To understand how things got to this point, it all started after the Teitan Elementary School council contacted the parents of class 1-A.

The parents had been contacted by the school council with regard to an incident involving their children. It seemed that during the camping trip when everyone has gotten word of the possibility of a serial killer on the same island where they sent their children, it was enough to stir panic and concern among the parents. The school council, in an attempt to address the issue and ensure the safety of the children, had reached out to the parents for support and cooperation.

At first, the talks of using the school's emergency funds were smoothly transitioning. But then, when word got out that the place was in some 5* hotel, adding the fact that the parents may need to foot half of the expenses since it was likely the school funds won't be able to cover all of their children's stay, parents became increasingly frustrated and angry. They felt that their children's safety was compromised, and now they were being burdened with additional expenses.

The worst part, was when an anonymous call tipped the parents that one of the children of 1-A class, mainly Ranran and Shinichi, was in that hotel since last week, the caller made it as if the Kudo children abandoned their classmates at the campsite to fend for themselves, despite knowing that there is a serial killer out there on the island.

As the rumours and accusations spread, the tension escalated rapidly, reaching the boiling point. The parents of Teitan Elementary School's 1-A class were now demanding answers and accountability from the Kudo family. They gathered outside the Kudo grandparents' home, their frustration and anger are palpable.

Inside the house, the elderly Kudos were taken aback by the sudden influx of parents and the heated atmosphere. The matriarch, Mrs Kudo, clenched her fists, trying to maintain her composure despite her rising anger.

"I know that as soon as Ranran moved here a year ago, their children will be giving her a hard time. But the damn audacity for their parents to attempt and guilt trip our family privilege, just to pay for their damn children, despite Ranran and Shinichi making attempts to take them to safety....how dare they accuse our grandchildren of such things!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mix of indignation and concern. "I can't wait to teach them a damn bloody lesson!"

The Kudo patriarch, Mr Kudo, placed a reassuring hand on his wife's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Easy now, dear. We need to handle this situation with caution and reason. We don't want to escalate things further."

"This was all my fault," The former Mrs Kudo took a deep breath, attempting to compose herself while she showed a melancholic expression, "Had I believed in Ranran's mother years ago, we wouldn't be in this situation. But all of that is nothing, compared to what Ranran had to endure."

Mr Kudo's expression softened as he listened to his ex-wife's remorseful words. He understood the weight of her regrets and the pain they carried. He gently squeezed her shoulder, offering her comfort.

"It's not just your fault, dear, we all turned a blind eye when it happened," he replied, his voice filled with empathy. "It's no use regretting the past, all we can do now is fix what we can now."

The former couple shared a moment of silent reflection, their thoughts focused on the hardships Ranran had faced since moving to Japan. They remembered the struggles she had encountered, the harassment she had endured and the moments when she begged that she be sent back to the U.K. It was a dark chapter in the Kudo family.

"Why won't you come out of the house!? You are all cowards as always! All of the Kudo family members are, especially their grand-daughter, Ranran!"

As the parents outside continued their demands and accusations, those words were enough to tick Mrs Kudo, "I can't let this trash-talking about Ranran's character continue on!" The grandmother berated in anger, "I just can't!"

The woman's anger reached its peak as she heard the derogatory remarks about Ranran. Her protective instincts kicked in, and she couldn't bear to let those false accusations tarnish her granddaughter's reputation any further. With determination in her eyes, she turned to her husband.

"We need to go out there and confront them," she said, her voice unwavering. "I may not have been the best mother in the world, but I won't add being the worst grandmother as one of the worst sins I have ever committed in my lifetime!"

...................................................

Together, the elderly Kudos made their way to the front porch, where the angry parents were still gathered, their voices filled with anger and frustration. "What is wrong with all of you and your self-entitlement!? Just because the school refused to foot the full bill for their stay at the hotel because of a serial killer, you all decided to come marching to our home and pay for the safety of your own children!?"

The parents turned their attention to the Kudo grandparents, their expressions a mix of curiosity and hostility. "At what point are we unreasonable!?" One of the mothers yelled, before pointing at the elderly matriarch, "Your 6-year-old grand-daughter told everyone that there was a confirmed serial killer, and rather than take all of the kids with her, she left them to fend for themselves at Kodama Forest campsite while she checked herself into a 5-star hotel!"

"And your grandson, Shinichi, joined her not long after! How do you explain that!?" Another mother cried out loud.

The elderly man took a deep breath, gathering his composure as he faced the angry parents. He understood their frustrations and concerns, but he was determined to set the record straight.

"I understand that you are upset and worried about your children," Mr Kudo began, his voice calm but firm. "But the information you have is not entirely accurate. Ranran and Shinichi did not abandon their classmates at the campsite. There were circumstances that led to their separation, and they took action to ensure their own safety."

"Then if that were the case, why did our children have to eat food from a walk-in fridge where there are allegedly not one, but two decomposing corpses in there!? Could your two grandchildren just bring the food from the hotel to simply give it to them!?" Another mother lectured.

Meanwhile, his ex-wife eyes widened with shock as she heard the mother's accusation. She felt a surge of anger rises within her on the words directed at her ex-husband, but she knew that responding with anger would not help the situation. Taking a deep breath, she replied with a measured tone. "You do know that there were several days of the typhoon when it happened, right? Also, there is the penalty if they do so."

"Oh!? So not wanting to pay the penalty is way more important than our children's lives!?" An angry father blasted.

"Also, why are our kids forced to pitch their tents outside the parking lot of the luxury hotel!?" One father was becoming agitated by the minute, "Since the hotel refused to accommodate them since there is no evidence of a serial killer, sure you all can afford to pay for our kid's accommodation!"

The Kudo grandparents listened to the parents' grievances, realizing that their attempts to clarify the situation and defend Ranran and Shinichi's actions were met with scepticism and anger. And it ain't odd, since parents tend to be biased when it comes to their own biological children's well-being.

Seeing their expression reminded her of her younger years, of the time when she became a mother.

......................

Before all of this took place, the Kudo family was doomed to not have any children.

Against the opposition of both families, the patriarch and matriarch of the Kudo family got married. The reason for this opposition wasn't due to being against an arranged marriage from the patriarch's side, but rather, the matriarch side was an orphan.

Although this was a period that it was too much of a stereotype to think that a person who is born into an orphanage was considered a wild untamed person, the patriarch's side wasn't completely in the wrong. In a way, before becoming Mrs Kudo, she had a colourful past unlike any other.

Before marrying, she used to have an on-and-off live-in boyfriend back in the U.K., since her early university days. 

And things grew serious back then, there were talks of marriage from both sides. If that didn't make things fair out any better, she used to party in one nightclub after another during her youth.

But the marriage fell through because his mother was against this marriage. The guy was the son of an affluent noble family, so there were rumours that the mother looked down on her background, as well as her hot temper.

Although he was willing to go against his mother to marry her off the bat, the uncertain future of finance, as well as them being too young and immature resulted in the breakdown of this relationship, leading her to eventually marry into the Kudo family, and ended up having Kudo Yusaku, but miscarrying another child while bringing him into this world.

But even that wasn't enough for the matriarch.

She couldn't accept it, some would say to fill that void of the child that she lost while having Kudo Yusaku, she adopted children, much against her in-laws' wishes. Initially adopting one son, and then a daughter, Yusaku wasn't completely alone anymore. For a while, the family was merry, for Yusaku and his adopted sister's part at least. The adopted son didn't warm up to them at all, as he was going through a lot in his life at the age of 6 or 7 at that time, and he ain't particularly close to the matriarch, but he was alright with his siblings so to speak.

But then, everything changed when the arranged marriage was set for the adopted son.

If their real-life mirrors a typical stereotypical romance drama involving an evil fiancé trapping the male lead, this would be the proper definition of what the adopted son had to go through, turning his personality cold, but it didn't change his relationship with his siblings. The relationship between him and the matriarch worsened when she and the arranged fiancé of her adopted son grew closer. In a way, the matriarch thinks she has four children now.

But then, around 4 years later, a new student joined Teitan Elementary School and changed the relationship for better or for worst, you be the judge.

The new student was named Irene, a 6 or 7-year-old schooler, who skipped grades and entered fifth grade due to her superior intelligence. And a beauty she truly was, it caught the eyes of all boys of various grades in school, including Yusaku and his adopted brother. Which did not sit well with the matriarch when she finds out both of her sons were spending more and more time with that child.

In a way, she had fairly good reasons.

Upon sending a private investigator to look into that little girl's parents, her mother's past was way worst than the matriarch's. In many ways, her mom was a home wrecker, ruining the engagement of her elder sister by sleeping with the fiancé, which is how that little girl was born, and her mom was later kicked out of the house as a result at the age of 17.

To summarise it shortly, Irene's mother was not only a teenage mother who ruin family relationships, she even worked in a night club after moving out of the U.k, something that irked the matriarch greatly. And the matriarch didn't have a good impression of Irene when she first met her outside their elementary school and she warned Irene to leave her boys alone, the first thing Irene said to her was, "Ma'am, one question, are your sons aware of this meeting being carried out?"

Feeling that the child was rude, she replied, "Whether they do or not, they wouldn't mind. They are my sons, and I am doing what is best for them."

"Best for them?" 6-year-old Irene exclaimed, "Or best for your own interest?"

Irene's bold response took aback the matriarch. It was a confrontation she hadn't expected from a young girl. Intrigued by Irene's words, the matriarch's tone softened slightly. "What do you mean by 'best for my own interest'? I care deeply about my son's well-being and want what is best for them."

"Well if you truly are, you wouldn't be telling me off to leave them all alone. Also, we shared the same classroom, and we have no money to afford to move to another school. How can you just simply tell me not to encounter them, when we literally study under the same school? And we don't have the luxury to go to another school, my mother raised me single-handedly."

"You-"

"Mrs Kudo," Irene looked at the matriarch with unwavering determination. "If your sons were the ones who approached me, are you going to simply blame me for wooing them to me? By playing the victim?"

Irene's insight momentarily took aback the matriarch.  "How dare you be so rude! Do you not know how to respect your elders?!"

"How do you expect me to respect you if you are first-hand telling me not to meet your sons, whom they voluntarily came up to me to talk about homework and classes? We ain't in kindergarten to be told who we should and shouldn't meet."

Perhaps at that time, the matriarch knew that Irene is the illegitimate daughter of a mistress, she later replied, "You should, after all, you are just like your mother who didn't know when to stop touching things that didn't belong to them!"

The matriarch's harsh response was fueled by her lingering prejudices and assumptions. Despite her initial attempts to foster understanding, she still held onto her judgment of Irene based on her mother's past. The mention of Irene being the illegitimate daughter of a mistress was meant to provoke and hurt.

However, Irene remained composed, refusing to let the matriarch's words affect her. She looked straight into the matriarch's eyes, her voice steady but filled with conviction. "Mrs Kudo, were you not any different before wooing your husband when your own friend had an interest in her?"

The mother fell into an uneasy silence as Irene's words hung in the air. The matriarch's face turned pale, her eyes widening with surprise and discomfort. It was a dark twist in the conversation, a sudden revelation that caught her off guard.

If the school hadn't released the other kids on time that day, the matriarch swore she could've slapped this child.

And yet, this child didn't bat an eyelid despite the matriarch giving her a contempt glare before leaving the school premises, with her head held high.

......................

Perhaps Kami-sama at that time deemed the matriarch to be a very unfit mother.

In a way, for the next 6 years, a lot of things went wrong between her and her 3 children.

Her relationship with her adopted son turned a lot more estranged the more she bonded closer with his arranged fiance whom the matriarch deemed could do no wrong, her biological son began to have a crush on that Irene girl, and the worst part out of all of this was...her own adopted daughter got pregnant quite young unexpectedly, forcing her to drop out of school and a shotgun marriage.

Life seemed to be unravelling for the matriarch of the Kudo family. It was as if fate had conspired against her, throwing one challenge after another in her path. The bonds that held her family together were slowly eroding, and she found herself questioning her own abilities as a mother.

The matriarch's heart sank as she learned about her adopted daughter's unexpected pregnancy, worst still when she refused to abort it, and this was a harsh blow, shattering the hopes and dreams she had for her children. She felt a mix of disappointment, anger, and worry coursing through her veins.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon her shoulders, and the matriarch couldn't help but blame herself. She questioned her own parenting skills, wondering where she had gone wrong. The once bright future she envisioned for her family seemed to be slipping away, replaced by a cloud of uncertainty.

Her adopted son's estrangement only deepened, his resentment towards her growing with each passing day. The matriarch's attempts to bridge the gap between them were met with indifference or outright hostility. It was as if she had become a stranger in her own home, a mere shadow of the loving mother she aspired to be.

Meanwhile, her biological son's infatuation with Irene intensified, adding another layer of complexity to their already strained relationship. And it wasn't appropriate, given that he was 17 while she was 13 at that time. The matriarch found herself torn between her loyalty to her own blood and her duty to the family as a whole. It felt like walking on a tightrope, a delicate balancing act between love and responsibility.

The matriarch often found solace in the quiet moments of the night when the world around her was still. She would gaze out at the stars, seeking guidance and understanding. She yearned for a chance to make things right, to mend the fractures that had formed within her family.

Deep down, the matriarch knew that love was the key. Love, acceptance, and forgiveness had the power to heal wounds and restore broken bonds. But when one is married into the Kudo family, a family tied to tradition, the weight of expectations can be suffocating. The matriarch had always felt the pressure to uphold the family's reputation, maintain appearances and adhere to societal norms. Honestly, she couldn't have survived without the help of her loving husband, who always helped defended her against his unreasonable parents.

But all of that would later be nothing, compared to what happened in Teitan High school months later down the line.

..............................................

Months later, an incident occurred at Teitan High School that would shake the Kudo family to its core.

The details of this incident are unclear, but it was enough to paint the Kudo family as a villain of their kind. Especially when the adopted son's fiance was painted by the press in a bad light.

In the aftermath of the incident at Teitan High School, the media took hold of the story and spun it in a way that portrayed the Kudo family in a negative light. Sensationalized headlines and rumours spread like wildfire, painting the family as villains within their social circle. The adopted son's fiancé, who was initially seen as an innocent victim, was now being portrayed as someone with ulterior motives and questionable character.

The matriarch of the Kudo family, already burdened by the challenges within her own household, found herself facing public scrutiny and judgment. The media storm intensified the strain on her relationships with her children and tested her resilience as a mother.

The matriarch tried her best to shield her family from the harsh spotlight and the damaging rumours. She stood by the future-daughter-in-law, knowing that the truth was more complex than the distorted narratives being presented. Yet, the weight of public perception took its toll on the family, straining their bonds even further.

The worst utter betrayal, was when the adopted son came to the press and revealed the 'horrible' things the fiance had done.

As the media storm raged on, the matriarch became more determined than ever to protect her family. She sought legal counsel to address the false information being spread and fought to reclaim their reputation. Her actions were driven not only by a desire to defend her family's name but also by a genuine belief in the goodness and resilience of others, mainly the adopted son's fiance who she treasured like her own daughter.

The matriarch tried her best to shield her family from the harsh spotlight and the damaging rumours. She stood by her adopted son's fiancé and went against her own adopted son, knowing that the truth was more complex than the distorted narratives being presented. Yet, the weight of public perception took its toll on the family, straining the bonds between her and her adopted daughter and biological son, who sided with the adopted son even further.

Then 3 years later, it was fractured beyond repair.

Suddenly, the adopted daughter died in a car accident with an abusive lover, leaving the poor kid she bore an orphan.

Then, Yusaku finally got over his love for Irene but ended up marrying an actress, which again, earned disapproval.

But none of this could've prepared the matriarch for the worst-case scenario: Allegedly, Irene, the girl she dislikes, is not only pregnant with her son's child but eloped with the adopted son to the U.K.

The matriarch was devastated by the series of tragic events that unfolded within her family. The loss of her adopted daughter in a car accident, along with the revelation of her abusive relationship, left a deep void in her heart. She mourned the loss of a daughter she had come to love and regretted not being able to protect her from the hardships she had faced.

Meanwhile, Yusaku's marriage to an actress, especially when they were expecting Shinichi at that time, further strained the relationship between the matriarch and her biological son. The disapproval from the matriarch only widened the gap between them, as Yusaku sought happiness and fulfilment outside of his family's expectations. All of this in combination was enough to result in a divorce later on between her and her husband, though this was the least painful chapter in the matriach's life, since she barely shared the same sentimental feelings with her husband comparing to her husband.

But the matriarch's world shattered when she learned of the alleged elopement of Irene, the girl she had disliked, who not only eloped with her adopted son to the U.K but also bore a grandchild, who would later turn out to be Ranran. The news struck her like a bolt of lightning, leaving her in a state of shock and disbelief. It was a culmination of all her fears and worries coming to fruition.

Confusion and a whirlwind of emotions engulfed the matriarch so much so, it turned to projected anger against that girl named Irene, for ruining her family.

It wasn't until one attempted assassination later that the truth began to emerge, that the adopted son was completely right when he said the arranged fiance was evil. But the damage had already been done. The public's perception of the Kudo family had been tainted, and rebuilding trust within their social circle proved to be an arduous task.

After that incident, she had always questioned where she had gone wrong as a mother, and how her family had reached such a breaking point. She was filled with a sense of betrayal and heartache, unable to comprehend how the situation had escalated to this extent.

Deep down, the matriarch knew that she had played a part in the fractures that had formed within her family. Her prejudice and inability to fully embrace and support her children's choices had created a rift that seemed impossible to mend. She realized the weight of her actions and how they had contributed to the disintegration of the family unit.

In the face of this devastating revelation, the matriarch was left with a choice. She could succumb to despair and let bitterness consume her, or she could reflect on her mistakes, seek forgiveness, and work towards reconciliation. It was a painful and difficult path ahead, but the matriarch knew that if there was any hope of rebuilding her family, she had to confront her own shortcomings and make amends.

..............................................

As much as the matriarch officially managed to restore peace to the family when olive branches were offered, the acceptance of Irene as her official daughter-in-law was not met with unanimous happiness. The wounds of the past and the lingering effects of the media storm had left their mark on the family dynamics, and not everyone was able to easily embrace the new reality.

Some members of the family, particularly those who had been sceptical of Irene from the beginning, struggled to let go of their reservations. They harboured lingering doubts and concerns, unable to fully trust Irene or believe that she had the best intentions for their loved ones.

And the reason matriarch of the Kudo family could tell when one of the angry parents, a father, who originally instigated the idea that they should demand the Kudo family to pay for their children's five-star accommodation and yelled, "Being so defensive over your grand-daughter Ranran's actions, I ain't surprised. That Irene who you used to hate gave birth to a daughter, something you always wanted for so many years, of course, you would be naturally defensive even if Ranran was in the wrong!"

And this was enough to make the matriarch finally snap.

Because Irene was formerly one of the few whistleblowers during the Teitan High School incident, and was the only student spared from becoming a victim, she had become the target of resentment and blame from certain individuals within their social circle. These individuals couldn't let go of their preconceived notions and prejudices, refusing to see Irene as anything other than the catalyst for the family's troubles.

And considering Irene isn't always around most of the time, flying overseas with her current husband to work while Ranran is left here, it ain't surprising that the hate was directed onto their own kids to go after Irene's daughter. But it only irked them further that Ranran was deviously cunning and setting the children up into serious trouble with the law, intensifying their hatred even further.

The matriarch, who had worked tirelessly to rebuild the family and foster a sense of unity with her ex-husband, as well as the family members she had wronged previously, felt a surge of anger and frustration at the father's accusation. The pent-up emotions from the past struggles and the ongoing challenges they faced erupted within her. She had reached her breaking point.

In a moment of raw honesty, the matriarch confronted the father, her voice filled with a mix of pain and determination. "How dare you insinuate that my acceptance of Irene is solely driven by my desire for a granddaughter? Do you think so little of me because of what happened years ago back in Teitan High School!? That I once formerly defended an evil girl who would've been my daughter-in-law!? Unless you have truly forgotten who was at fault for starting that mess years ago!"

The father, taken aback by the matriarch's outburst, momentarily lost his composure. "I-"

"What? Do you want me to refresh your memory, Mr Mana Muryoku?!" With the snap of the finger, and to her husband's horror, the matriarch berated, "When that thing was announced on the press, that Teitan High School had turned into a baby farming factory, who was one of the master conspirators who came up with this idea?! It was your own brother, Mr Mana! And he was only 17 when he started this mess with the other teenagers!"

The atmosphere fell into stunned silence as the matriarch's words hung in the air. The remainder of this revelation about Mr. Mana Muryoku's involvement in the past events at Teitan High School sent shockwaves through the family and their social circle. 

Mr. Mana, stood there, his face pale and his mouth agape, unable to form a coherent response.

The matriarch continued, her voice steady but filled with righteous indignation. "Yes, that's right. Your own teenage brother at that time played a significant role in the events that tarnished our family's reputation. He was one of the instigators, one of the masterminds behind the false accusations and the media storm. And yet, you have the audacity to question my intentions and accuse me of defending the wrong person? I may have made a mistake with one person, but not with Irene, my sons, or even Ranran! Not anymore!"

The weight of the truth settled in the room, and the matriarch's words echoed in the silence. Mr. Mana could no longer maintain eye contact, his guilt and shame apparent for all to see. 

"And I know about your idiot son always constantly trying to guilt trip my granddaughter Ranran into sharing her wagyu beef bento I ordered for her. It was a lucky thing she was as quick-witted as  her mother to notice your son's schemes, otherwise, the consequences could have been much worse for her. Judging what we are dealing with, involving the emergency funds situation and whoever tipped us about the hotel situation...I am guessing, Ranran must have told that brat of your son off, otherwise, why would all of you be here demanding we foot the bill for all of your children's accommodation regarding the serial killer situation!? "

Everything fell into an uncomfortable silence as the matriarch's words hung in the air. The revelations about Mr. Mana Muryoku's past involvement and the accusations regarding his son's behaviour left everyone stunned. The weight of the truth and the matriarch's unwavering determination began to sink in.

"Mr Mana," it was the patriarch's turn to speak, "I know you lost your wife recently, and your son is having a very difficult time, which is why he started to spread false stories about others to seek out attention. But you can't keep justifying every single time that 'he is a 6-year-old boy who lost his mother', or 'he is still young, give him time' as an excuse to do all those things! Do you want the same thing to happen to him, like your teenage brother!?"

Mr. Mana, visibly shaken and unable to find words to defend himself, lowered his gaze. The other parents in the room shifted uncomfortably, their anger now mixed with a sense of embarrassment and guilt.

The matriarch, fueled by her frustration and the need to protect her family, continued to address the room with unwavering resolve. "I will not stand by and let you blame my granddaughter for your own children's misbehaviour. It is clear to me now that some of you have ulterior motives and are using this situation as an opportunity to exploit us and shift the blame onto our family. Well, I won't allow it."

She turned to her husband, who had been silently observing the unfolding confrontation and locked eyes with him. It was a silent exchange, but one filled with understanding and unwavering support. 

"Mr Mana," The patriarch of the Kudo family announced, "Shinichi...our grandson, called us earlier, did you know that he told me recently....your precious son led 10 other children into the abandoned warehouse, despite his warning them not to when he mentioned the killer is living there?"

The revelation hit the room like a bolt of lightning, causing a collective gasp among those present. The matriarch's eyes widened in disbelief as she turned her gaze back to Mr Mana, awaiting his response.

Mr Mana's face paled even further, his guilt and shame now overwhelming. He struggled to find words, his voice barely a whisper. "I... I didn't know. I thought he was just... I never imagined he would... I'm so sorry."

"No, you are not sorry!" The patriarch gritted his teeth in anger, "You kept using your tragedy regarding your brother, as well as the death of your wife as an excuse to enable your son to constantly harass children of wealthy backgrounds because my wife defended the wrong person! And yes, my wife and I were at fault for defending the wrong person, but you can't go about harassing the granddaughter, just because her mother was the whistleblower who exposed most of your children's wrongdoings! It doesn't work that way!"

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Mr Mana's actions and the consequences they had brought to light settling upon everyone present. The matriarch's frustration and the patriarch's anger hung palpably in the air.

Her words reverberated through the room, the weight of her emotions palpable. The matriarch continued, her voice filled with conviction, "Also, my daughter-in-law Irene....don't you all dare to speak another filth of word about her being the mistress or anything like that! She is family, and I will defend her just as I would defend any of my children."

The matriarch's words hung in the air, challenging the father and anyone else who doubted her intentions. She had grown tired of the judgments and prejudices that had plagued their family for far too long.

"Mr Mana," The elderly woman confronts him, "If my grandchildren die because of your son's careless actions with the 10 other children, mark my words, my ex-husband and I decided that we will both sue all of your families till you all go broke and penniless!"

By now, he was trembling in fear, "You wouldn't dare!"

The matriarch's eyes narrowed as she locked gazes with Mr Mana, her voice firm and resolute. "Oh, believe me, Mr Mana, had you been Irene way back when we were busy hating on each other, she would've told you all of the things I was capable of...that is probably where my granddaughter inherited this talent from me!"

The matriarch's gaze remained unwavering as she continued, her voice carrying a mix of warning and determination. "Including the parents of the 10 children who came with your son...I will add their names to the lawsuit!"

And this threat was enough to send a chill through the hearts of those present. Mr Mana, visibly shaken by the matriarch's resolve, struggled to find a response. Finally, he managed to stammer, "You... you can't do that. It was an accident. My son didn't mean for any harm to come to those children."

"Oh? So you who led the parents here to extort money from my family, just so to protect your children from the serial killer isn't an accident then?" The woman taunted while her expression remained stern, her voice filled with authority. "Just because the school refuse to fork out more money, doesn't mean you have the right to beg from us like squatters!"

Feeling cornered and exposed, Mr Mana's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment, anger, and fear. He struggled to find words to defend himself, including his own son's, but the matriarch's piercing gaze held him captive.

The matriarch's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, her tone unwavering. "You orchestrated this whole situation, Mr. Mana. You exploited the tragedy that struck my family and everyone else's in this neighbourhood, and manipulated the parents into demanding money from my family! You used their grief and fear for your own gain. And now, you stand here, trying to justify it as an accident?"

She took a step forward, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Let me make something very clear to you, Mr. Mana. I will not allow you to continue tarnishing the name and integrity of my family. I will protect the grandchildren and their well-being with everything I have. If you or anyone else tries to harm them or drag them into this web of lies and deceit, there are other things I am capable of besides legal actions in store."

With her final words, the matriarch turned away, "We just...I am scared....that my son and the others will be killed by that serial killer on the island. And the school....they refuse to help us....what other choice do we have....."

 Suddenly, Mr Mana's knees met the floor, and he began to sob uncontrollably, and so did the other parents who came with him in front of their mansion.

The matriarch paused at the sound of Mr Mana's sobs, her heart softening despite her resolve.

Seeing this sobbing scene brought bad painful memories to the matriarch.

...................................................................

"Please let me see my granddaughter!"

The matriarch back then was on her knees on some expensive carpet she could not remember, in some lavish office filled with tears. She begged and pleaded, her voice filled with desperation and sorrow. The memories of her past pain resurfaced 2 years ago, overwhelming her at that moment.

The woman sitting behind the large mahogany desk seemed unmoved by her pleas, she appeared to be in a position of power and maintained a stern expression as the matriarch pleaded for the opportunity to see her granddaughter. Her face remained impassive, giving away no hint of her emotions or intentions. It was clear that she held control over the situation, and her response would determine the matriarch's fate.

"No," The woman finally spoke, her voice cold and detached. "My great-granddaughter is happier in the U.K, why should her entire family move back to Japan with you? Especially after what you did to my granddaughter!?"

She continued, her voice filled with sincerity, "I know that I cannot erase the pain that was caused, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to mend it!"

"You must be joking!" The woman slams the table before her, making the other woman flinch, "When you dated my son at that time and ditch him aside to marry your current husband for financial security, did you see how devastated he was!?"

The matriarch's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to the woman's words, feeling the weight of her past mistakes crashing down upon her. She knew deep down that her choices had caused pain and heartache, not only for the woman's son but for her own family as well.

"You...you were right," the matriarch choked out, her voice filled with remorse. "But, you too stated that I was too unfit to be with him when we talked about marriage, remember?"

The woman's stern expression softened slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing her face, but she remained firm. "You just wanted Ranran, because you couldn't have the daughter you wanted! Why don't you just go back to where you belong, where you have that Shinichi grandson of yours!" 

Tears streamed down the matriarch's face as she struggled to find the right words, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "I...I cannot change the past, and I cannot undo the pain I have caused. But I am willing to do whatever it takes to make amends and rebuild what has been broken." She pleaded with the woman, her voice filled with genuine remorse. "Please, I beg you to give me a chance to be a part of my granddaughter's life. I want to make things right, to be there for her, to show her the love and care that I failed to show to my own children."

But the woman before her remained indifferent, dismissing her with a wave of her hand. "You have no right to see her," he said coldly. "You've caused enough trouble already. It's best if you stay away. And it would be better...Ranran never knows you."

..............................................

At that time, she couldn't understand why she was being punished, why she was being denied the chance to be a part of her granddaughter's life. 

It took tons of pleading before that woman finally agreed, but that was before she learned that other woman was dying of a terminal illness.

For a long time, the matriarch's mind was flooded with questions, doubts, and regrets. She wondered if she had made the wrong choices and if she had failed as a mother and a grandmother.

She understood the depth of fear and desperation that had driven him and the other parents to their actions. The weight of the situation and the looming threat of the serial killer on the island had taken their toll on everyone's emotions.

Slowly, the matriarch turned back towards Mr Mana and the other parents, her expression filled with a mix of compassion and understanding. She approached them, her footsteps measured and gentle, and knelt down beside Mr Mana.

Her voice was firm as she spoke, "I can't give you the money to send your children back to the hotel where Ranran and Shinichi are living in. If I had done so, other parents in the future might follow suit should such situations happen. Instead," She flip one index finger, "I have a better suggestion that will get the kids to be checked into that hotel."

The matriarch paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the tear-stained faces of the parents who were still sobbing in despair. She knew she had to offer a solution that would provide both safety and peace of mind for everyone involved.

"In light of the circumstances and the concerns for your children's safety," she continued, her voice steady, "We are to do this once and for all....."