Chapter 1424 This Is Our Retribution
Lawrence studied the paper intently, as if trying to deny the information before his eyes.
Every word Richard spoke pierced his eardrums, leaving him defenseless against the truth.
This was a DNA test Richard had rushed overnight—one he had personally overseen. There was no possibility of fraud.
Selena was the long-lost daughter of the Smith family. His real sister.
Lawrence's fingertips slowly tightened around the paper, nearly crushing it into his skin.
His eyes burned as his mind struggled to process the revelation.
Richard drew a deep breath, his voice growing hoarse. "If you still choose to enable Tessa's destructive behavior, I have nothing more to say. This is our karma. We knew Selena and Raymond were meant for each other, yet we allowed Tessa to sabotage them. Who could have imagined that Selena was our actual sister? Lawrence, wouldn't you call this poetic justice?"
Richard laughed bitterly. Since last night, he'd found himself unraveling over and over.
Their actions in Silver Bay City had been foolish enough, but Lawrence had continued his vendetta against Selena after moving to Vistalia.
Had they arrived even moments later last night, Lawrence would have personally sent Selena to a watery grave.
And he would have done it all for an impostor. How tragically absurd.
Richard took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and called Tessa.
Seeing his name on her screen, Tessa hesitated briefly before answering.
Richard got straight to the point. "Tessa, what kind of spell have you cast on Lawrence that makes him blindly support you?"
Still uncertain whether Richard had discovered Selena's true identity, Tessa responded cautiously, "Richard, I thought you were calling to apologize. That kick last night nearly killed me. Don't you feel any remorse? After all these years you've doted on me."
"Tessa, I've uncovered Selena's identity, yet Lawrence still insists on bringing you home."
Tessa's initial panic at the first part of his statement quickly transformed into excitement at the second.
She exclaimed, "Richard, are you serious?"
"Yes. Even Mom is taking your side. Everyone now knows Selena is the true Smith daughter, yet they still want you back. But I'll never accept you. You disgust me."
Tessa's lips curved into a smile, thinking, 'Who do you think you are? Lawrence holds the majority of Smith family shares. He's the one who calls the shots.'
"Tessa, I know you orchestrated everything deliberately. You may fool Lawrence and Mother, but not me."
"Richard, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"It doesn't matter if you play dumb. Just know that your bloodline will never be as noble as Selena's. You're nothing but a foundling we brought home. Your video is circulating throughout our social circle now. Selena will become the exalted daughter of the Smith family, while you remain nothing—just a maggot from the gutter!"
These final words shattered Tessa's composure, unleashing a flood of emotion.
She had sacrificed too much. Her plan to eliminate Selena had failed, and the woman had survived. Who wouldn't lose their mind in such circumstances?
Combined with Lawrence's absence last night, her emotions spiraled beyond control.
She snapped, "Richard, who do you think you are? So what if Selena comes back? If Lawrence and Mother don't accept her, she's nothing. With one word from me, Lawrence will continue targeting her. And at this point, would Selena even want to acknowledge you all? I know her temperament—she's vindictive."
"Once she learns Lawrence nearly killed her multiple times, she'll never return to Smith Villa. She'll find you all repulsive. Besides, back in Silver Bay City, both of you helped me separate her from Raymond. That bitch is now lovey-dovey with Raymond—why would she return to Smith Villa to suffer?"
The raw truth hung in the air.
It confirmed she had known Selena's identity all along and had merely been manipulating Lawrence.
"Tessa, after telling me all this, aren't you afraid I'll inform Lawrence?"
"Richard, don't you understand? One tear from me, and Lawrence does whatever I want. Even his own brother takes a back seat. Your position in his heart will never compare to mine."
When Richard challenged her, Tessa grew even more smug, convinced he was merely calling to test her out of frustration.
With Lawrence about to bring her back to Smith Villa, she had no reason to fear Richard.
Having dropped all pretenses, there was no need to maintain the charade.
What she didn't realize was that Richard had put the call on speakerphone.
Every word Tessa uttered was heard by everyone in the room.
Without another word, Richard ended the call and placed the phone in Lawrence's palm.
Nothing more needed to be said. If Lawrence couldn't wake up now, he was unworthy of the Smith name.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
