Chapter 338: The Trap in the Garden

The air outside was definitely better—fresher, less stifling than inside. Sierra let out a breath. Quinn, standing beside her, noticed and asked, “Not used to it?”

Sierra didn’t bother hiding it. She nodded. “I don’t really like crowded places.” She was slow to warm up to others and didn’t care for crowds, especially these kinds of social gatherings. Still, Maddox had helped her a lot. No matter what, she had to be here today.

Quinn looked a little concerned. “Sierra, that won’t do. Given Jonathan’s status, you’ll be exposed to a lot more people and situations in the future.”

“I know,” Sierra said. She’d already prepared herself for that. She couldn’t shut herself away in the lab forever. If she did, she and Jonathan would gradually drift apart.

“I adjust… slowly. There’s no rush,” Sierra smiled.

Quinn stared at her for a while, then said, almost wistfully, “Sierra, I’m so envious of you. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Jonathan care so much about someone. Being under his protection is something most people could only dream of.”

That didn’t sound quite right. Sierra glanced at Quinn, who met her gaze calmly and added, “Sometimes I really do get jealous. Jonathan’s never treated me that well. And if his mother hadn’t passed away back then, I might not have even had the chance to call him my brother.”

She hugged herself, clearly distressed. “I’ve always wanted a real family—loving parents, an older brother, and maybe even a sister. His mother was a good person… It’s a shame.”

Sierra already knew about Quinn’s background, but hearing her speak so candidly about her feelings for Jonathan made Sierra feel a twinge of guilt. She’d been secretly jealous of Quinn these past few days. Thankfully, she never let it show—otherwise, it would have been ridiculous.

Just as she was about to say something, she felt something was wrong. A wave of heat surged through her body from below. Sierra’s eyes darkened. She’d been drugged.

Her reaction was quick—she’d experienced this before. It had happened back in prison. Someone had set her up. She hadn’t known what was happening back then, and by the time she realized something was off, it was too late. Someone had been filming her the whole time.

She didn’t even need to guess what their intentions were…

Sierra pushed the memory aside. She pinched herself hard and scanned her surroundings before urgently saying, “Quinn, go get Jonathan. Now!” She wanted to go herself, but the drug was too potent.

“What’s wrong?” Quinn looked confused. “Sierra, your face is so red. Are you sick?”

“Don’t worry about me—just get Jonathan. Hurry!”

Quinn finally realized something was off and rushed back inside.

This time, the drug was far more aggressive than what she’d been given before. Her whole body was burning up; she felt weak, and sleepiness was beginning to take over. Who drugged her?

To keep herself from passing out, Sierra forced her mind to focus. She’d had some water and a bit of food after arriving. Was that when it happened? Were they targeting her—or Jonathan?

Just then, she heard a sound nearby. Was that Jonathan! Sierra instinctively turned her head.

Inside the house, Jonathan was surrounded by a crowd. It took some effort for him to slip away, and he looked around for Sierra, but she was nowhere in sight. Mateo came over. “Don’t bother. Sierra stepped out. Quinn’s with her.”

Hearing that Quinn was with her, Jonathan felt something stir in his chest. He set down his glass and was about to head out when Quinn suddenly came rushing back in, flustered. A sense of dread shot through him as he hurried to meet her.

“What happened?” he asked.

Quinn lowered her voice. “Sierra sent me to get you. We were talking, and then suddenly she told me to come find you. She didn’t look right.”

Jonathan’s expression changed instantly. He didn’t waste time asking more questions and rushed out with Quinn in tow. Seeing something was wrong, Mateo and the others quickly followed. Their commotion drew attention. Some guests had started to notice, and Maddox rushed over to stop them, though his face was etched with worry!

Quinn led Jonathan and the others to where she and Sierra had been sitting—but Sierra was nowhere to be found.