Chapter 261: No More Lies

Jonathan didn’t answer Sierra the whole way home. It wasn’t that he couldn’t have simply said something to dismiss her; with Sierra, he didn’t want to lie—not even a little. He finally spoke only after they exited the car.

“I can’t answer you yet. Give me a little more time.”

Sierra wasn’t disappointed at all. In fact, she smiled, genuinely happy.

“Okay!”

She’d much rather hear that than be lied to. And with that, the distance between them seemed to shrink again—bit by bit.

While they were caught up in their moment, Shane had already obtained the information he wanted about the car’s owner.

“Jonathan. I knew it.”

He hadn’t been sure at the time—he’d just had a gut feeling. He still hadn’t figured out exactly who Jonathan was. That in itself was… strange. In Albanos, the number of people he couldn't investigate could be counted on one hand. He just didn’t know yet which hand Jonathan belonged to.

He also learned that Sierra was now attending North Salem University.

“Still as clueless as ever.”

His voice was cold, his expression full of disdain. She’d said she didn’t want to move, but now, for Jonathan, she’d changed her mind. How many times had she learned the hard way, and still hadn’t caught on? Could someone like Jonathan really be trusted with her future?

He was about to do something about it when Jade called him into the study.

“I just heard something. The Wynn family is about to announce their new family head.”

Jade had barely received the news and was already planning ahead.

“I’ll find a way to get us an invitation. You’re going with me.”

“Not interested.”

Shane dismissed it without hesitation. “Ask someone else.”

Jade’s face darkened. “How long are you going to keep this up?”

“I haven’t even brought up what happened in Maviston yet.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

Shane’s voice turned mocking. “The Richardson family really is loyal to you. Took the fall for everything without saying a word.”

“You little bastard! What nonsense are you spewing? What does the Richardson family’s business have to do with me?”

Jade slammed the desk with his hand.

“Don’t forget—you’re still a Gong. People show you respect for a reason. I just don’t get it. Even if the Goodman family falls, what good does it do you? What a joke. People really do need some sort of entertainment in life, huh?”

“Enough. Stop messing around.”

“What happened in Maviston was already difficult enough to cover up. It didn’t blow back on you because I took care of it. Don’t start stirring things up again.”

Shane let out a short laugh, like he’d heard the dumbest thing ever. Who’s the one messing around here, really?

That whole mess in Maviston had caused such a stir, and in the end, it was brushed aside with a slap on the wrist for a few small players. They both knew who had pulled those strings.

Jade didn’t want to argue anymore. He turned back to analyzing the current situation.

“I’ve moved up again recently, but let’s be honest—I still don’t have a real foundation. It’s like walking on a tightrope. The Wynn family, you know what kind of weight they carry. Centuries of legacy. We can’t even begin to compare. If we could get their support, it would change everything for the Goodman family. I’m getting old, Shane. One day, this family will be yours. You need to grow up.”

“I said I’m not interested.”

Shane stood up lazily.

“Uncle, I’m just your nephew. Don’t put all your hopes on me.”

“Why don’t you hurry up and have a kid yourself?”

He dropped the words without the slightest care, completely ignoring the ugly look on Jade’s face as he strolled out.

“Ungrateful brat!”

Jade wanted to put a bullet through him—but all he could do was think about it. He’d been injured years ago. He could never have children again. If not for that, he wouldn’t have wasted so much effort on Shane.

That kid’s personality…

Knowing brute force wouldn’t work, Jade pulled out a stack of reports—every record of what Shane had done in Maviston during those three years. Eventually, his gaze landed on one name in particular.

Sierra.

Others might not notice anything. But he knew Shane too well. It looked like Shane was tormenting her, but in reality, he was protecting her. If not for Shane, Sierra would have died in prison a long time ago.