Chapter 432 A Dangerous Gamble

“This can’t go on. If we keep this up, your organs are going to start shutting down. We need to give you another dose,” the doctor’s voice was firm.

Sierra and her team hadn’t rested in days. After breaking down the components of the drug, they managed to develop a temporary substitute that could relieve Johnathan’s symptoms. But it came with a price—addictive properties.

Everyone knew it wasn’t something that could be used repeatedly. But right now, survival came first.

Johnathan didn’t protest. He knew exactly how close his body was to its limit.

This time, the drug took longer to kick in than the last.

A shadow passed through Johnathan’s eyes. At this rate, the drug’s effectiveness would only continue to diminish.

He was backed into a corner—and yet, he still hadn’t received any kind of contact or offer from the organization. That was the most puzzling part.

If they didn’t want him dead, then by now, they should’ve reached out to him.

But no one had.

Meanwhile, Sierra was locked in a race against death. Failure after failure, she kept starting over, refusing to give up.

At last, after Johnathan received his fifth dose, she developed a new drug.

There wasn’t time for long trials or simulations. The only option was to test it on Johnathan himself.

But when the moment finally came, Sierra froze.

She believed the drug would work–but what if it didn’t? What if something went wrong?

She couldn’t even finish the thought.

Seeing her hesitation, Johnathan’s heart ached. In just over ten days, Sierra had wasted away to skin and bones.

She hadn’t left the lab once—not even when he personally went to look for her.

He’d heard from the professors that she barely ate or slept, burying herself in research without pause.

He knew exactly why she was doing it. So, he didn’t go to the lab again—because he already understood her answer.

If the roles were reversed, he would have done the same.

Seeing her struggle now, Johnathan gently repeated the same words he’d said before. “I trust you.”

The moment he spoke, even Wayne couldn’t help but frown.

Chase was there too, and couldn’t stay silent.

“We’re not out of time yet. The current drug still works for now. Why don’t we wait until it’s safe?"

The senior researchers agreed. Everyone thought it was too risky. Even Sierra wasn’t confident.

Watching her hesitate, Johnathan said softly, “Then let’s do it tomorrow.”

He had just taken a dose that morning. The effects would hold for a little while.

More than anything, he just wanted to be with Sierra tonight.

Wayne caught on and waved everyone else out, leaving the room to the two of them.

“Come here.”

Johnathan opened his arms. “Let me hold you for a while. Don’t think about anything else. Let’s just rest for tonight.”

He knew she hadn’t eaten or slept properly in days.

“Okay.”

Sierra leaned against his shoulder, comforted by the familiar scent of him. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep.

Johnathan gently brushed her face with his hand, eyes filled with pain.

Outside in the courtyard, Wayne and Chase stood silently, watching.

“Dad, I can’t take that risk,” Wayne said grimly. “If anything happens to Johnathan, I wouldn’t know how to face Wendy.”

Wayne’s concern matched Chase’s. But they were out of options.

They didn’t even know what drug had been used on Johnathan. They couldn’t even attempt human trials.

“Let him decide for himself,” Wayne said quietly. “This is all we can do. Has anyone reached out to you?”

Chase shook his head.

Wayne’s expression darkened with helplessness. He wished someone–anyone–had tried to use Johnathan as leverage against the Wynn family. At least then, there would’ve been room for negotiation.

But no one had made a move. And at this point, he truly couldn’t understand what their enemies were after.

If they had really wanted Johnathan dead, they could’ve injected something fatal from the beginning.

Instead, they even sent a temporary solution to keep him going.

None of it made any sense.

“I really am getting old,” the old man muttered.

His grandson was on the brink, and he didn’t even understand what the enemy wanted. It was humiliating.

Still, Wayne was Wayne. He quickly steadied himself and said, “We have to prepare for the worst.”

“Bring Jose back.”

“Dad!”

Chase’s tone was firm. “I won’t bring Jose back.”

“No matter how this ends, Jose is not coming back.”