Chapter 340: Too Late

Quinn had originally wanted Jonathan to find Sierra after she’d been violated. Everything had been set up perfectly—so how had it gone wrong? The doctor said Sierra hadn’t been assaulted. What had happened?

Draven noticed Quinn lingering nearby but didn’t question her. He joined Maddox and the others to investigate what had taken place. Inside the hospital room, Jonathan sat silently by the bed, clutching Sierra’s hand tightly as he waited for her to wake up. No one dared disturb him. Jonathan had no idea how long he’d been sitting there.

Meanwhile, Maddox and the others had made no progress. Maddox personally checked the backgrounds of every guest and staff member from that day, but nothing suspicious turned up. The hospital report finally came back, confirming drug traces in Sierra’s system. But Jonathan wasn’t a specialist, and all he understood from the doctor’s explanation was that the drug levels in her blood were alarmingly high. The hospital lacked the means to analyze it thoroughly.

Even Draven didn’t know how to break it to Jonathan, so after some thought, he reluctantly called Autumn. His last conversation with Autumn had ended badly. She used to respect him, but his volatile temper had shattered that. So when she picked up, her tone was far from friendly.

Upon hearing what he needed, she was surprised. “Why don’t you ask Sierra?” she asked. She knew he and Sierra were close. But then it clicked. “Wait… did something happen to her?”

“Just analyze the sample. Don’t ask questions,” Draven replied. Autumn was furious. She wanted to tell him to go to hell—but concern for Sierra won out. She grudgingly agreed to help.

Half an hour later, she called back. “Where the hell did you get that drug?” she demanded. “Start with the analysis,” Draven said calmly. With a huff, Autumn launched into her findings.

“There are three main compounds in the sample. One induces hallucinations and drowsiness. One triggers an extreme adrenaline spike, making the person lose all control. And the third creates dependency.” “Don’t even ask how these three coexist—I’m wondering the same thing.”

The first two effects—drowsiness and adrenaline overload—should have been mutually exclusive, yet somehow, they were working together. Draven’s face turned grim as he listened. Autumn wasn’t done.

“Sierra’s the one who was drugged, isn’t she?” Before she could get an answer, the call cut off. Autumn stared at her phone, half-laughing from disbelief.

If such a compound existed, the authorities would’ve cracked down on it immediately—and no one knew that better than him. “Who would do this?” Quinn’s voice was filled with anger. “Why would they?”

No one responded. Their faces were tight with unease. No one knew how to break the news to Jonathan—especially Maddox, who was overwhelmed with guilt. If not for his party, this never would’ve happened.

While they all brooded in silence, Sierra finally woke up. Her eyes fluttered open to a white ceiling. As her awareness returned, her body tensed with alertness. She instinctively curled her hands into fists—only to realize her hand was being tightly held.

“Don’t move. It’s me, Jonathan.” His low, soothing voice reached her ears, but her guard didn’t drop. She wondered if this was still another hallucination. Earlier, she had mistaken someone else for Jonathan. She had let that person do whatever he wanted—almost. If he hadn’t been so rough, so unlike the real Jonathan, she might have been completely fooled.

She moved to pinch herself, but Jonathan held her hand firmly. “Don’t hurt yourself. It’s really me.” “Sierra, I’m here.” “I’m sorry… I was too late.”

Sierra stared at him for a long time, finally convinced this wasn’t a trick. This was Jonathan. “Johnathan?” she called softly. “I’m here,” he answered. “Johnathan,” she said again, her voice cracking. “I’m here, Sierra. I’m right here.”

This time, Sierra couldn’t hold back anymore. She threw her arms around him and whispered, “Why… why did it take you so long to get here?”