Chapter 41: The Fracture

“Make a U-turn. We’re taking Ms. Xander home.”

Sierra’s breath hitched. Just now, Shane showed no intention of taking her home; instead, he planned to discipline her. Why the sudden change of mind? It must have something to do with the phone call earlier. It certainly wasn't the Xanders' family, but who would help me?

Jonathan’s face flashed across Sierra’s mind, but she couldn't be sure. Even if Jonathan held a prestigious position, he was just a professor. How could he possibly go up against the power of capital?

Soon, the car arrived in front of the Xander residence. As Sierra opened the door and stepped out, she heard Shane say, “I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.”

Sierra paused and looked at Shane. “Is it a return of the favor from last time?” Sierra needed to rent a laboratory earlier, and she owed Shane a favor.

Shane answered softly, “Yes.”

Sierra tightened her grip on the car door and nodded, “Alright.” She had no idea what was waiting for her tomorrow, but now the sword hanging over her head had finally been lowered, and she felt less worried.

Sierra closed the door and walked towards the Xander residence. Shane watched her for a while, then tapped the door and said, “Let’s go.”

It was already late at night, but Bradley, Evan, and Sean were still wide awake. Earlier, when Bradley made the phone call in front of Evan and Sean, they all knew something might happen today. Sean pulled out a bottle of liquor in irritation and poured a glass for each of them. Everyone picked up a glass and drank, even the most disciplined Evan.

For a long moment, none of them spoke. In the end, it was Sean who broke the silence. “Don’t you think Father had gone too far this time?” They could have accepted it if they were kept in the dark, but they had seen the scars on Sierra with their own eyes, and they had heard the prison guard describe what happened inside—and that it was not all that person was capable of. Who knew what else had happened in places they could not see? Yes, Sierra had been disobedient today, but she is still our little sister. Sean could not shake the discomfort growing in him.

Bradley and Evan remained silent.

After a while, Evan put down his glass and stood up. “I’ll go check on her.”

Bradley sighed and stood up as well. “Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

It should be about enough by now. As long as Sierra learned her lesson, that was enough.

“I’m coming too!” Sean ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep.”

Just as they were about to head out, the front door opened. Sierra, who was supposed to be dragged to prison for strict discipline, appeared in front of them. She was still wearing the same nightgown from earlier. It was crimson red, and it blazed even brighter under the lights like fresh blood.

Sierra walked towards them, as if she had risen from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

At that moment, the three of them felt something different in Sierra. It was as if something between them had broken. They could almost hear the sound of the breaking apart.

Bradley was the first to react as Sierra approached. “Sierra, you’re back?” His voice was tinged with disbelief.

Sierra’s lip curved into a cold smile. “Bradley, you look disappointed to see me.”

“No, I didn’t!” Bradley faltered, but his heart eased a little seeing Sierra unharmed. But almost immediately, his expression darkened as he remembered what happened earlier. “You’re completely out of line today. Do you have any idea how big a mess you created? Father is furious! The Xander family is going to be the laughingstock after today. When did you become so selfish?”

Sierra cut in before Bradley could finish his sentence. “Do you even know who Kason really is?”

Bradley, Evan, and Sean all stiffened when they heard Sierra’s question. Sierra smiled mockingly. “So you do know…”

Sean quickly reacted and explained. “Those were just rumors. Kason isn’t entirely like that. Besides, we’re here. We’ll protect you. He wouldn’t dare to do anything to you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

“Protect me?” Sierra let out a scornful laugh. “Ha. Protect me? Your definition of protection is to hand me over to a psychopath? Or do you mean getting the prison guard to ‘discipline’ me? So this is what you mean by protection. My brothers, you all have been so good to me. What a group of wonderful brothers I have.”

Sierra’s words struck all of them like a slap to the face. All three of them froze and remained speechless.