That's right. I'm his grandmother... Her hand, combing her hair, stilled. Margaret was deep in thought, her eyes distant. "I'm his grandmother..."

"Mom, don't overthink it! Look, I'm your son and his uncle, but he never showed me any mercy!" Ralph noticed her distress and tried to reassure her. "Mom, we're not forcing him to die. We just want him to relinquish control of the Russell family. Didn't you always want me to take over the family and the company? We're just setting things right, getting everything back on track."

"Setting things right," Margaret emphasized, nodding. "Yes, setting things right."

Ralph felt she'd made up her mind and breathed a sigh of relief. He pushed the breakfast toward her. "Mom, you should eat something. No need to rush; it's still early. Eat slowly."

"Okay." She picked up her spoon, then noticed he was still sitting. "Is there anything else?"

"Mom, have you told my sister about this?" Even with his mother's agreement, Celine's testimony would strengthen their case.

"She doesn't know," Margaret replied calmly, lowering her head and blowing on the hot porridge.

"If so... I'll ask Celine to come here. I'll tell her the plan so she won't be caught unaware and make a mistake later." He rose to leave, then paused. "By the way, did she read the previous DNA report?"

Margaret took a sip of porridge, without looking up. "She brought back the DNA report. Do you think she didn't read it?"

"That..." He was startled by his oversight. Celine revealing the truth would be disastrous.

"I'll talk to her after breakfast. You don't have to worry." Margaret set down her spoon and looked at him. "There's still time. Think carefully. What do you truly want? Is it something you must possess, no matter the cost? Remember what I told you before: leave a way out for others, so you'll have a way out for yourself."

His mother's recent pronouncements were unsettling. Her constant references to leaving a way out and letting things go were cryptic. Did she want him to release Alexander?

Power struggles were always a matter of life and death. This would have been a fight between brothers, had his brothers not died so young. He refused to believe anyone would leave him a way out if he failed. Still, he said perfunctorily, "Fine. I understand. However, you mustn't believe anything Alexander tells you, Mom. You know he's been scheming since he was young. Don't be fooled by him."

Margaret stared at him, nodding after a moment. "You should go."

Ralph left her room, but unease lingered. He felt he should find Celine and speak to her personally. His mother's strange behavior demanded he ensure everything was in order before he could rest easy.