Chapter 17: Putting People in Their Place

Lawyer? Sierra was momentarily stunned before realizing what Jonathan meant.

“Your health isn’t in great shape. If someone’s been abusing you, you can apply for legal protection,” Jonathan suggested.

Sierra felt a rare warmth in her chest. All this time, Jonathan was the only one who had noticed her condition and actually given her a solution.

“No need. But…thanks,” she said.

Her situation wasn’t something the law could fix. Jonathan didn’t push. He simply nodded.

“If you ever change your mind, I know a good lawyer.”

Sierra glanced at him. “Mr. Yeager, are you always this helpful?”

“No,” Jonathan said with a small smirk. “I actually hate trouble. But I believe in fate. I helped you because it felt like we were meant to cross paths.”

As he spoke, he absently spun the prayer beads around his wrist. Sierra just noticed them now. The beads suited him—simple yet refined. Jonathan already had an air of calm, cultured elegance. The warm scent of sandalwood from the beads only made him seem more composed and approachable.

Before she could say anything, he continued, “I’ve been looking for someone. She disappeared a few years ago. The day you posted on the forum, I finally got a lead. That’s fate.”

Sierra stiffened. That day, she had briefly logged into her old account. So that’s what he was referring to. A strange feeling crept into her chest. She had disappeared for three years. Yet, Jonathan had never stopped looking for her.

“Is she a friend?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.

“Something like that. She vanished without a trace. For three years, not a single word. I started to worry.”

As he spoke, his fingers moved over his prayer beads again. Sierra was about to respond when her phone suddenly rang. Jonathan handed it to her. “I charged it for you.”

She glanced at the caller ID. Bradley. Annoyance flashed across her face. Without hesitation, she declined the call. A moment later, her phone rang again. This time, it was Evan. She declined again.

What the hell was wrong with the Xander family? Were they bored? Why were they blowing up her phone? She was about to power it off when Jonathan spoke up.

“You should answer. It might actually be important.”

Sierra hesitated, then swiped to accept. The moment she did, Bradley’s voice blasted through the speaker.

“Sierra! What the hell did you do this time?”

“If you have a problem, take it out on us! Why are you making trouble for Denise?”

Sierra’s eyes turned cold. She was about to retort when Jonathan casually reached over and took the phone from her hand.

“It’s me,” he said, his voice calm and measured. “Jonathan.”

Minutes later, Bradley stormed into Sierra’s hospital room. For once, the ever-polished Bradley looked a little disheveled. He frowned at Sierra, his gaze filled with suspicion.

“Why are you in the hospital?”

Sierra had no desire to answer. This guy was such a moron.

“Northwind,” Jonathan called out from the couch, his voice even. “I ran into Sierra this morning. She collapsed on the street so I brought her here.”

Bradley barely reacted to that information. Instead, he looked right past it and demanded, “What did you say to Denise last night? And where the hell did you go?”

“Sierra, don’t forget—you’re still on probation. You’re supposed to report where you go!”

Sierra stared at him. Cold. Emotionless. She didn’t even feel disappointed anymore. She had long since stopped expecting anything from them. Every single time it involved Denise, she was always the one thrown aside. Their so-called guilt, their fake apologies—what a joke.

Bradley grew even more frustrated when she didn’t respond.

“Do you even realize Denise almost died last night?”

“She was found unconscious in the hallway. She refused to go to bed—insisted on waiting for you.”

“She kept saying she was sorry.”

“Sierra, I know you’re upset, but Denise never wronged you! She truly loves you! She sees you as her sister! How could you be so cruel? You know her health is fragile—”

“Enough.” Jonathan stood up, cutting him off. He walked over, his expression darkening as he faced Bradley.

“I’ll say this one more time. When I found Sierra, she was in terrible condition. The doctor’s report says she collapsed from severe dehydration—caused by extreme fear. Didn’t you tell me she was your sister too?”

Jonathan’s words finally shut Bradley up. He looked from Jonathan to Sierra. And for the first time, he really looked. Her face was sickly pale, the kind of pale that came from long-term malnutrition. The doctor’s words echoed in his head: Nutrient deficiency. Hypoglycemia. Even bite marks.

Jonathan’s voice was calm, but every sentence was like a slap to the face. Bradley opened his mouth, guilt flashing through his eyes.

“I…” He trailed off. His throat felt dry. Denise had been in bad shape last night. She hadn’t woken up. She had kept murmuring Sierra’s name, apologizing over and over. It had been painful to watch. They had stayed up all night, trying to reach Sierra. So when they finally did, he had assumed the worst. He had thought she was just being difficult. But looking at her now… He realized he had never once considered her situation.

“I… I’m sorry, Sierra. I—” But the words wouldn’t come out. Because deep down, he knew an apology meant nothing. He felt embarrassed. Humiliated. And like all cowards, he tried to cover it up with blame.

“Well, maybe if you hadn’t snuck out in the middle of the night, none of this would’ve happened,” he muttered.

Jonathan’s jaw tightened. So this was how they treated her. He was about to speak, but Sierra beat him to it.

“Mr. Yeager, it’s fine. Can you ask him to leave? I want to rest.”

Jonathan adjusted his glasses. Then, with a perfectly polite tone, he said, “Northwind, Sierra needs to rest. You should go back and take care of Denise. She still hasn’t woken up, right? It’s understandable that you’re worried. After all, she is your sister.”

His words were smooth, but the meaning was sharp. Bradley’s face darkened. He could hear the sarcasm, but he had no way to argue back. His chest felt tight. And as always, instead of blaming himself, he blamed Sierra.

“This is all your fault,” he muttered under his breath. Then, without looking back, he left.

Once he was gone, Jonathan turned back to Sierra. “Want me to transfer you to another hospital?”

The sharpness in Sierra’s eyes softened slightly. She shook her head. “No need. They won’t be back anytime soon.”

The Xander family cared too much about appearances. After the way Jonathan had just humiliated Bradley, they wouldn’t show their faces for a while. Thinking about that, she couldn’t help but smirk.

“I didn’t think you were the type to put people in their place.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “I never said I was a good person.”

Sierra shook her head. “You’re the best person I’ve met.”

Jonathan let out a quiet chuckle. He didn’t argue.

By afternoon, Sierra insisted on leaving the hospital. Jonathan wasn’t thrilled about it, but she was firm.

“I already skipped class yesterday. I can’t afford another absence. I’m still on probation. I don’t have the luxury of slacking off.”

Jonathan frowned. His response was automatic. “Even criminals have the right to a second chance.”