Chapter 96

Chapter 93 Playing by Their Rules.
Getting close to Kasonwaseven harder than Sierrahadexpected. She had always known he was a terrible person, butshehadn’trealized just how twisted hereallywas–or that there were so many others likehim.
“Want to talk about it? I can be a good listener.” Jonathan studied her for a moment beforespeaking.
Sierra stayed silent for a while before finally saying, “I ranintosomething today that reminded me of myself. It made me realize that all the struggling I did during those three years maybe it was nothing more than entertainment for someone
clse”
The thought was sickening. She had fought so hard to survive, but to some people, her suffering had been nothing morethan
agame.
Shane had probably been one of those spectators. Maybe there were others,too.
Jonathan’s expression darkened at her words, though his glasses hid the sharp glint in his eyes.
Hehadnever asked Sierra about what had happened to her in prison, norhadhe bothered to look into it.
Jonathan had always seen potential in Sierra, but that was it. She wasn’t someone he needed to concern himself with.
But now, hearing her say this, something about it unsettled him. For the first time, he felt an urge tofindout exactly what had happened to her during those three years.
Suppressing the thought, he finally said, “That’s what’s bothering you? Ifthat’sall, then you shouldn’t dwell on it. It doesn’t matter what they saw or what they thought. You did what you had to do to survive. That’s all that matters. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Staying alive isn’t a crime.”
Sierra thoughtabouthiswords, and for the first timethatnight, the weight in her chest eased a little. She let out a dry chuckle. “It’s notthatI feel guilty–I just refuse to be anyone’s plaything. Even a show requiresaticket. Did they ever ask for my permission before making me part of their entertainment?”
She wouldn’t let Shane off the hook.AndKason? He was no different.
Everything that had happened tonight was recorded on her hidden camera. But it wasn’t enough–notyet. She needed stronger evidence, something that could bring Kason down for good.
Seeing the determination spark back to life in her eyes, Jonathan smirked. Sierra always managed to surprise him. He never knew what her next move would be or how she’d pull it off–there was something about her that felt unstoppable.
“Oh, by the way, I heard the school backed down. Was that the Xander family’s doing?” Jonathan asked, remembering something he had overheard earlier.
Sierrashookherhead. They’reprobablystill at the hospital with Denise. When it comes to the Xander family,nothingis moreimportantthanher health.”
That day, Evan had asked her to come along to the hospital, but shehadrefused, assuming Denisewasfaking it.
Then, when she checked the school’s online forum yesterday,shesaw that Denisehadactually collapsed in her dorm. And it looked serious.
Many students expressed concern,butsome found the timing suspicious–Denise hadcollapsedright when Sierrawasgetting all the attention.
A few even speculatedthatshe had passed out out ofjealousy.
Those comments were few and quickly buried, but they were there.
Sierra had already started looking into what had really happened.
She wasn’t going to take the blame for something she hadn’t done.
10:50 AM
Chapter 93 Playing by Their Rules
+8 Pearls
Sierra wouldn’t let it slide.
Hearing Sierra’s words. Jonathan was genuinely surprised. Even now, the Xander family was still standing by Denise?
He had noideahow they had managed to secure their place among Maviston’s elite–their judgment was downright terrible.
Sierra had already proven her worth with thatlivestream. If the Xander family had any sense, they’d be doing everything in their power to win her back, not wasting their time coddling Denise.
But in this case, Jonathan had misjudged the situation.
Eleanor and Sean might have been oblivious, but Franklin, Bradley, and Evan knew exactly what they had lost.
Franklin replayed Sierra’s livestream several times before finally asking, “Are you sure she did this all on her own?”
He couldn’t believe it–the daughter he had overlooked for so long was actually a genius. And not just any genius, but one whose skills were directly connected to the family business.
“Dad, I was there. I saw everything.” Evan said, his expression conflicted. “She did it all on her own.”
Even he had to admit he probably wouldn’t have been able to answer those questionsasflawlessly as Sierra had.
Franklin let out a slow breath before asking. “When did she even learn all of this?”
Butnoone had an answer.