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Chapter 113

Chapter 110 Suspicion and Tension
48 Pearls
Sierra agreed with Abigail’s analysis. In the past, Dickson hadhismother, Evelyn, and his sister, Daphne. Now, he had her and Lily.
“I think he trusts you a lot–maybe even depends on you,” Abigail observed. “While you were in the kitchen earlier, he kept looking over–live times, to be exact. Every time he saw you, he seemed to relax. If possible, try to spend as much time with himasyoucan.
Abigail’s words left Sierra feeling conflicted. Between her classes, taking care of Lily, and working in the lab,she barelyhadany extra time.
Still, she came up with a solution. The next day, when she was heading to the lab, she invited Dickson to join her. Anticipating his hesitation, she had already come up with an excuse.
“I’m overwhelmed with work.Cleaningequipment alone takes forever. Dr. Zahnsaid Grandma’scondition is stable for now, butthat’sonly temporary–it’s not a cure.”
Dickson knew that Sierra’s research wasfordeveloping medicine for Lily.
Even though he didn’t want to leave the house, he wanted to help Sierra and Lily. In the end, he agreed to go with her to the
lab.
Sierra told him to bringabook, so he could read whenever he wasn’t helping. Occasionally, she let him assist with small tasks and even explained parts of her research to him,
EventhoughDickson didn’t fully understand, he still felt included.
Butthatafternoon,Sierra received anunexpectedcallfromJonathan.
“Did youreadthe two research papers I sent you?”
“Yeah, I did. Why?”
“I just sentyouanemail. Take a look:
Jonathanhung up, and Sierra immediately checked her inbox.
As soon as she opened the forwarded report, her expression turned serious.
If the two papersJonathanhadsentearlier had research that resembled her work, this reportwascompletely different–itwasidentical.
Similarideas were onething, but the equations in the report were exactly the sameasthe ones she was using. That wasn’t a coincidence.
Before she could fullyprocessit, Jonathan calledagain.
“Is yourlabsecure?”
Sierra glanced around beforeansweringcarefully. “Someonehelped me find this space. I later found out it belongs to the Richardsonfamily. But I’ve checked–there aren’t any cameras.”
“Are the materials you use provided by them?” Jonathanasked.
Sierra pressed her lipstogetherbefore replying, “Most of them are?”
Inthatmoment, she realized whathadhappened.
Her research had been stolen.
This wasn’t theplacetodiscussit. Jonathan told her to go home immediately.
Chapter 110 Suspicion and Tension
Dickson noticed her change in expression but didn’t ask any questions
By the time they arrived home. Jonathan was already waiting for them.
“Head back first. I need to talk to Mr. Jonathan,” Sierra said to Dickson.
Dickson nodded and left. Once he was gone, Sierra made her way to Jonathan’s place.
The moment she stepped inside, she got straight to the point. “His equations are exactly the same as mine.”
Even the order hadn’t changed–it was impossible for that to be a coincidence.
+8 Pearls
Jonathan had already felt something was off when he first saw those two research papers, which was why he sent them to Sierra. But he hadn’t expected things to escalatesoquickly.
He pulled up the email again, reviewing the report carefully before asking. “I recognize this equation. You showed it to me before. Aside from me, who else has seen it?”
Sierra thought for a moment, then shook her head. “I haven’t given it to anyone else.”
Jonathan’sgazedarkened. “What about Dickson?”
Sierra froze, staring at him in disbelief. “Are you seriously suspecting Dickson?”
She hadn’t expected Jonathan to have that kind of suspicion towards him.
“I’m not accusing him,” Jonathan clarified. “But he’s been staying at your place. Maybe he overheard something or mentioned it to someone without realizing
“No.” Sierra said firmly. “Dickson would never do that.”
Herbrowsfurrowed slightly, displeased that jonathan would even suggest it.
Sierra’s unwavering defense of Dickson sparked an unexpected irritation in Jonathan. His voice grew colder. “Don’t forget,
he is?”
you’ve only known him for less than a month. Areyousure you know what kind of person ice grew colder. “Don’t forget,
The way Jonathan spoke felt unfamiliar to Sierra. Sierra instinctively took a small step back, the trust in her eyes replaced by
a hint of wariness.
Jonathan caught her reaction, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He had let his frustration get the best of him.
Jonathanhad always been cautious, never fully trusting anyone. The moment Sierra’s research was leaked, the first person that came to mind was Dickson.
What he hadn’t expected was Sierra’s unwavering defense. He had only pointed out a possibility, yet she shut it down without a second thought.
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