Chapter 1098

Seeing his eyes light up, Margaret questioned again, "Have you ever thought about Alexander's future?"

"He'll fall off his high horse and stop bossing us around. He won't control our money anymore!" He envisioned his bright future, wondering why he hadn't conceived this plan sooner. Early action would have yielded quicker results, but it wasn't too late; time remained.

"But have you considered that he'll have nothing left? He'll be labeled a by-blow of the Russell family. Have you thought about how bleak his future will be?"

"Mom, why are you being so benevolent? The way he treated us..."

"He didn't treat us badly. We never worried about food or clothing. You have your own mansion and sports car, and the Russell estate will be yours eventually. Relatively speaking, he provided you with a great deal."

Margaret hadn't viewed things this way before. She'd always felt her son lacked, and that Hugo was eccentric. Looking back, Ralph had more than enough; compared to Alexander's relative lack of resources, Ralph's life had been considerably easier.

"Mom!" Ralph exclaimed, rising angrily. "Why do you keep siding with him? Do you know how old this house is? Why don't you mention Alexander's possessions—the mansions, beach houses, greenhouses, sports cars, and everything else? Do I have any of those?

Dad built this family, the Russell family. Why did he get so much, and I, his son, got so little? I'm still his uncle! Why must I obey him? This belongs to our family! We're the Russells! What right does he have to treat us this way?!"

His suppressed anger exploded. His plan was clear; his mother's cooperation was the key. Yet, she hesitated.

Margaret rarely saw her son so dissatisfied, angry, and resentful. It was as if he harbored countless grievances she'd never known about. "You're right," she sighed softly. "Your dad built this from scratch. All of it belongs to the Russells!"

"Mom, I know you're thinking about Patrick, but I promised I wouldn't let Alexander starve on the streets. What's the big deal? I'll give him what I have now. As long as he doesn't oppose me, I guarantee he won't suffer!"

Ralph raised a hand, swearing solemnly. He felt he'd been more than generous to Alexander.

Margaret looked at him calmly. "But the report..."