Tears streamed down Lavinia''s cheeks as well.
In an effort to calm her heightened emotions, Lucian quickly intervened. "Alright, alright, I''ll get
someone on the DNA test right away. You just rest up, okay? Don’t let emotions swing too wildly;
your health is what matters most."
Lucian had spent a fortune to have Lavinia and couldn''t bear the thought of losing her in his twilight
years! He hadn’t told her about the already conducted paternity test, fearing it might overexcite her.
Lavinia''s gaze was icy, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes shimmering with tears.
"Dad, have you already done the test? I overheard you talking to thewyer about transferring all
your assets to ra."
Realizing he owed ra, Lucian had indeed instructed hiswyer to divide his assets after receiving
the paternity test results.
Seeing Lucian''s hesitation, Lavinia knew she was right. ra... was really her child!
Struggling slightly, she moved her hand to grasp ra''s, patting it reassuringly.
"I overheard you, but I thought I was mistaken back then. Since that’s the case, everything I have
should also go to ra. Just bring in thewyer."
ra waved her hands in protest. "No, no, that’s too much. I don''t need money. I get a hefty
research grant from the government every year, and my grandparents make sure I''m well-provided
for. I''m quite wealthy!"
"It should have been yours all along. I overheard Dad mentioning it. The Richardson family might
notst long. Those things are just fleeting; those are the only amends... a mother can make to
you."
Over the years, her child had grown so much. She was so beautiful, yet because of her own frail
mind, she had been unaware of her existence for so long!
Lavinia fought back her tears, refusing to cry in front of ra.
"Please take it, okay? It''s all my fault. I''m sorry for not being able to protect my baby..."
ra shook her head, burying her face in Lavinia''s palm, wetting it with tears. It was a tearful
moment but also one filled with warmth.
"I remember, you were born, but someone took you away from me. Who was that person?" Lavinia
frowned slightly, clearly unable to recall who had taken her newborn away.
"I can''t remember. There was a fire at the hospital, a huge fire. Someone helped me out, and when I
opened my eyes again, I was at home."
Lucian, witnessing her distress, felt a profound sense of sorrow. "Let’s not dwell on it if you can''t
remember. Just rest up; ra and I are here with you."
Tears welled up in Lucian''s eyes, overwhelmed by the thought that his daughter might regain her
memories.
Lavinia held onto ra''s hand, reluctant to let go, as if fearing she''d lose sight of her. Her lips
quivered slightly, wanting to say something but then hesitated.
ra, always considerate, prompted, "What do you want to say? I''m not busy these days, I''lle
and visit you."
"Could you... call me ''Mom''?"
ra looked into the eyes of the woman lying on the hospital bed. Her expression was
unexpectedly calm, yet the tears in her eyes and the trembling of her hands betrayed her emotions.
She probably feared rejection.
After all, from what ra had shared, the Schnabel family seemed nurturing. ra already had a
caring mother. Did she even need Lavinia? She had failed to protect her own child.
ra met Lucian''s hopeful gaze, knowing his health was fragile, and any unexpected mishaps with
Lavinia would be too much to bear.
She smiled and looked into Lavinia''s eyes.
"Mom, I''ve missed you a lot these past few years."
Lavinia''s face was filled with contentment. Her baby still wanted to acknowledge her. After so many
years, she, as the unfit mother, had finally found her precious child!
"To be honest, I thought it was you who didn''t want me, perhaps you had abandoned me. Especially
during those years when I was doing research in the field, I saw many such cases."
"How could we ever not want you? It''s my fault, for forgetting you! It''s all my fault!"
"Don''t say that. You''re a victim too."
No mother could ever stand by and watch her child being taken away without a fight.
Lavinia, when she nced over, had a look of tender love almost spilling from her eyes. Even
Jacob, the unreliable father, had quietly resolved many issues for ra.
"Have you seen your dad?"
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
ra nodded. "Yeah, I have. Do you want to see him?"
"Not for now. I don''t want him to see me like this."
Moreover, Lavinia wasn''t sure how to face Jacob. Their rtionship seemed tethered only by ra,
yet there was something else, aplexity that made her feel uneasy.
"I''m sorry, ra. We''ve wronged you."
"Compared to my sister, I’ve been fortunate. Noe had such a hard life; I should be grateful."
"Yes, your sister is a good girl, a real sweetheart."
Lavinia''s eyes teared up as she nodded off, her spirit fading along with her consciousness. After
exchanging a few words with ra, she drifted back to sleep.
After tucking her in, ra and Lucian exited the room.
Bowie Richardson was waiting outside. His eyes lit up at the sight of ra.
ra was tall, with a slender waist and long legs, her short hair giving her an edgy look. Her face
bore a striking resemnce to Lavinia''s but carried an additional air of nobility that was
unforgettable at first nce.
Bowie stepped forward, offering support to Lucian.
"I''ll take care of Lorne''s mess. Grandpa, I''m so sorry for the heartache. I apologize on his behalf to
both you and Aunt Lavinia, and to ra too, truly sorry!"
"It''s my failure in raising him. You handle his affairs. I''m too old for this turmoil, not to mention the
family business."
Bowie smiled apologetically, his demeanor respectful. "Grandpa, I''ll take care of everything at home.
Lorne crossed many lines you advised against; I''ll deal with it all. As for the business, I n to
transfer my shares to ra. What do you think?"
Lucian nced at him, considering. "You three should have received an equal share of my legacy. I
wouldn''t y favorites!"
Bowie shook his head, a gentle smile ying on his lips. "It''s bothpensation and a gesture of
goodwill. My own business is doing pretty well. You don''t need to worry about me, Grandpa."
Bowie and Lorne couldn''t be more different if they tried. Lorne was cunning, often resorting to
underhanded methods, something Bowie had always looked down upon with disdain.
"It’s good that you could think in such a way. Rest assured, I won’t mistreat you. You’re my
grandson, after all!"
The conversation shifted as Bowie mentioned running into Horatio at the airport.
"I had hoped to get the master to perform a ritual, but he refused. It''s a pity."
"Horatio''s in Imperial City? It must be Helen who called him over. It''s almost the anniversary of that
poor girl from the Fowler family. When I took you and Lorne in, I had Horatio do a reading for me."
Bowie was surprised to learn about Lucian''s connection with Horatio and asked curiously, "What did
the master say?"