Chapter 371 A Silent Plea

Johnathan didn’t dare take it lightly. He quickly ran through everything in his mind, then shook his head after a moment of thought. “Nothing, for now.”

Even he didn’t dare speak with certainty. “If I remember anything later, I’ll let you know right away.”

Sierra reluctantly believed him. She had actually been doing a lot of thinking herself these past few days.

If she had known what kind of person Johnathan was from the start, maybe they wouldn’t have ended up together. But now, she couldn’t bear to let go.

She could even understand some of the things Johnathan had done. He had taken her to see where he and his mother used to live, shown her what he was like as a child. If nothing had happened to his mother, he definitely wouldn’t have turned out like this.

She thought about it: if she had a mother who loved her that much and then died right in front of her, she might also go mad seeking revenge. But the one who caused her death had been his own father.

Thinking about all that, Sierra’s heart softened again.

She said, “Let’s go see Dickson together after we get back.”

She hadn’t shown up for a while, and Dickson had asked about her several times already.

Johnathan let out a sigh of relief when he heard that. This meant Sierra was willing to forgive him—for now.

The weight that had been pressing on him for days finally lifted.

In his thirty years of life, this was the first time he’d ever felt something like this.

They chatted for a bit. Just as they were about to arrive, Sierra added, “I’ll keep pursuing the research. Even if it’s just for Dora.”

It was hard to judge Quinn right now, but how could a three-year-old child possibly be so calculating?

“Yeah,” Johnathan nodded. “Just be careful. Don’t let anything show.”

Sierra murmured her agreement.

The place Quinn had picked was an atmospheric local restaurant. By the time they arrived, Mateo and the others were already there.

Seeing Johnathan and Sierra walk in together, Quinn’s eyes flickered before she said, “Hey, we were just waiting on you two.”

“Dora, didn’t you have something you wanted to give Sierra?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Dora hurried over with a doll in her arms. Sierra noticed immediately—it was Dora’s favorite doll, the one she always clung to when she was staying with them.

“For you. Thank you,” Dora said, looking up at Sierra.

Seeing those big, dark eyes, Sierra couldn’t help raising a hand to gently pat her on the head. “You’re such a good girl, Dora.”

This dinner was meant to thank everyone for rescuing Dora, so naturally, that was the main topic of conversation.

Now that it was being brought up again, Quinn was far more composed, and Dora didn’t seem as afraid anymore.

While Quinn spoke, Sierra quietly watched her, noting that she didn’t show a single crack.

If this was all an act, then this woman was terrifying.

Sierra felt eyes on her. She looked over instinctively and found Dora staring straight at her.

There was something strange in Dora’s expression–something Sierra couldn’t quite put into words.

Mateo and the others were playing their part, chatting with Quinn, and didn’t notice the silent exchange between the woman and the child.

Sierra suddenly stood and said she was going to the restroom. Then, on a whim, she asked, “Dora, want to come with me?”

Quinn instinctively looked over. Dora nodded and followed Sierra out toward the restroom outside.

Quinn gave the two a glance before quickly looking away again. Everyone here was sharp–she had to stay on her toes and not give anything away.

Outside, Sierra led Dora out of the room and couldn’t help asking, “Do you have anything you want to say to me?”

Dora said nothing, just looked at her blankly.

Seeing that, Sierra let out a soft laugh. I really am overthinking this.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, she heard Dora say, “Can I stop living with Mommy and stay with you instead?”

The words came out of nowhere, but Sierra understood exactly what she meant.

Dora didn’t want to live with Quinn anymore. Instead, she wanted to stay with her—a near stranger.

“Why?” Sierra asked.

But Dora didn’t answer again.

Her silence made Sierra realize that this child wasn’t as clueless as she seemed.

She could be reached. She could be reasoned with.