Chapter 312: Staying for Good

“Try this one too,” Johnathan added more food to Sierra’s plate. Across from them, Quinn watched their interaction and suddenly commented, “I used to wonder what you’d be like once you had a girlfriend. Now I finally get to see it.”

She said it jokingly. Sierra cleared her throat, a little embarrassed, and realized she’d probably been overthinking things earlier.

After dinner, Johnathan didn’t make any further plans. He simply drove Quinn and her daughter back to the hotel. “Get some rest first. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until tomorrow,” Johnathan said. After more than ten hours on a plane, he could see the exhaustion on Quinn’s face. As much as he wanted to know what had happened, it could wait.

“Alright, see you tomorrow. Ms. Sierra, see you another time,” Quinn said as she said goodbye, carrying Dora into the hotel.

Sierra watched her retreating figure and asked, “You really don’t know what happened over there?”

“I haven’t really been keeping tabs on her,” Johnathan replied, frowning slightly as he turned the steering wheel. “I didn’t like the guy she chose from the beginning.” He’d known it wouldn’t last.

“You should talk to her tomorrow,” Sierra suggested. She didn’t plan to go—some things were better said when she wasn’t around. She knew Quinn might not speak freely in front of her. And knowing Johnathan’s temper, she couldn’t help but remind him, “Don’t say anything harsh.”

“I just tell it like it is,” he replied. But even as he said it, he took her words to heart.

The next day, he picked up Quinn and Dora from the hotel and took them to the mall. After settling Dora in the kids’ play area, he finally asked, “You and that guy split up?”

Quinn nodded. Johnathan didn’t pry further. He simply said, “If that’s the case, then just stay. I’m in Capital City now too. You’re not alone. Mateo and the others are still around. You know them all—no one’s going to mess with you.”

At those words, Quinn’s eyes reddened. “Johnathan…” It looked like she wanted to hug him, but Johnathan stepped back. “You know I don’t like people touching me,” he said calmly.

Quinn froze for a second, then smiled it off and joked, “Then what about with Ms. Sierra? You don’t let her touch you either?”

Johnathan gave her a look and said plainly, “She’s different.”

Quinn smiled faintly at that. “Yeah, she really is. I used to think you’d go your whole life without ever caring about anyone.”

Johnathan wasn’t much for talking, and he’d only met with Quinn today to confirm his suspicions. Now that he knew she planned to stay, there wasn’t much else to say. He wasn’t the type to share personal details, especially not about him and Sierra. So he simply asked about her next steps.

“I want to visit Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chase.”

7:58 PM

Chapter 312: Staying for Good

They didn’t linger too long. After grabbing a meal, Johnathan took Quinn and Dora back to the hotel.

Before she got out of the car, he said, “Since you’re staying, it’s not right for you to keep living in a hotel. I’ve got a small apartment that’s been sitting empty. I’ll have it cleaned up—you can move in with the kid for now. Later, when you find something better, you can move again.”

“Thank you,” Quinn said sincerely.

“No need to be so formal,” Johnathan said with a wave before driving off. Quinn stood there holding her daughter for a moment before finally heading back into the hotel.

Later that night, Johnathan told Sierra about the apartment arrangement. “That apartment—where is it?” she asked.

“Downtown. Not far from my office.” He’d originally bought it so he’d have somewhere to crash if he didn’t feel like going home. But in the end, he never really used it—sometimes he’d just sleep at the office.

“She’s got a young kid. Is it really convenient for her to live alone like that?” Sierra was thinking more practically.

“I’ll ask her tomorrow,” Johnathan said without much concern. “I’m having her start working at the company.”

Setting aside their personal history, Quinn was highly capable. She had a degree in economics, and with the company growing, Johnathan needed help. Since Quinn had decided to stay, he offered—and she readily accepted.

Sierra felt more at ease after hearing that. Though she didn’t know Quinn well, she was still Johnathan’s sister, so Sierra made a point to be thoughtful. Since she had some free time, she even went out and bought a few outfits and toys for Dora, and asked Johnathan to drop them off.