Chapter 404 The One Who Dared 48 Pearls

Autumn beamed. “That’s because you didn’t see how amazing Sierra was last night.”

Before she could finish, Azure held up his hands in surrender. “I’m begging you, stop! You’ve already told us ten times since midnight.”

She had been gushing about Sierra’s feat all night, leaving the rest of them no choice but to endure the enthusiastic barrage.

Erwin, standing nearby with a stern expression, spoke up. “How did you even think to increase the dosage? Was it just a random decision, or did you have a reason?”

“Of course I had a reason.”

Sierra’s expression turned serious. “Look at this data.”

She pulled up some previous experimental figures. “I noticed this number was unusually low, so I thought—what if raising it could neutralize the effect?”

The group finally focused on the data, and Erwin’s face fell. He’d seen that number too, but it had never occurred to him to pursue that angle.

And even if it had, he doubted he’d have had the nerve to act on it.

Increasing that number would have amplified the other variables exponentially. No one would’ve dared attempt it–except Sierra.

Erwin had always felt a bit of resentment toward Sierra, convinced she wasn’t all that much better than the rest of them. But this time, he was completely convinced. He muttered awkwardly, “You’re better than me.”

“No.”

Sierra shook her head. “Each of you has your own strengths. Autumn has the steadiest hands. Your data is always the most precise. Azure is great at adapting on the fly. I just like taking unconventional approaches. We all bring something different to the table. And without all the foundational data you guys collected, I wouldn’t have succeeded yesterday. No one is more or less important.”

Her words were genuine. The others could tell–and that made them feel even more at ease.

Autumn, emboldened, said with a grin, “Sierra, I’m calling it now–you’re going to surpass Mr. Yaeger one day!”

Johnathan was speechless.

I’m still here, you know. Do you guys have to say that right in front of me?

The group laughed. They knew both Sierra and Johnathan needed rest, so they didn’t linger. Before leaving, Autumn assured Sierra that she would keep a close eye on Dora’s recovery.

Once the room was quiet again, Johnathan reached over and absentmindedly toyed with Sierra’s hair. His tone was light, but his eyes were thoughtful.

“What am I going to do? You’re becoming so amazing that the whole world’s starting to see it. If I don’t step up, you’re going to leave me in the dust.”

Sierra gave him a playful scold. “Mr. Yaeger, you’re laying it on a bit thick.”

Johnathan chuckled but said no more. Deep down, he knew he wasn’t exaggerating.

Sierra probably didn’t think what she’d done was all that special. She had no idea how much her reputation had grown in the industry.

Truth be told, even if it had been him in her position last night, he wasn’t sure he’d have done better. He’d seen that data too–he understood every fluctuation–but it hadn’t occurred to him to increase the dosage, much less double it.

But Sierra had seen it. And she’d acted. Decisively.

At some point, the girl he used to protect had grown into a towering tree–one that no longer needed his constant shelter.

It left him with complicated feelings.

Now, more than anything, he wondered: What would the Xander family think if they saw this?

They had cast aside a shining pearl as if it were trash. If they knew now what they’d lost, they’d be sick with regret.

Johnathan had never claimed to be a good person. He was known for holding grudges–and those who had hurt Sierra were at the very top of his list.

So while Sierra rested, he had someone quietly spread the word–amplified, of course–about Sierra’s brilliance, making sure the Xander family heard every detail.

The one who cared most about the field was Evan. Naturally, he heard the news first.

A trace of bitterness flickered in his eyes. Sierra had risen to a level far beyond anything they could ever reach.

Because of his involvement in illegal experiments, he was already banned from working in the field. He now worked at a pharmaceutical company doing tasks he hated just to make a living–and support his mother.

Soon, word reached Franklin and Bradley in prison.

Bradley sat in silence for a long time.

Franklin, on the other hand, couldn’t hold back his tears.

They’d already come to regret their past. They used to scoff at the fact Sierra had spent three years in prison, thinking it meant nothing.

But now that they were living it themselves, they finally understood–just how unbearable that truly was.