Chapter 357: You Are Her Strength

“Quinn…” Sierra couldn’t help but step forward and hug her. “Don’t blame yourself for the evil done by others.”

Some people are born monsters. You have to stay strong. You still have Dora. You’re her support, her shelter.

Hearing that, Quinn immediately clutched Sierra tightly and broke down in painful sobs. Even Stone and the others couldn’t bear to watch the scene without feeling awful inside.

Maybe it was Sierra’s words that helped—Quinn quickly calmed down again. She looked much stronger than before, no longer slipping in and out of lucidity.

Seeing that she was truly stable, they all headed together to the hospital room. Dora was still unconscious. Maybe it was because of all the suffering she’d endured, but Sierra thought she looked much thinner now. Her babyish, round cheeks had completely sunken in.

The sight made Sierra’s heart ache. A thought rose up in her mind. But before she could say anything, Quinn beat her to it.

“Johnathan, once Dora wakes up, I’m taking her back with me. We’ll live in that little apartment you gave me.”

Johnathan didn’t answer right away, but judging by his expression, he wasn’t very supportive of the idea. Quinn could guess what he was worried about. She said, “Johnathan, I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry. I’m fine now. I won’t fall apart again. Sierra was right. I’m Dora’s support now. I have to stay strong.”

Seeing that she seemed to be in a good state, Johnathan didn’t argue.

Mateo, always the most emotional, looked at the small figure lying there and said furiously, “I’ll tear Albanos apart if I have to. I’m going to find that bastard.”

“Count me in,” Stone added from the side. Everyone else agreed to help too. Quinn’s face filled with gratitude. “Thank you.”

Johnathan watched her for a moment, then said, “Don’t be afraid. It wasn’t Timothy.”

At the mention of Timothy’s name, Quinn visibly paled, but it wasn’t as bad as it used to be.

“Stay out of this. Focus on taking care of yourself and Dora. Leave the rest to me.” Johnathan continued. “For your safety, I’ll arrange two bodyguards for you. Whenever you go out, take them with you.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Quinn didn’t argue. She accepted it directly. After all, she owed Johnathan more than just that.

While they were talking, Dora woke up. Sierra noticed it first and quickly signaled Quinn. Quinn cried out excitedly, “Dora!” She reached out to touch her, but Dora flinched away, a flash of fear crossing her face.

Dora’s reaction was so intense that everyone noticed it. The atmosphere in the hospital room suddenly turned heavy. Quinn’s expression crumpled. She looked completely stunned, unable to understand why her daughter was avoiding her.

Sierra quickly stepped in, “Don’t panic yet. Dora just woke up. She’s been through something terrifying. It’s normal for her to be scared.”

After comforting Quinn, Sierra turned to Dora, speaking gently. “Dora, do you remember who we are?”

Dora stared at Sierra for a long moment before she finally gave a small nod. Seeing that she still recognized them, everyone let out a breath of relief.

“The bad guys are gone. You’re safe now. We’ll all stay with you. I was really worried about you these past two days.” Sierra’s gentle voice seemed to soothe Dora a little. The fear in her eyes faded.

When Quinn tried to touch her again, Dora still trembled but didn’t pull away this time. Everyone standing nearby felt a deep sting in their hearts. What a sweet child, yet she had been pushed into such misery. This only made them even more determined to find the culprit and tear him apart.

Seeing that Quinn and Dora were doing better together, the others exchanged glances and quietly left the room, giving them some private time.

“Dora’s safe now. Let’s go find that bastard,” Mateo said as he was about to leave, but Johnathan stopped him.

“Don’t rush. That guy took Dora’s blood. He must have had a reason. If I’m right, it’s connected to the experiments she was subjected to before.”

They wouldn’t find answers through official channels. They had to dig into the underground.

If nothing else, Mateo knew his way around the black markets in the Imperial Capital very well. Mateo and Stone left first. Sierra and Johnathan stayed behind for a little while longer to make sure Quinn and Dora didn’t need anything else.

“I don’t get it,” Sierra said suddenly. “If they went through all that trouble to take Dora, why not just keep her? Why only draw her blood?”

If that was all they wanted, they didn’t even need to kidnap her.