Chapter 221: A Parting at Sea

Sierra sneered and walked out. She went straight to the restroom and scrubbed the spots where Kason had touched her, washing away every trace of him before she felt satisfied. When she stepped out, she saw Johnathan waiting outside. She knew what he wanted to ask. “I’m fine,” she said before he could speak.

Johnathan still didn’t look happy. He had heard everything. While he sat across from Mr. Richardson, entertaining empty pleasantries, he had also been listening to Kason’s conversation with Sierra. It had taken everything in him not to get up and break that man’s neck. But Sierra wanted to do this her way. She wanted to expose what the Richardson family had been doing. So, for now, he had to endure it. And that feeling—having to hold back—made him feel suffocated. His expression remained dark until Sierra reached for his hand and gave it a small shake. Only then did his face ease up.

They finished their meeting with the Richardsons and left. As soon as they were gone, Mr. Richardson’s expression soured. “This Johnathan is not easy to deal with,” he said. It wasn’t just the way he spoke, careful and controlled. It was the presence he carried—subtle, yet oppressive. Something about him made people uneasy. “We won’t make a move until we understand exactly who we’re dealing with,” Mr. Richardson warned, eyeing his son.

They had reached a temporary truce—Mr. Richardson had apologized on Kason’s behalf and offered compensation, while Johnathan agreed to back off. But this was only a pause. Mr. Richardson had no problem playing weak now if it meant striking harder later. If Johnathan turned out to be all smoke and mirrors, he would crush him without hesitation.

“Yeah, yeah,” Kason said lazily, clearly not taking it seriously. His father frowned. Kason had always been reckless, but now he seemed outright arrogant. Did he really think he could touch a man like Johnathan without consequences? “Better remember what I said,” Mr. Richardson warned. “And stay away from Sierra.”

Kason smirked. “That’s not happening. Sierra is mine. And unless something unexpected happens, she’ll be your daughter-in-law.” Mr. Richardson’s face twisted. “You’re serious?” “She’s my type,” Kason said, self-satisfied. “Don’t worry, Dad. She and I are the same kind of people.”

He was convinced of it. Sierra’s true nature—her ruthlessness—was something only he had seen. She just hid it well. Mr. Richardson didn’t look convinced. In fact, for the first time in a long while, he felt a hint of unease. His son had never taken a woman seriously before. And for some reason, he had a feeling Kason was about to meet his match.

Back in the car, Sierra leaned closer to Johnathan, trying to coax him out of his foul mood. “I know what I’m doing,” she reassured him. “Your friend gave me all those tools. I can protect myself. And besides—you’re here.” Johnathan’s scowl didn’t fade. He didn’t tell her that he had heard every word she said to Kason. Logically, he knew she was just playing the role. But bearing her talk about him like that—like he was just another man she’d get bored of—made his blood boil.

“Mr. Johnathan…” Sierra called his name sweetly. She still wasn’t good at acting spoiled. But Johnathan was starting to think she didn’t need to be. Because every time she said his name like that, it worked. He sighed, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “Don’t push yourself too far,” he said. “If things get out of control, I’ll handle it.”

“I know,” Sierra agreed easily. “Tin serious, Sterra,” His tone softened, but his eyes were firm. “You don’t have to do everything alone anymore.” For a moment, Sierra didn’t speak. Her chest felt tight, full. No one had ever said that to her before. No one had ever told her she didn’t have to bear everything by herself.

“Okay,” she whispered.

The festival came quickly. That night, Sierra stayed in the room her grandmother used to sleep in. When she stepped out the next morning, she was holding the urn.

Johnathan had originally suggested scattering her grandmother’s ashes at his private island. Or, at the very least, in the waters near it. But Sierra had refused. “The ocean moves,” she said, “It doesn’t matter where. She’ll go wherever she wants.” Johnathan had thought she’d be emotional today. But as he watched her, he realized she was steady. Composed. Just as she always had been.