Chapter 356: Why Must We Suffer?

Because of everything that had happened, Sierra no longer had the heart to keep working. She simply left with Jonathan and the others. On the way, she kept checking her phone, hoping Dora would call again. But her phone never rang.

Meanwhile, Stone’s men searched every spot Mateo had marked, but they still couldn’t find her. What they did find was the cloned license plate car. As time passed, Sierra grew more and more restless. Everyone knew—the longer this dragged on, the more dangerous it became for the child. And they still had no idea what the other side actually wanted.

Mateo refused to believe it. “There’s someone in this area we can’t find?” He wasn’t having it. Right then and there, he pulled out his laptop and started working. No one knew exactly how, but somehow he managed to uncover a few clues.

“There aren’t many places up on that mountain where someone could hide. I compared the maps. Besides the spot Old He already checked, there are two more possibilities. Without a car to move them and given the time constraints, this place right here is the most likely.” He pointed out a location. Stone wasn’t one to waste time; he immediately called his men, and they headed out right away.

A few hours later, they got the call—Dora had been found. They were already on the way to the hospital. Sierra and Jonathan rushed there immediately. On the way, Stone’s men reported what had happened.

“She was locked in a basement under an abandoned house.” If they hadn’t been thorough, they might never have realized someone was inside. “She hadn’t eaten for a long time. By the time we got there, she had already passed out from hunger.”

At that, everyone’s faces darkened. They were all soldiers—their duty was to protect the people. Sierra was furious. Whoever had taken Dora hadn’t given her a single bite of food.

Ter than Quinn arrived. Johnathan asked, “Johnathan, where’s Dora? Where is she?” “In there.” Johnathan nodded toward the emergency room. The doctors were still running tests on Dora. Seeing Quinn about to charge in, Mateo and the others quickly stopped her. “You need to calm down.”

Sierra worried that Quinn might have another attack. But surprisingly, she was stronger than Sierra had expected. Apart from trembling all over, she didn’t break down or start screaming. And Sierra noticed something else—Quinn didn’t grab at Mateo or the others, only Jonathan and herself. Even between her and Jonathan, there was a difference—she didn’t grip him hard enough to hurt. Then again, maybe it was because Jonathan had thicker skin.

Sierra didn’t know why she was even noticing these things at a time like this. Somewhere along the line, she had gotten used to observing Quinn without realizing it. The doctor soon came out, pulling Sierra’s attention back to the situation.

“We checked her over. Severe dehydration—no food, no water. Combined with significant blood loss, that’s why she’s still unconscious. No other injuries found, but there are injection marks on her arm.” Everyone’s expression changed at once. Someone had drawn Dora’s blood. And a lot of it. What did they want with her blood?

Beyond anger, Sierra’s heart ached. A three-year-old child, forced to endure so much suffering. Those people weren’t even animals—they were worse. She couldn’t help but glance at Quinn. Since the doctor had started speaking, Quinn hadn’t reacted at all. She just stood there, frozen. Anyone could tell something was wrong.

Mateo and the others looked at her anxiously. Jonathan’s brow was deeply furrowed, ready to step in if she lost control. But to everyone’s surprise, Quinn didn’t break down. After a long while, she finally looked at Jonathan, her eyes vacant, and asked, “Johnathan… do you think… maybe she and I were both mistakes? Maybe we shouldn’t have come into this world at all?”

Sierra felt as if her heart had been slammed with a hammer, aching so badly she could barely breathe. But right now, all she felt was heartbreak. And if she felt like this, it was even worse for Mateo and the others who had grown up with Quinn. Their faces were filled with pain. Jonathan quickly said, “Quinn, no one ever said you shouldn’t be here. My mom loved you so much—she said you were strong. I’m grateful to have you as my sister.”

At that, Quinn’s tears finally spilled over, falling in heavy streams down her face. In a broken voice, she asked, “Why do we have to suffer so much? Fine, whatever happens to me, but Dora didn’t do anything wrong. Why her?”