Chapter 251: The Family He Didn’t Want

Wayne had suddenly collapsed that morning. After receiving emergency care from the family doctor, he was immediately sent to the Wynn family’s private hospital. The test results were back now. Wayne was generally fine—his sudden collapse had been an isolated incident. But it was still a warning. Wayne was getting old. It was time for him to step down.

As the head of the Wynn family, he had controlled everything for years. Recently, he had delegated some responsibilities to Jonathan’s father, Chase Wynn, leading many to believe that Chase would eventually take over. But as time passed without Wayne making an official statement, it became clear that nothing was set in stone.

Chase was at the hospital today, along with Jonathan’s half-siblings, Jose and Susie. Susie knew Jonathan didn’t like her, so she simply nodded at him before stepping aside to wait. Jose hesitated, wanting to leave with her, but Susie shot him a sharp look, and he had no choice but to stay.

Chase took one look at his eldest son’s emotionless face, exhaled, and said, “Your grandfather isn’t getting any younger. You know how much he favors you, and the old estate is always open to you. Stop wandering around outside all the time—come back and visit him more often.”

Jonathan found it amusing. His father was lecturing him? He sneered at Chase. “And what position do you have to say that to me? What right do you have to tell me what to do?”

“You—” Chase’s face darkened. It had been this way for years. Every time father and son met, it either ended in silence or turned into a sharp exchange of words. Jonathan didn’t waste any more time on him. He walked to the end of the hallway, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it.

As he reached for his phone, he finally noticed Sierra’s message. His expression softened immediately. He sent her a quick reply, letting her know Wayne was fine and not to worry.

Jose had been silent the whole time, but he had been watching Jonathan closely. He caught that brief moment when Jonathan’s eyes turned gentle. That was a side of his older brother he had never seen before.

Wayne was in good spirits when he woke up. The moment he was conscious, he insisted on going home, looking as energetic as ever. No one could persuade him otherwise, so they had no choice but to agree. Jonathan personally drove Wayne back.

Wayne disliked having too many people around, so he simply said, “Just the two of them will take me home. The rest of you, get back to whatever you were doing.” Jose instinctively glanced at Jonathan, who remained expressionless.

Jose understood what their grandfather was trying to do. Wayne wanted to ease the tension between them. But Jose also knew—it wouldn’t be easy. After they arrived at the estate, Wayne had the two of them stay and talk with him for a while. Jonathan remained indifferent, making no effort to act more familiar with Jose. Wayne sighed to himself but didn’t push.

“You two can go now. I’ll rest for a bit,” Wayne said.

“Grandpa, I’ll visit you again tomorrow,” Jose said.

Jonathan stood up without hesitation. “I’ll come by.” Jose quickly followed suit, bidding Wayne farewell. As the brothers walked out of the estate, Wayne shook his head. “That boy’s temper… What am I going to do with him?”

The old butler, Edmund, spoke quietly. “Mr. Jonathan has always been this way.”

“Jose, though—he’s been working harder these past two years.” Wayne mused. But it was a shame… Wayne shook his head again.

Just as Edmund thought he had fallen asleep, he suddenly heard him murmur, “I don’t have much time left. And with things the way they are, I can’t rest easy.” Edmund didn’t dare respond.

Outside, Jonathan walked quickly, making no effort to wait for Jose. Jose knew Jonathan didn’t like him, so he didn’t try to keep up. Instead, he called out from behind, “I won’t be coming tomorrow.” It was his way of stepping back.

Jonathan glanced at him, then said flatly, “There’s no need for that.” After a pause, he smirked slightly. “I’ve never cared about any of that.” Everyone assumed he hated seeing Susie and Jose. But the truth was, they had never mattered to him. They were nothing more than air.

“Grandpa likes you. If you want to visit him, then visit him. No need to act like you’re being forced, like someone’s bullying you,” Jose said.

“That’s not what I—” Jase started to explain, but Jonathan was already gone.

By the time Jonathan returned home, Sierra was flipping through a research journal. Seeing him walk in, she immediately put it down.

“Your grandfather is okay? You don’t need to stay with him?”

“He’s fine. If I stayed, plenty of people wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight,” Jonathan said with a cold laugh. Sierra pressed her lips together, not saying anything. Jonathan didn’t notice anything unusual about her mood. He simply reached out, pulling her into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear. “I really don’t want to go back there at all.”