Chapter 291: A Gentle Conversation

“Your sister’s right. If you want, I can come with you,” Jonathan offered from the side.

“No, no, that’s really not necessary!” Dickson waved his hands quickly. “Just having my sister there is already a big deal—Mr. Yaeger, you showing up would cause a whole scene.”

Sierra raised an eyebrow. “You mean Mr. Yaeger’s that influential?”

Dickson jumped in to explain. “There’s this honor wall at our school—Mr. Yaeger’s on it.”

He hadn’t known just how legendary his future brother-in-law was until he started school. Jonathan had only attended for two years, but his name was everywhere. He’d started middle school at ten, finished six years of coursework by twelve, then got direct admission to Capital City University—not for biochemistry, but for physics. At fourteen, he disappeared for a while, then came back at twenty to switch fields and start again in biochemistry.

Some people peak the moment they appear. Jonathan was one of them.

Sierra hadn’t known all that. But it didn’t surprise her. Nothing about Jonathan surprised her anymore—he was just that exceptional. But ten years old… She remembered what he’d once told her—about how he had to constantly chase new interests and stimulation just to avoid spiraling into darker thoughts. So unlike Dickson, her strongest feeling wasn’t awe—it was heartache.

The next day, Sierra accompanied Dickson to school. His homeroom teacher personally welcomed them, full of praise for Dickson’s progress before bringing up his future. Sierra learned that the schools who had expressed early interest in Dickson weren’t top-tier institutions. She and Dickson had already discussed this and decided to pass on those offers—he wanted to aim higher.

The best school for information technology in the country was Capital Academy. Though he still had a ways to go, there was more than a month left to prepare. He wanted to give it a shot. Sierra, of course, supported him completely. She turned down the teacher’s suggestions politely. The teacher looked disappointed and tried to convince her again as they left, reminding her that the offers on the table were still among the best.

But Sierra stuck to the decision. After the teacher finally left, just as she was about to go too, an older man sitting on a nearby bench suddenly spoke up.

“Why skip a sure thing and choose to take a risk instead?”

Sierra looked over. It was an elderly gentleman resting on the bench. He must’ve overheard her conversation with the teacher.

Apologies for eavesdropping, but I’m curious—Capital Academy’s information program has sky-high requirements. Only a handful of students make the cut each year. You’re really going to let your brother take that gamble?”

The man was Mr. Wynn. And today’s meeting wasn’t a coincidence. Dickson was indeed impressive, but not quite impressive enough for early admission to elite universities just yet. Mr. Wynn had wanted to meet Sierra for a long time, but could never find the right way to do it. He knew his grandson would raise hell if he found out, so after much thought, he chose this roundabout method. After all, this school had been founded by the Wynn family. He visited often enough that even if Jonathan eventually found out, he’d have a reasonable excuse.

Sierra didn’t suspect anything. She just assumed he was an old teacher at the school. She replied warmly, “My brother wants to work hard for it. We’re all supporting him.”

The old man didn’t press the issue. He simply sighed. “He’s a good kid—listens well. Not like my grandson, who’s nothing but trouble. Always butting heads with his father.”

He kept talking. Sierra had taken the day off and wasn’t in a rush, so she sat down beside him, listening patiently as he rambled. The two of them—one old, one young—sat together under the shade of a tree, chatting like old friends. Mr. Wynn told her a bit about his own life, then casually asked about hers. Sierra didn’t go into much detail, just mentioned that their grandmother had passed and now it was just her and Dickson, relying on each other.

Mr. Wynn sighed. “No wonder he listens to you so well. I envy the bond you two have. As for our family… best not to talk about it.”

He glanced at the time and stood to leave. Sierra noticed he moved slowly and hurried to help him.

“Careful, sir. Take your time.”

Mr. Wynn looked at her, even more impressed, and said with meaning, “If only you were my grandson’s girlfriend. That little rascal’s dating someone, but won’t even bring her home. I’ve never met the girl. I just hope she’s not going to be trouble.”