Chapter 309: Brothers and Boundaries

This situation wasn’t hard to handle. The only reason Jonathan hadn’t stepped in earlier was because all the heat had been focused on him—and he didn’t care what people said about him. If it hadn’t been for Sierra’s public statement, he would’ve stayed low and kept observing. But Sierra’s post had made him decide to end the game early.

“Have you figured out who’s behind it? Shane?” Sierra guessed. Lately, Shane had been the one most hostile toward Jonathan.

“Not just him,” Jonathan let out a cold laugh.

That same day, Jonathan went to see Chase. Chase was surprised, even a little pleased, to see Jonathan come to him voluntarily. But the moment Jonathan opened his mouth, the smile disappeared completely.

“Keep your son in line. If you won’t teach him, I can. But the price will be high—don’t come crying to me later.” Jonathan didn’t bother softening the blow.

Chase’s expression soured. “At least he doesn’t cause as much trouble as you do.”

Jonathan wasn’t fazed. “This is the first time, so I’m just warning you.”

Chase felt a jolt in his gut. He knew what his son was capable of. “What are you planning now? You’ve already driven the Zach family out of Albanos. Isn’t that enough?”

“Then maybe ask your good son what he’s been up to.” With that, Jonathan turned and walked away, leaving Chase behind—stunned and seething.

Chase knew Jonathan wouldn’t say something like that without a reason. And he knew someone had been making moves against Jonathan lately. Could it really be Jose? That thought alone made him shake his head. Jose had always been obedient… hadn’t he?

Still, later that night, Chase couldn’t help himself. He called Jose home and confronted him in front of Susie.

“Your brother’s in trouble. Was it you who set it up?”

Susie had just been chatting with Jose about school. She immediately looked up, startled. “What did you just say?” She turned to Jose. “Is it true?”

Jose didn’t want to admit it. But seeing how nervous his mother looked, something hardened inside him. “Yeah. It was me.”

“You?” Before Chase could react, Susie shot to her feet. She stared at her son, furious. “Why would you do that? He’s your brother!”

“Brother?” Jose scoffed. “After all these years, do you even remember how he treated us? How we treated him? Mom, when are you going to stop pretending? Why do we always have to give way to him? What do we owe him?”

“Enough!” Susie shouted. She was always gentle—but this time, her fury made her whole body shake. “What did I teach you? I’m so disappointed in you.”

Seeing her like that, Jose felt even worse. “I just don’t understand. Why do you always treat him like he’s more important? You always told me to be nice to him, to step aside, to never fight back. But why? I’m part of the Wynn family too. Why do I have to…”

“Don’t get worked up. We’ll figure it out,” Chase said, worried.

“I’m sorry,” Susie murmured, her eyes full of regret. “I didn’t raise him right.”

“It’s not your fault.” Chase looked just as pained. He had two sons—and somehow, he’d failed them both. He thought they would get along and that things would be peaceful. But both had resentment in their hearts. The thing he feared most had come true.

Susie finally calmed herself and said quietly, “Send Jose abroad.”

“What?” Chase turned to her. “You want to send him away? You’re willing to do that?”

Susie hesitated, torn, but nodded. “This isn’t about what I want. It’s what we have to do.”

“We can’t let this end with them tearing each other apart.” This was how she would protect her son. She knew Jonathan’s temperament. If Jose kept pushing, Jonathan would never let it go. And if it came to that, nothing could stop the fallout.

“I’m afraid he’ll hold a grudge,” Chase said quietly.

“A grudge is better than a disaster,” Susie replied. Then, after a pause, added, “I’ll go with him.”

“Susie…” Chase looked at her, eyes full of sorrow.