Chapter 307: Blood Debt and Bait

As soon as Sierra left the room, Jonathan spoke up. “Professor Martin. I know what you’re about to say. But I suggest you don’t.” His tone was mild, but the displeasure in his voice was hard to miss.

Professor Martin hesitated before finally saying, “He did make a mistake, yes. But I still hope there’s a way to help him.” He had no idea about Jonathan’s real identity, but after everything that had happened, it was clear his proudest student was far more connected than he’d realized. After all, Sierra had been released on the third day, while the others had remained in custody for nearly a month.

“I know I probably shouldn’t be asking,” the professor said, sounding almost ashamed, “but I still wanted to try, just once. Is there any chance you could help?”

“No.” Jonathan didn’t even pause. “It’s late. Get some rest. And don’t worry about things that aren’t your concern.” With that, he turned and left the room without giving the professor another chance to speak.

Professor Martin let out a long sigh but wasn’t surprised. He knew Jonathan too well. This was just a long shot to see if the man had softened at all. Clearly, he hadn’t.

Outside, Sierra was still waiting, staring at her phone. Jonathan had already suppressed the trending posts, but someone had reignited the fire. The video was spreading fast, with thousands of comments pouring in. Sierra didn’t read them. She just kept playing the video over and over again. Even after watching it several times, the moment Claire stabbed herself still left her shaken.

Johnathan walked out and saw what she was watching. He frowned, took the phone from her hand, and said, “That’s enough. Let’s go home.”

“I want to check on her,” Sierra said.

“Sierra…” Jonathan looked at her, disapproving. She probably didn’t realize just how much trouble that video could bring.

“I’m not going to do anything,” she said. “I just want to know how she is.”

He looked at her for a long moment, then gave in and led her toward the ER. Patrick had already been taken away by the police, and the hallway was eerily empty.

They waited for a while before the emergency room doors finally opened. Sierra spoke to the nurse and let out a small sigh of relief. The knife had gone deep, but Claire had been lucky. She’d collapsed right at the hospital entrance, and emergency treatment had come fast. She was alive—for now.

“Come on. Let’s go,” Sierra said softly. She had only wanted to know whether the woman had survived. That was all.

Chapter 307: Blood Debt and Bait +8 Pearls

Yealt immediately sensed something was wrong. “What happened?”

“Social media’s blowing up with hate against Sierra. I’ve already had it scrubbed, but it’s obvious someone’s pushing this.”

“I just got word—there’s already a crowd forming outside the hospital.”

“Don’t take her out through the main entrance.”

Jonathan’s expression turned grim. He hung up and checked his phone. His eyes darkened.

“It’s about the video, isn’t it?” Sierra asked. She had a pretty good idea.

“Forget it. I’ll handle it.”

Jonathan called the hospital director and arranged for them to leave through a secure, private route. They slipped through a back corridor and exited through a restricted underground parking lot. By the time they got into the car, the video had vanished from every platform. But the damage had already been done.

“The video’s gone,” Sierra muttered, refreshing her screen. “But the comments…”

“Looks like someone pulled strings. Everything got wiped.”

“I saw the video earlier,” one comment read. “That mother was desperate—crazy, even—but I get where she was coming from. If I had a kid, maybe I’d do the same.”

“What even happened?” another post asked. “No one’s saying anything.”

“I go to North Salem. Heard there was a lab screw-up. It was supposed to be Sierra’s fault, but someone pulled strings and made Finn take the fall.”

“Who’s backing her? They must be insanely rich.”

“Her boyfriend. That Yaeger guy. Not just a professor, but a CEO. One of those billionaire types.”

The posts went on and on. The focus had completely shifted. Jonathan was being dragged into the mess—more than Sierra.

She scrolled quietly, fingers clenched. This isn’t just about me anymore. I was just the bait. They’re coming for Jonathan.