"Fernando is a fool, Eric is too thoughtful..."

"Only you... are as cruel and smart as your father."

He grabbed Renault's wrist tightly with astonishing strength.

"Don't let me down... Bring the Rethers family... to the heights Aaron wanted."

Renault was silent for a moment, then slowly closed the box. "I will."

He turned and walked out of the study, holding the box, and his footsteps gradually faded away in the empty corridor.

Just then, Eric walked out from the shadows at the corner of the corridor.

He adjusted the collar of his suit, and a dark gleam flashed in his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses.

"The master is waiting for you." William suddenly spoke from behind him.

Eric's fingers had just touched the door handle when they suddenly froze.

How did grandpa know I was coming?

He clearly waited until Renault left before showing up.

When I pushed open the door, the firelight from the fireplace was illuminating the hunched back of the old patriarch.

The old patriarch didn't look back, but just said to the dancing flames, "Three minutes later than I thought."

Eric paused, a trace of panic on his face.

He walked into the study with forced composure, "You... knew I was coming?"

The old patriarch finally turned around, playing with the familiar pocket watch between his skinny fingers.

"It started when you hid behind the paintings in the West Corridor. For the past ten years, you've stood in the same spot every time you eavesdropped."

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Eric's back.

It turns out that in the past ten years, the surveillance that was thought to be secret had long been counter-surveillance.

Eric just sat down.

The old patriarch looked at him and asked, "Are you wondering why they chose Renault instead of you?"

"I just don't understand," Eric's voice remained gentle, but revealed a hint of suppressed resentment. "Over the years, everything I've done has been for my family."

"I work harder than anyone else, but you... have never truly recognized me."

The old patriarch did not answer, and the watch cover popped open with a "click".

The young officer in the photo is full of vigor and vitality.

"The day your father passed away," the old patriarch's voice suddenly became very soft, "Do you know who the last person he saw before he fell from the building was?"