Chapter 1403 Like a Candle at Its End
'Who is this Octavia anyway? Could it be the same Octavia who ran away from her wedding all those years ago?' Richard wondered. 'But that's so long ago. If Jason doesn't love Cora, why do they have three children together?'
Jason continued coughing, staring vacantly out the window. In just a short time, he seemed to have withered away completely, like a candle burning its last wick.
"Richard, I need you to look into your sister's situation. If... if by some miracle she's still alive, I want all the Smith family shares to go to her. I want her to live the rest of her life without financial worries, I want her to—"
"Dad, please, try to stay calm."
Jason looked up at him. "Aren't you resentful?"
With two sons getting none of the shares, only other assets, it seemed unfair. In their social circle, daughters were typically valued primarily for advantageous marriages. Now Jason wanted to leave his shares to someone who might not even be alive. How could Richard not feel resentful?
"I just want you to be well, and for my sister to be well too. But you know the chances of her being alive are practically non-existent."
"Go speak with Raymond. He mentioned before that Victor might be compromised. As much as I trust Dr. Barnes, in this matter, I actually hope he is compromised. Only if he's been dishonest could the paternity test be false, which means my daughter might still be alive."
Richard placed a reassuring hand on his father's back. "Alright, I'll go see him right away."
Jason felt somewhat comforted, though his mouth tasted of blood.
Richard was about to offer more words of comfort when his phone rang. It was Lawrence.
He answered, and Lawrence's voice came through. "Richard, Tessa is dying. Her last wish is to see her father."
Richard's pupils constricted in shock. "What do you mean, she's dying?"
Lawrence leaned painfully against the hospital corridor wall. This was the doctor's recent conclusion. Tessa had no will to live and kept saying she wanted to see Jason one last time.
"The doctors say she's holding on by a thread, just to see Father. I hope he'll agree to see her. I'll bring Tessa home myself."
"Lawrence!"
Richard felt angry. His father's health was already poor—what if seeing Tessa caused too much emotional distress?
"Richard, don't argue with me. Just ask Father if he's willing to see Tessa one last time."
Richard clenched his jaw, glancing at Jason's frail form on the bed. "Lawrence, I can't agree to this."
"Then I'll bring Tessa over directly."
Lawrence was in no mood to negotiate. The news of Tessa's impending death had shattered his composure.
Richard rubbed his temples in frustration. What a mess this was.
He ended the call and heard Jason ask, "What did Lawrence say?"
"Dad, Lawrence says my sister is dying and wants to see you."
"She's not your sister. She might be the one responsible for your real sister's death."
Just as he finished speaking, the door swung open. Cora fell to her knees at the threshold.
"Please see Tessa. I'm begging you. She's been with me all these years. If you won't see her, I'll kill myself!" She pulled out a dagger and held it to her throat.
Jason's expression changed instantly. He still needed to investigate Cora's involvement.
In all these years, Cora had never slipped up or contacted any suspicious individuals. How had she switched places with Octavia? And how many times had the switch occurred?
Cora couldn't die. Not now.
"I'll... I'll see her," Jason conceded.
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