Chapter 380 Half Truths and Hollow Trust
Once they were finally home, Jonathan felt himself begin to relax. The past few days had been anything but easyโhis nerves had been stretched taut the entire time.
He hadnโt shown himself at all, keeping up the ruse. But every moment, heโd been on edge, afraid something might go wrong. Most of all, heโd been consumed by thoughts of Sierraโs safety.
And while heโd been keeping watch, another thought kept gnawing at himโWhy had Quinn done all of this?
Now that it was confirmed Quinn truly had problems, Jonathan didnโt feel any relief. If anything, more questions had emerged.
He couldnโt help but wonder what role Wayne had played in all this.
His mother had once adored Quinnโso much so that sheโd wanted to make her a goddaughter. But Wayne had firmly opposed it from the start.
At the time, Jonathan thought Wayne was being too harsh. But looking back nowโฆ Had Wayne already sensed something was off?
Still, if he had, why hadnโt he ever warned him?
Even when Quinn had supposedly โfallen ill,โ it was Wayne who offered to take her in. Was it to keep her under surveillanceโor was there another reason?
Jonathan couldnโt stop himself from overthinking it.
No one in the Wynn family was a fool. Many had tried to sow discord between him and Chaseโs family, hoping to help Jose become the next head of the family. Jonathan had seen through all of that.
But now he had to wonderโwere those same people involved in Quinnโs schemes, too?
He didnโt have the answers yet.
While he was lost in thought, a pair of slender, strong fingers began to gently massage his temples, trying to ease his tension.
โStop thinking so much. Just rest for a while,โ Sierra said softly, her tone full of concern.
Jonathan had too much on his shoulders. He was always thinking ahead, always guarding against threats.
Quinnโs betrayal had hit him hard. He hadnโt said much, just brushed over it onceโbut Sierra could still feel how disappointed he was.
Jonathan had truly treated Quinn like family. And yet, from beginning to end, she had only ever manipulated him.
โAlright,โ Jonathan murmured, finally relaxing. He leaned back on the couch, tilting his head to expose his throatโsomething he only ever did around Sierra.
Meanwhile, at the Wynn estate, Wayne received the news.
โIโd hoped sheโd grown after all these years,โ he sighed. โBut sheโs still the same.โ
Then he added, โForget it. A woman that vicious doesnโt deserve to be the Wynn familyโs matriarch.โ
Wayne sighed again and asked, โAnd Jonathan? Is he disappointed?โ
Edmund didnโt answerโhe simply lowered his head. He knew this was one of those questions that didnโt require a reply.
As expected, Wayne spoke again. โItโs good for him to see the truth. Heโs still young.โ
Then he added, โGet ready. Jonathan will probably be coming over soon.โ
Wayne thought he knew his grandson well. But surprisingly, two or three days passed with no sign of Jonathan. Eventually...
Chapter 380 Half Truths and Hollow Trust
Jonathan looked at him and said, โGrandfather, do you really think thatโs an honest question?โ
Wayne sighed. โI thought she had changed over the years. But I guess notโฆโ
So heโd known all along. And yet, heโd never said a word. Jonathan couldnโt help but feel a strange mix of amusement and bitterness.
โWhen did you first realize?โ he asked quietly.
Wayne looked at him. โI didnโt know exactly what she was up to. I just always felt she wasnโt as innocent as she seemed.โ
He continued, โAnd later, I noticed she was eyeing the position of matriarch. Thatโs when I sent her overseas. I didnโt expect you to end up in the same place by accident.โ
Before Jonathan could respond, Wayne added, โI never said anything about her because I had no proofโjust a feeling that she wasnโt pure of heart. And even if I had spoken up, you wouldnโt have listened.โ
Back then, their grandfatherโgrandson relationship had been strained. Jonathan had been determined to go after Jose, and Wayne had done all he could to stop him.
That was when Jonathan left in anger.
Jonathan didnโt reveal what he thought of Wayneโs explanation. He simply rubbed his fingertips together, then asked casually, โSo why did you have her stay with you this time?โ
โWhen youโre old, you get soft,โ Wayne replied easily. โI figured she had it rough. I thought Iโd help if I could. Besides, I was worried she might do something reckless. I figured sheโd be safer under my watchโbut I was wrong.โ
Jonathan immediately lost any desire to keep talking. Even now, when they were finally sitting face to face, everything between them was still half-truthsโhalf-spoken thoughts wrapped in ambiguity.
What was real? What was false?
He couldnโt tell anymore.