Chapter 2510
By the time they’d made the rounds of the gathering, Alyssa was visibly tired, so Ivy escorted her back to the room for some rest.
“Grandma, you really outdid yourself today. My little concerns can surely wait,” Ivy said, her voice soft with concern.
Alyssa was indeed exhausted, and it showed. Yet, upon hearing Ivy’s words, she patted Ivy’s hand gently and replied, “I know you’re considerate, dear, not wanting to worry Dean and me. But I must tell you something. This world we’re in is all about what you bring to the table. People come for what they can gain, and they’ll leave just as quickly when the benefits dry up. While Dean and I still have some clout, we need to lay the groundwork for you and your future.”
Ivy’s heart tightened at the melancholy in Alyssa’s voice, calling out softly, “Grandma…”
Alyssa had seen all the warmth and the frost of human relationships throughout her years, and these harsh truths she spoke of were borne from bitter experience.
Now that they were in a position to help, they certainly didn’t want Ivy to face the same disheartening struggles they had endured in their youth.
“So don’t worry too much about us, darling. We’ll do what we can while we can. And when the load gets too heavy, just like how I felt tired today and came up to rest, we’ll step back,” Alyssa said with a weary smile.
Meanwhile, Balfour was the epitome of elegance as he mingled with the guests, following in Dean’s footsteps. Although he was a man of few words, his very presence was enough to honor the attendees.
Simply clinking glasses with Balfour was considered a badge of honor among the crowd.
Dean watched Balfour with immense pride. It seemed like only yesterday the boy was just a little tyke trailing behind them, and now, he towered over Dean, with shoulders broad and strong,
Seeing Balfour and Ivy thriving brought Dean and his dear wife, Alyssa, peace of mind, knowing they could eventually step back from their duties with confidence.
“Dean, you’re one lucky man to have such a fine grandson. That kind of blessing is rare and something to be envied,” a guest complimented.
The praise brought a gleam of joy to Dean’s eyes, crinkling the corners with delight.
“You flatter him. The boy’s grown up with little interference from us. To see him turn out this well, that’s all his own doing. Your own son is shining bright in his own field, so don’t be too hard on yourself!” Dean replied to an old friend who had always been a bit sore about his son’s disinterest in the family business.
But like Dean pointed out, his friend’s son was excelling in his chosen path, so there was no need for such fixation.
The friend laughed heartily. “I suppose I am a bit stubborn. I should take a leaf from book and see the broader picture.”
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Dean patted him on the back and said, “Today’s not the day for such talk. Let’s set a date to go fishing and chew the fat properly.”
For men of their age, every meeting could be the last, and Dean didn’t extend invitations lightly anymore.
Sometimes the reality was bittersweet. They had all aimed for the pinnacle of success, yet the time to enjoy it was fleeting. Better to make the most of their remaining years while they were still hale and hearty.
Dean had always had a philosophical outlook on life, including its end. He and Alyssa had a pact: if anyone left first, the other would follow him after taking care of everything.
With that in mind, even death seemed less daunting.
As for Balfour, he was blissfully unaware of his grandparents’ pact, focused as he was on the here and now.
