Chapter 271: No Room for Reconciliation

Jonathan had never expected to assume control of the Wynn family without a fight. For days—long before the party—he’d been preparing, quietly and thoroughly. But he wasn’t ready to play all his cards just yet. Now, it was up to the Wynn family to make their move.

Still, there were people he wasn't planning to forgive. The Zach family, for one—Susie's family.

"You sure about this?" Mateo asked quietly.

Going after the Zachs meant there was no turning back. Once he made that move, there would be no more pretending; he'd officially burned that bridge with Susie.

"I should have done this a long time ago."

He'd spent years away from the capital, avoiding the mire. But now, they wouldn't stop appearing, and he was done pretending to tolerate them.

Though he hadn't always been around, his ties with his closest friends never faded. Their bond wasn't just built on childhood friendship—it was business, too. Deep, serious business.

The moment he spoke, they all understood—there was no turning back.

"Alright then," one of them said. "Let's start with the Zachs."

They sat around, reviewing their plan. When Jonathan checked the time, he stood. "I've got to go. I need to make dinner."

And just like that, he grabbed his jacket and walked out, giving no one a chance to stop him.

"Asshole," Mateo said flatly. "Uses us and leaves. Typical."

"Is no one going to talk about how he said he's going home to cook?" Draven blinked. "That's boyfriend material right there. I'm asking her next time how she tamed a wild dog into a domestic house pet."

"I'm recording this," Mateo grinned. "Next time Jonathan gets cocky, I'm playing it for him."

The jokes faded into something heavier.

"It's only going to get worse from here," Maddox finally said. "His relationship with his father is about to hit rock bottom. I actually think Susie's always been pretty low-key. And Jose, that kid's always been polite—" He thought about how every time he saw them, Jose was always so warm and enthusiastic, and let out a small sigh.

"Don't say that in front of Jonathan," Stone warned.

"I'm not stupid," Maddox muttered, rubbing his temples. "I know what side I'm on. I just think it's a shame. Jose's… not a bad kid. If only Jonathan could see that."

Draven leaned forward. "Yeah, well. That's never going to happen."

Because unless his mother came back from the dead, there was no forgiveness to be found.

Back at Sierra's apartment, she was about to run into Jose. When the doorbell rang, she assumed it was Huang Yao. Instead, it was someone she never expected—one of the classmates she’d bumped into a few times.

She didn’t open the door. Instead, she spoke into the intercom, calm and sharp.

"How'd you find me? Who are you really?"

"My name's Jose," the boy said. "I'm… Jonathan's half-brother. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"You don't want anything to happen to him, do you?"

That got her attention. She opened the door, her face cold. "Is that a threat?"

"No!" Jose shook his head quickly. "Can I come in?"

Sierra's response was to shut the door halfway. "Let's talk outside."

She gave him a long look. "He doesn't like strangers in his space."

Jose smiled faintly—bitter, almost—and followed her to a café outside the complex.

"What exactly did you mean earlier?" she asked once they sat. "Was that your idea of declaring war?"

She’d had a decent impression of him before. The kind of kid who paid attention, who always seemed genuine. But now that she knew who he really was? That good impression was gone.

He had a family—parents who loved him. And Jonathan? He had no one. His mother, the only person who had ever truly cared for him, was gone. His father had chosen another woman, another child, and left Jonathan to grow up alone.

Sierra’s tone was sharp, her expression unreadable. All of her defenses were up. Jose looked genuinely hurt.

"I'm not here to start a war," he said quietly. "And I've never wanted to fight him. Neither has my mother. But he's never believed us. I came here because I thought… Maybe you could help me talk to him."

He hesitated, then added with an almost embarrassed smile, "I've always looked up to him. Honestly… I think it's cool having a big brother like him. I'm studying biochemistry too, you know? Because of him. He's… amazing."

The admiration in his voice caught Sierra off guard. She didn’t expect that. She stared at him, then finally said, "He'll never accept you."

Jose nodded, like he’d expected it. "I know. But… Can you tell him something for me?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"If he’s willing to come back to the family… I’ll leave."

Sierra’s eyes narrowed. "You’re saying you’ll step aside?"

Jose met her gaze and nodded once. "If that's what it takes."