grandfather was and possibly introducing them to each other.

Davis’ lips lifted upward as he imagined how surprising and comforting the revelation would be to the Elder who had borne the pain of losing his granddaughter, son.

Slowly, they made their way through the quiet corridors of the hospital going over to another wing of the large hospital.

A soft hush lingered in the air, interrupted only by the soft echo of their steady footsteps.

Soon, they reached the VIP wing. Several bodyguards of Davis’ secret team stood respectfully at the door, preventing even the smallest fly to pass through into the ward.

"Welcome, boss," they chorused in unison as Davis came to a halt at the doorpost. Jessica, with measured steps, stopped beside him, sighing deeply.

A nurse stationed at the front recognized them immediately and stood to welcome them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Allen, you’re here?" she greeted.

Jessica nodded politely. "Yes, how is he today?"

The nurse smiled. "He’s awake and in high spirits."

With a whirring sound, the door of the ward was pushed open and they went into the ward quietly.

Elder Allen’s head snapped towards their direction, his breath hitched as though the air had been knocked out of his lungs when his unwavering gaze met theirs and the cup he had in his hand fell to the floor with a thud.

Slowly, he rubbed his eyes again. "Alfred, are my eyes playing tricks on me?" he asked with a tremor in his voice.

Alfred smiled faintly at his question as he stepped forward to shake Davis’ hand happily. He patted Jessica’s back, his eyes curving into a thin line.

"Your eyes aren’t lying and they are not playing any tricks on you. Davis and his wife are finally back after months of disappearance," he explained, his eyes reddening with emotion.

Initially, he had been worried that Davis might have lost his life for good in the plot of another man, but as he began receiving changes and modifications to the security details taking care of the old man, as well as sending him out of the previous ward to a more advanced one...he felt his heart relieved.

"Davis! Jessica!" his voice came out raspy but filled with life.

Jessica was the first to walk over, holding his wrinkled hand gently. Davis wheeled beside her, his eyes soft as he looked at the man who raised him.

"Grandpa," Davis said, a rare gentleness in his voice. "You look better than I imagined."

"And you look stronger than the rumors," the old man said, glaring at him and squeezing Jessica’s hand. "It seems you wanted my death."

He narrated, "They said you were dead. I didn’t believe them. But not hearing from you..."

"I’m sorry," Davis said, emotion flickering in his tone. "Things got complicated. But I’m back now."

"Hmph! Who still wants you to come back?" The old man harrumphed.

Jessica couldn’t help smiling. Davis wheeled his chair closer under the old man’s gaze.

"Young Master, Young Madam," Alfred greeted. "It is good to see you again."

"Alfred," Davis nodded. "You’ve done well taking care of him."

"Only my duty," Alfred replied, then exchanged glances with the caregiver. "But there are some things you need to know."

Davis tensed slightly. "Go on."

Alfred looked serious. "There have been several attempts on the Elder’s life since you disappeared. At least three direct incidents."

Jessica nodded slightly "Okay?"

"The first happened two weeks after your accident," the caregiver explained, stepping forward. "Someone tampered with his medication. We only noticed because Alfred insisted on cross-checking the labels."

"The second time," Alfred continued, "someone tried to disconnect his oxygen at night. Thankfully, we had security footage. But the footage was wiped clean before the morning shift arrived."

"And the third?" Davis asked calmly, though his eyes narrowed.

"A man disguised as a janitor brought in contaminated IV fluid," Alfred said. "We stopped him in time. Since then, we’ve stationed loyal guards inside and outside this room twenty-four seven."

Davis nodded slowly. "You did well. We must have the hospital re-checked from the inside. Run background checks on every staff member who has access to this wing."

"Already underway," Alfred confirmed.

The old man sighed heavily. "So much for peace in old age. Even now that I have exhausted my use, I’m still a target."

Jessica reached out and squeezed his hand. "Don’t worry. You will be fine."

Elder Allen smiled. "I’m not thinking about myself but you both."

Davis and Jessica glanced at each other in surprise. "What about us?" Jessica asked, hoping there was no problem.

Elder Allen smiled. "I think you both should be planning now about how to add a number to the family."

Davis and Jessica glanced at each other in surprise. "Grandpa, won’t you first talk about how to survive your stay in the hospital?"

Elder Allen: "Nothing is going on with me," he muttered.

Davis leaned closer, his eyes narrowed. "Do you have any idea who is behind your continuous attack?" he asked quietly.

The old man closed his eyes for a moment, shielding the pained expression on his face before replying in a clipped tone, "Desmond."

Jessica and Davis exchanged a glance, their breath hitched before it slowly fell.

"Grandpa, what is Desmond’s background? Why do I have the feeling that you are intentionally stopping him from taking over?" Davis asked.

Several times he had always given it a dire thought. While his father was alive, he had managed the group even as a junior brother to Desmond, and now he had been asked to take over.

Davis couldn’t help imagining the possibility of something fishy going on. And the root cause of every problem should be discovered and treated on time.

Elder Allen thought for a while, his gaze into the distance as his countenance grim. "You are quite observant. Well, Desmond isn’t an Allen."