Chapter 395: The Solution

"As long as you don’t insult my kids, I’ll refrain from showing my true colors—if that’s what bothers you," Serena said to Mallory, her tone calm but warning. "You insult me or Alex, I say nothing. But I won’t tolerate anything against my sons. I raised them alone for so many years, and it’s not for someone random to badmouth them without even knowing anything about them."

"The woman your son harmed is my husband’s sister. How am I supposed to answer them now?" Mallory asked, her face angry.

"She’s not dead," Alexander said calmly. "She’s fortunate it was my little son and not me using that knife on her. No one is allowed to bad mouth my woman." His gaze changed to warning one, "And I see you are doing just that."

Though Aledric was the King, a person is authority, Alexander was no less. Mallory knew it well to fear her brother and not cross his boundaries. After all he was raised by Aeldric himself and was taught cruelty over any emotions since young.

"You...You and your kids will pay for this," Mallory said angrily and stormed out.

Aeldric asked everyone to leave, leaving only his wife, son, and Serena in the room.

"Who was the one who did it—Aiden or Aaron?" Aeldric asked as he looked at Alexander.

"Just one of my sons," Alexander replied.

Aeldric chuckled mockingly as he said, "But I can tell—that was my Aiden. He truly inherited our blood."

Alexander and Serena shared worried glances. They didn’t confirm Aeldric’s claim.

"It’s decided. I am going to raise my grandkids," Aeldric declared. "They need my guidance and teaching so they can inherit the Riverdale empire."

"We don’t agree with it," Alexander and Serena said at the same time.

"They need me," Serena added.

"They won’t—once they’re under my care." Aeldric acted stubborn as if he owned those kids. He glared at Alexander as he said, "They don’t even have their last name Riverdale. Why are their last names Handrix when they are your kids? Are you that incapable to let your kids have their mother’s last name and not yours?"

"We have told you before, Serena alone raised them while I did nothing for them," Alexander said.

"At least you know your kids’ existence, or I would have been ashamed of you even more," Aeldric said, "I will carry out the documentation and change their last names to Riverdale. I can’t let this woman do as she pleases." Aeldric looked at Serena, "Did you get it?"

"I am their mother, and you can’t treat me like I have no rights over my own kids. They are Handrix. As long as I am alive, they are mine," Serena said, meeting Aeldric’s gaze squarely.

"Alive?" Aeldric chuckled.

"Father, I am still here," Alexander warned even before his father could even think more. He was well aware his father could kill anyone without a mercy.

Serena remained unfazed at Aeldric’s taunt and said, "Mr. Riverdale, you have power, and you might make me disappear from this world at any moment. But don’t forget—my sons, who can try to kill a woman over just a few foul words she said about their mother—will they leave a man who actually harms her? I’ve raised them, and I know well what they can do. Don’t underestimate them for being kids and think you can easily manipulate them."

Aeldric’s expression soured. "So this is how you raised them..."

"Enough!" Marina interrupted angrily. "I’m tired of seeing everyone argue over the kids instead of celebrating their return to the family. This is outrageous."

Aeldric turned to his wife. "Marina, I happy, and I want to keep them here in the family. This woman—"

"That woman is the reason you have not one, but two grandkids," Marina interrupted him. "If anyone has rights over the kids, it is always the mother. You’re doing the same to her that you did to me. You took Alex away from me, and now you want Serena to suffer the same way. What do you take us mothers for?"

"Marina, that’s the rule of the Riverdale family," Aeldric argued coldly.

"Rule? Who created it? You, right? I don’t believe in that rule," Marina declared. "If you’re their grandfather, then I am their grandmother. Don’t forget—I gave birth to Alex, and that’s how you even grandkids now. As their grandmother, I won’t let my grandkids suffer the way my son did."

"You can’t stop me," Aeldric said. "And you know it very well."

"If you keep this up, then instead of just staying in separate homes, let’s separate forever. Let’s get a divorce," Marina demanded. She truly looked like she had had enough of everything.

"Are you crazy? Divorce at this age?" Aeldric exclaimed.

"Why? Don’t want to divorce me just because it’ll tarnish your reputation—that the underworld lord’s wife demanded a divorce from him? The man who couldn’t keep his wife?"

"Marina..."

"Keep your voice down," she interrupted again. "I’m old and wish for nothing more in this life. Go ahead and kill me. One more life in your hands won’t make a difference to your list of crimes."

Aeldric angrily looked at her, only to hear her say, "What? Want me to bring you a gun to shoot me? Get it yourself."

The arrogant old man felt speechless and looked at Alexander and Serena with a killing gaze. His wife was against him—just because of these two.

"Alright!" the old man said, his eyes darkening with a plan. "Alexander and this woman have no plan of marrying, then so be it. But Alexander is the father of those kids, and no one can deny they are this family’s blood. To make peace, let’s split the kids. I will keep Aiden, and this woman can take away Aaron."

"Aeldric—"

"Don’t test my patience, Marina," Aeldric raised his voice. "I respect you for being my wife, but I don’t need to treat others the same way. If I can’t have them, then no one will. Now decide if you want your grandkids dead or alive—along with this woman and your son. I’m ready to make a decision right at this moment, and you know I can."

Marina felt her heart skip a beat.

Serena and Alexander looked at each other.

Aeldric looked at Alexander. "Make a decision. Just like your mother, you know what your father can truly do."

Alexander looked at Serena. "You can take away one of them with you."

"Alex, did you just agree with your father?" she asked, her expression full of disbelief.

"That’s the best choice for everyone," Alexander replied. "I’ll keep one of our sons, and you can keep the other."

"Alex—"

"Not anyone," Aeldric interrupted before Serena could say anything more. "I want Aiden. He’s the one I chose, and there won’t be any more compromise."

She looked at Aeldric and was about to speak when Alexander held her hand to stop her. "That’s final."

Serena only looked at him while Aeldric laughed and stood up. "That’s my son. He knows how to fear his own father." He looked at Serena. "You can stay here today and spend time with Aiden for the last time. Once you leave tomorrow with the other child, don’t ever look back. You’re not allowed to keep contact with Alexander or anyone else in this family. You are no longer Aiden’s mother now."

She clenched her fists and watched the old man leave.

Marina sighed and turned to her son. "I tried to help, but that man is simply impossible. We know he would order his people to kill anyone if things don’t go his way."

"It’s alright, Mother," Alexander said, and took Serena with him back to his room.