Chapter 252: A Deal with the Devil

“Why?” Sierra couldn’t help but ask. She had always believed he had a good relationship with his grandfather.

“When I go back there, I stop being Jonathan Yeager,” Jonathan murmured against her ear. Sierra could hear the frustration in his voice. She reached up, gently running her hand along his back in comfort. Now she understood why Jonathan never talked about his family. He didn’t just dislike them—he rejected everything about them.

“Do you really want to take over the family business?” Sierra asked again. Jonathan released her, studying her for a moment before speaking in a low voice. Wanting to do something and having to do something are two different things. But what belongs to me… even if I don’t want it, I won’t let anyone else have it. What’s mine is mine. Sierra, do you understand?”

Sierra didn’t understand. But she could feel the intensity of his possessiveness in his words. She didn’t know what he had been through, so she had no right to judge. At this moment, she simply chose to stand by his side.

The next day, Sierra went to North Salem University, while Jonathan returned to the Wynn estate. The massive estate was empty, save for Wayne.

“Come take a walk with me,” Wayne said, looking cheerful. Jonathan glanced outside. The weather was pleasant; he had no reason to refuse. They strolled along the mountainside paths as Wayne spoke.

“The land value in Capital City keeps rising. Do you know how many people envy the fact that the Wynn family owns an entire mountainside?” Wayne sighed, hands clasped behind his back. “The Wynn family has been passed down for nine generations. You would be the tenth.” Then he looked at Jonathan, his eyes sharp. “But Jonathan… can I trust you to take over?”

He wanted reassurance. But Jonathan, as always, refused to give it.

“You can give it to someone else.”

Wayne snorted, narrowing his eyes. Other people might not understand Jonathan, but he did. If he truly handed the Wynn family over to someone else, the family might as well be finished.

Jonathan was the type of person who would rather destroy something than let others have it. That was precisely why Wayne had chosen him as his successor—because Jonathan had the ability to lead, and because of his extreme personality. In the past, Jonathan had been wild and out of control. Ever since he threw himself into research, he had calmed down and seemed more refined. But Wayne knew that was all for show. Only the fools in the family believed his grandson had somehow turned into a gentle and reasonable man. Still, there had been a shift in him lately.

Thinking of that, Wayne abruptly changed the subject. “The girl you brought back—she’s at North Salem University?”

Jonathan had been listening lazily, disinterested. But the moment Wayne mentioned Sierra, his face instantly darkened.

“Grandpa.”

Wayne raised his hands in surrender. “I didn’t do anything. Just asking.”

“Grandpa, you know I don’t like people meddling in my affairs.”

“I’m not meddling.” Wayne had no intention of interfering, at least not yet. It was still early; he had no desire to start a fight with his grandson before it was necessary. “But I’m old, Jonathan. More than anything, I want peace at home. You understand that, don’t you?”

Jonathan’s expression was unreadable. Even with his grandfather, they always spoke with a layer of distance between them, never addressing things directly. He cut straight to the point.

“What do you want?”

Wayne sighed, finally getting to the real issue. “For your birthday, I want you to invite your father and your brother. It’s a family occasion—it should be lively.”

Jonathan stared at Wayne for a long moment. Then, his lips curved into a mocking smile.

“Grandpa, do whatever you want.” He glanced at his watch and continued, “It’s getting late. I have things to do. I’ll visit another time.”

Without waiting for Wayne’s response, he turned and walked away, heading down the mountain. Wayne watched him go, shaking his head.

“That boy’s temper is going to be a problem,” he muttered.

The old butler, Edmund, spoke quietly. “Mr. Jonathan has always been this way.”

“Jose, though… he’s been working harder these past two years.” Wayne sighed again. But it was a shame…

Wayne closed his eyes. Just as Edmund thought he had fallen asleep, the old man murmured, “I don’t have much time left. And with things the way they are… I can’t rest easy.”