East of Eden part 3

Steinbeck reveled that Charles and Cathy had sexual relations in chapter 11 and in chapter 30 Charles dies from some lung related illness. Charles' fortune was to be divided equally between Cathy and Adam under the circumstance that they are both still alive. Charles did only brother away and drunk himself to impudence. (pg 133) He was also uncertain if he was the one who planted the seed of life into Cathy - this justifies giving her some of is fortune in the case that Adam found out. Throughout the book Charles never really seemed to have a good relationship with anyone or anything but his alcohol. Leaving them - the closest people in his life - his fortune is like leaving them apart of him. He leaves them something that would keep him with them even after death. And the division of the money would keep them together in some way or form.