Chapter 1420 Already a Discarded Pawn
"Lawrence, it's midnight. Why aren't you home with me? I'm scared... Are you leaving me?" Tessa's voice quivered through the phone.
Lawrence massaged his temple. "I'm sitting with my father. I'll be back later."
Her tone grew cautious. "Did Richard tell you anything?"
She was wondering if they knew about Selena's identity. Why else would Richard and Raymond have rushed to rescue her with such urgency? If Lawrence discovered the truth, would he switch allegiances?
"He didn't say anything. Don't overthink this, Tessa."
"Will you always stand by me, Lawrence?"
He frowned, unsure how to answer.
"Between you and Selena, I'll always choose you, Tessa. I know tonight wasn't enough to satisfy you. Don't worry—I'll find another opportunity."
Despite his reassurance, anxiety gnawed at her. "Alright. I trust you, Lawrence."
The moment she hung up, she called him—the man behind it all.
"Do Richard and the others know about Selena's identity?"
She had sacrificed so much to reach this point. If Selena's true identity came to light now, and Lawrence defended her, what had all Tessa's efforts been for?
Little did she know, in the man's eyes, she was already a discarded pawn. And he never wasted words on pawns.
"I don't know," was all he said before ending the call.
His mask lay on the marble table beside him. He drummed his fingers against the surface, brow furrowed in displeasure.
Paul had recovered too quickly. Silver Bay City was Paul's territory, so it made sense he'd uncover things, but still, he was becoming a real obstacle.
As he rubbed his forehead, Atlas spoke from nearby.
"Zaid, once our identities were questioned, we were bound to lose control in Silver Bay City. The Adams family is formidable—don't worry too much."
"I know. He's just too lucky. If Walter hadn't found him, Paul wouldn't exist in this world."
Atlas sat across from him, chin resting on his palm. "I've always wondered about your endgame. If you wanted BK, it's been within our grasp for some time. Why all this elaborate maneuvering, creating so many complications—even allowing those two to conceive a child?"
Zaid's fingers traced the contours of his mask. After a pause, he said, "Barbara should never have taken me in. I just want her to learn that good deeds don't always yield good results."
Atlas raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "I doubt that's your true motivation. Even if you told me you simply wanted to make Selena miserable, I'd find that more believable. We have grander plans, Zaid. Don't toy with them too long, or our associates will grow impatient."
"Understood."
They fell silent. A fanatical gleam for power flickered in Zaid's eyes. He needed to climb higher—much higher. BK was nothing; the research facility was his ultimate goal.
His lips curled into a smile before his expression returned to its usual impassivity.
At Smith Villa, Lawrence had just ended his call when he noticed Jason's eyes slowly opening, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Lawrence felt a jolt and grabbed his father's hand. "Father? Do you want to tell me something?"
A single tear escaped Jason's eye and disappeared into the pillow. Lawrence's heart ached; he had never seen his stern father look so vulnerable.
Jason's unresolved grief was for Layla. Lawrence had to uncover the truth about her.
"Father, don't worry. I'll return to Silver Bay City to investigate as soon as possible."
But Jason's eyes remained open for only seconds before closing again. If Lawrence hadn't witnessed it himself, he might have thought he'd imagined it.
His gaze drifted downward. Beneath the covers, Jason's hand clutched a small photograph no larger than his palm.
Lawrence tried to take it, but Jason's grip was firm—as if in a moment of clarity, he'd desperately held onto his most precious possession.
Only when that strength finally ebbed did Lawrence manage to retrieve the photo. It showed a younger Jason standing beside a beautiful woman.
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