Chapter 347: A Different Kind of Justice

“Trev—where is he?” Jonathan asked, his voice cold and tight.

Maddox pressed his lips together. “Downstairs.”

Jonathan turned, ready to go down and finish what he’d started—but Sierra stepped in front of him. She knew exactly what he was planning.

“Can I handle this?” she asked.

Jonathan gave a small nod. Sierra then turned to Maddox. “Maddox, is the Treno family handing him over to us?”

“…Yes,” Maddox replied quietly.

“Good. Then let him face the consequences of what he’s done,” Sierra said, locking eyes with Maddox. “Yesterday wasn’t the first time, was it? He’s probably done things like this before. I want him properly tried.”

If Jonathan dealt with Trev, the outcome would be brutal—crippling, even. That would serve as justice for her, but not for the others. The women Trev had hurt before never saw justice. If she let Jonathan take matters into his own hands, she’d just be making it about herself.

No. This time, she wanted fairness—for everyone. If the Treno family didn’t interfere, Trev would receive a fair and public trial.

Maddox hadn’t expected Sierra to take this route. He froze, then frowned. “Are you sure?”

He’d already prepared for Trev to be crippled by Jonathan. The man never held back. Sparing Trev’s life would already be a miracle. But this? This would send Trev to prison for years and publicly disgrace the Treno family.

“I’m sure,” Sierra said firmly.

From the moment the Treno family had chosen to protect Trev, they’d become accomplices. Maddox understood the deeper meaning behind her words. He looked at Jonathan. “And you? Do you agree?”

“Sierra’s will is law,” Jonathan answered calmly.

He stood to leave. Just before he walked out, he hesitated. “I know it’s useless, but I still want to say—I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Sierra said, her gaze steady. “You’re not the one who should be apologizing.”

Maddox gave a bitter smile and left. He knew that after this, a rift had formed between them—one that wouldn’t heal. Not because it was Trev who’d hurt her, but because of all the times they’d looked the other way. All the chances they’d had to stop him—and didn’t.

Noticing the change in his mood, Draven gave Mateo a subtle look, signaling him to follow Maddox. Mateo nodded and quietly slipped out.

Seeing Maddox walking in silence, Mateo couldn’t help but speak up. “You’re not mad at Sierra, are you?”

“Of course not,” Maddox gave a strained smile. “I feel guilty.”

If they hadn’t kept turning a blind eye to Trev’s behavior, none of this would’ve happened. And Sierra had been right. Trev had caused plenty of trouble before. Maddox had heard things—rumors. But the victims were strangers, and he hadn’t paid them much attention. Now, the victim was the girlfriend of his closest friend, and for the first time, the guilt hit him hard.

“He deserves to be punished,” Maddox said quietly. It would hurt the Treno family’s reputation—but maybe that would finally wake the others up.

Relieved that Maddox held no resentment, Mateo relaxed. “So what you said earlier—is it true? Someone trying to drive a wedge between you and Jonathan?”

“Just a hunch,” Maddox said.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Stone and Draven were discussing the same theory with Jonathan and Sierra.

“Could it be Shane?” Stone asked.

It made the most sense. Shane had long been at odds with Jonathan, and the Treno and Wynn families held considerable influence. It wouldn’t be surprising if Shane wanted to stir trouble between Jonathan and Maddox. After all, Jonathan was the undisputed heir of the Wynn family—a family that held incredible sway. If they took sides, everything could shift in an instant.

“Shane’s been transferred. The Goodman family’s been keeping a low profile lately,” Draven said, though he didn’t sound convinced.

Jonathan said nothing. His mind wasn’t on politics. It was on Sierra. He kept thinking about the bite mark on her wrist—one she’d inflicted on herself. The pain she must’ve felt…

Seeing Jonathan so distant, Stone and Draven didn’t linger. They knew they couldn’t stay out of this. Each of them had already decided to start their own investigation into who was really behind it all.

Once the room was quiet again, Sierra finally said, “Give me my phone. I need to tell my professor I’m taking the day off.”

“I already did,” Jonathan replied. “Told them you were sick. They said to rest as long as…”