Chapter 1366 You Will Also Take Over the President's Position
Her eyes blazed with hatred as she frantically pleaded with Cora. "Mom, please talk to Dad. I don't want to leave you all. I'll take care of you both in your old age—just don't send me away."
Compassion clouded Cora's face as she considered intervening, but Jason's rigid demeanor made her hesitate. Something deep within warned her that defending Tessa might result in her own expulsion from the family.
With a resigned sigh, she fell silent.
Tessa looked at the powerless woman with disgust that nearly made her sick.
She feigned a pitiful tone as she said, "Mom, Lawrence—please help me, I'm begging you!"
Lawrence remained on his knees, speechless, still reeling from Jason's revelation.
It couldn't be true.
Tessa was too kind-hearted to deceive him like this.
And he couldn't possibly have caused his own sister's death.
He straightened his back, unable to utter a word.
Just then, the living room door opened as Richard entered, bewildered by the chaotic scene.
He asked, "What's going on here?"
No one offered an explanation until Jason spoke. He said, "Richard, you'll temporarily manage the Smith family shares and take over as CEO."
Richard thought he was hallucinating. He was notoriously irresponsible, while Lawrence had been running the company brilliantly. What had triggered Jason's decision?
Having just returned from Silver Bay City, he was completely out of the loop.
Richard's eyes widened. "Dad, you're joking, right?"
But Jason's expression was deadly serious. With Tessa restrained by two security guards and Lawrence kneeling with blood streaming down his forehead, Richard swallowed hard. The room felt like a bomb about to detonate.
Jason was the unquestionable authority in this family, and he was furious. Challenging him now would be suicide.
Richard stood frozen in the doorway until Lawrence finally spoke, "Dad, I'll investigate this matter thoroughly."
Jason's response was merciless: "Get out. You're no longer my son! The Smith family has no place for someone like you!"
Richard flinched at these words. He saw Lawrence's eyes redden.
Without another word, Lawrence rose and walked toward the exit while Tessa was escorted out by the guards.
Too afraid to remain, Richard quietly followed them out.
He caught up with Lawrence and asked, "Lawrence, what happened? Why is Dad so furious?"
Lawrence paused and explained how Layla was the true Smith daughter and how he had inadvertently caused her death.
Richard stood stunned, his mind racing.
"Lawrence, wasn't Layla that woman Raymond was parading around as his companion recently? She was a college student—the age doesn't match up."
Lawrence's voice was hoarse, his eyes still red. "Her age was deliberately falsified."
His life had always been smooth sailing, guided by his parents' instruction to unconditionally protect his sister. He never imagined his life would culminate in such a catastrophic mistake.
"Lawrence, please don't abandon me," Tessa clutched her chest, drenched in fearful sweat, and collapsed into hysterical sobs.
Lawrence had always been softest toward family members. Having raised Tessa as his sister for over twenty years, he instinctively moved to comfort her, but Richard pulled him back.
Richard said seriously, "Lawrence, if what Dad said is true, then Tessa is responsible for Layla's death. Layla grew up in hardship, never knowing comfort, while Tessa—a child of unknown parentage—has been treasured by our family for years. Do you really want to compound your mistakes? If Layla really died in the accident tonight, every kind act towards Tessa will keep Layla's soul from finding peace."
Lawrence froze, suddenly paralyzed with indecision.
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