When the Flame of Love Fades (Sierra) novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110 Suspicion and Tension

48 Pearls

Sierra agreed with Abigail’s analysis. In the past, Dickson had his mother, 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 him as you can.

Abigail’s words left Sierra feeling conflicted. Between her classes, taking care of Lily, and working in the lab, she barely had any 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. Cleaning equipment alone takes forever. Dr. Zahn said Grandma’s condition is stable for now, but that’s only temporary–it’s not a cure.”

Dickson knew that Sierra’s research was for developing 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 bring a book, 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,

Even though Dickson didn’t fully understand, he still felt included.

But that afternoon, Sierra received an unexpected call from Jonathan.

“Did you read the two research papers I sent you?”

“Yeah, I did. Why?”

“I just sent you an email. Take a look:

Jonathan hung up, and Sierra immediately checked her inbox.

As soon as she opened the forwarded report, her expression turned serious.

If the two papers Jonathan had sent earlier had research that resembled her work, this report was completely different–it was identical.

Similar ideas were one thing, but the equations in the report were exactly the same as the ones she was using. That wasn’t a coincidence.

Before she could fully process it, Jonathan called again.

“Is your lab secure?”

Sierra glanced around before answering carefully. “Someone helped me find this space. I later found out it belongs to the Richardson family. But I’ve checked–there aren’t any cameras.”

“Are the materials you use provided by them?” Jonathan asked.

Sierra pressed her lips together before replying, “Most of them are?”

In that moment, she realized what had happened.

This wasn’t the place to discuss it. Jonathan told her to go home immediately.

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 escalate so quickly.

Jonathan’s gaze darkened. “What about Dickson?”