Chapter 1367 Lawrence's Unyielding Indulgence
After a long silence, Lawrence finally spoke in a strained voice, "Father's version might not be the whole truth."
"Lawrence, I believe Dad," Richard countered. "When I was heading to Silver Bay City, he specifically asked me to integrate into those social circles. I found it strange at the time, but now I realize he probably hoped I'd gather information about Layla. Dad entrusted this matter to Victor, and they've both reached the same conclusion. They can't both be wrong."
Richard was more clear-headed than Lawrence, and he'd never particularly warmed to Tessa.
"Lawrence, there's nothing wrong with caring for family, but Tessa's behavior in Silver Bay City was completely inappropriate. Raymond and Selena were clearly a couple, yet she intervened—and you helped her. Imagine if the roles were reversed: if Selena had tried to sabotage Tessa's relationship with Raymond, wouldn't you have considered that despicable? Affection has limits. Tonight, she used you to cause Layla's death, and it happened because you've repeatedly enabled her behavior."
Lawrence's expression darkened as he found himself unable to argue.
Richard glanced at the unconscious Tessa. "The only reason I'm not demanding she pay for Layla's death is out of respect for our twenty years together. Lawrence, you've always been my role model. The decision is yours now."
With that, Richard left. He couldn't possibly stay here. He'd come home hoping for a family dinner, only to walk into this nightmare.
He wasn't a fool. If Jason had kept this truth from them for so many years, he must have been wary of someone. With all the enemies the Smith family had accumulated, they were likely facing another battle ahead.
Lawrence stood motionless, initially intending to walk past Tessa and leave. After a few steps, though, he felt a painful tightening in his chest.
After twenty years of indulging someone, it was unexpectedly difficult to harden his heart against her. This had nothing to do with affection—it was simply habit.
He stopped, and after a moment told the security personnel, "Take her to a hospital. Give her some money."
He couldn't bring himself to do more without feeling conflicted.
Lowering his gaze, he quickly departed.
He needed to know if Jason's claims were true. Had Layla really died? Was she truly his biological sister?
He had to investigate.
By evening the next day, Raymond had returned to Vistalia.
He'd kept his promise and handed over Walter's brother. Before leaving, Walter had given him a long, meaningful look, though ultimately he'd said nothing.
Without resting, Raymond immediately tried to contact Jason.
When his calls went unanswered, he grew worried. Last night, Jason had mentioned meeting his biological daughter, and now he couldn't be reached. Had something happened?
Raymond drove straight to the Smith estate, where he encountered Richard's car at the entrance.
Richard looked surprised. "Raymond?"
Raymond gestured toward the mansion. "Where's Mr. Smith?"
Relieved to find someone to confide in, Richard strode over and climbed into Raymond's car.
"Raymond, the things happening in the Smith family lately are beyond bizarre. Let me explain."
Richard had been bottling everything up overnight, unable to sleep, still processing how things had unraveled so dramatically.
After recounting the previous night's events, he exhaled deeply.
"Now my father's fallen ill from the shock. Lawrence has been cast out of the family. With his brooding temperament, he's off searching for answers on his own. Tessa was never truly a Smith, so no one cares where she goes. Just like that, our family has fallen apart."
Richard reached for a cigarette, his reddened eyes making him look utterly miserable.
Raymond gripped the steering wheel tightly. Layla was the Smith family's biological daughter?
He didn't believe it for a second. Yet if Victor had orchestrated all this, the plan was indeed flawless—manipulating everyone involved so perfectly that no one could identify a single flaw.
Without responding to Richard, Raymond tentatively picked up his phone and called Victor.
He expected the call to go unanswered, but surprisingly, Victor picked up. He answered, "Raymond?"
His voice carried the same gentle tone as always.
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