Chapter 434 The Final Lie

Sierra said nothing. Of course, she knew why Johnathan had done it.

He didn’t want her to see him that way. But he was being selfish—who was he to make that choice for her?

Taking a deep breath, she turned to the old man and said, “I developed the drug. I know its effects better than anyone. If I’m by his side, I can make the most accurate calls in real-time.”

Her words clearly stirred something in Wayne, but in the end, he still shook his head.

“My grandson rarely asks me for anything. Today, he did. I gave him my word–and I intend to keep it.”

Sierra didn’t want to hear any of it, but Wayne refused to give in.

Time dragged on. Sierra stopped pleading. She just stood there, staring at the lab doors without blinking.

She had no idea what was happening inside. The drug had never even gone through real testing—everything was theoretical.

Then, finally, the doors opened. The butler stepped out.

Sierra and Wayne looked up at once.

The butler shook his head. “Sir… Mr. Simon didn’t make it.”

Like a thunderclap, Sierra felt something inside her collapse. She shoved the guards aside and ran in.

They tried to stop her, but Wayne called out, “Let her go.”

There was no point in holding her back now.

Wayne looked more worn than ever. He let out a long sigh. He was tired—so very tired. But with the Wynn family on the brink of collapse, he didn’t have the luxury of rest.

Inside the lab, the professors were filing out, each of them wearing a face full of regret.

They had all been stunned when Johnathan volunteered to be the test subject.

Seeing Sierra, a few of them tried to say something, but no words came out. What comfort could they offer? Anything they said would sound hollow.

One of them finally forced out, "He didn't suffer… at least, not that we could tell.”

Sierra didn’t respond. She quietly stepped into the lab.

At the center of the room was a bed, used for experiments. Johnathan lay there, still and silent.

His expression was peaceful—he looked as if he were merely asleep.

Sierra walked up to him slowly. She didn’t speak. She just stared at him for a long, long time.

Everyone else quietly left the room, giving them their space.

“Mr. Yaeger… you lied to me again. You said we were going to get married. You lied. You’re a liar. That means I don’t have to keep my promise either, right?”

Sierra suddenly let out a soft laugh, and then the tears came pouring down. Her voice cracked as she screamed,

“You’re such a liar! When Grandma died, she left me in your care, and you promised you’d take care of me. Before we came to Capital City, you said you’d be with me. When I got hurt, you said you’d always protect me. You said all those things–why don’t they count anymore? You liar!”

Her anger broke into sobs as she collapsed onto him, her body shaking with grief.

He hadn’t even let her say goodbye.

He was the worst. Absolutely the worst.

They’d made a promise. They were supposed to face everything together.

Outside, Chase arrived just in time to hear her crying. His steps faltered, and pain twisted across his face.

So it really happened.

His son hadn’t survived.

Chase could no longer hold himself up. He sank to the ground, completely defeated.

He had failed to protect Wendy all those years ago. And now, he had failed Johnathan too.

Everyone else could break down. Everyone else could fall apart. But Wayne could not.

He had already pulled himself together. Or perhaps he had been prepared for this all along. He calmly started making arrangements.

“Bring Sierra out. Johnathan can’t stay in there. Pick a day. He should be laid to rest soon.”

At those words, Chase exploded.

“Laid to rest? Dad–how the hell is he supposed to rest in peace?”

“That’s my son!” he cried out, the once-imposing figure now completely shattered.

While chaos broke out outside, Sierra heard none of it. To her, there was only Johnathan.

She kissed his lips gently and whispered, “It’s too noisy out there. You don’t like that, do you? I’ll take you away.”

“Let’s go somewhere you like.”

She wheeled over his chair, ready to lift him onto it—but then she saw it.

Johnathan’s fingers had trembled—just barely, but unmistakably.