Chapter 265 The Courtroom 3

Chapter 265: Chapter 265 The Courtroom 3

The words landed hard.

Serena and Alpha Sebastian went silent. The color drained from their faces as the courtroom screens went dark.

Mason recovered first. He rose and held up the signed agreement.

"Your Honor, we have a written investment contract. It identifies the parties, the project, and the payment schedule. That supports a business relationship, not a personal gift."

Susan stood slowly.

"A contract can be evidence of an agreement," she said. "It is not proof that the agreement was real."

She walked to the evidence table, her heels clicking against the floor.

"This document contains no project registration, no approved budget, no research milestones, no invoices, and no records showing that Mr. Hale received anything in return. It promises Serena a fixed monthly payment of three hundred thousand dollars, but it contains no investment risk, no repayment terms, and no dividend structure."

She lifted the contract toward the judge.

"It calls the payments research funding. The financial records tell a different story. This was a private transfer of marital funds disguised as a business deal."

Mason rose again. "That is an argument, not a finding. My client published research during the relevant period."

"Then she should be able to show how the money was spent," Susan replied.

The judge looked toward the defense table.

"Ms. Winthrop, can you provide project filings, research budgets, expense reports, or records of any return paid to Mr. Hale?"

Serena’s throat tightened.

She had four published papers. One had appeared in a respected journal, and three in smaller publications. But none of them came with a complete accounting of twelve million dollars.

Mason had asked for the records before. Serena had never produced them.

The judge turned back to Mason. "Counsel?"

Mason’s expression hardened. He had a contract, but no paper trail to support the business behind it.

That was when Eira rose.

"Your Honor, I’d like to submit additional evidence."

The courtroom went still.

Alpha Sebastian looked confused. Serena looked frightened.

Only Eira, Susan, and Alpha Killian seemed prepared for what came next.

Alpha Killian leaned back in his seat, his silver eyes moving across the room with quiet confidence.

"What is it?" Lila whispered.

"Watch," he murmured.

Susan carried a thick binder to the clerk. Eira kept her eyes on Serena.

"One question before the exhibits are admitted," Eira said. "Are you still claiming that every dollar Sebastian transferred to you went toward research?"

Serena lifted her chin. She could not believe Eira had traced the money so quickly.

"Yes."

Susan opened the binder.

The courtroom screen lit up with a clean financial timeline. Alpha Sebastian’s monthly transfers appeared in one column. Serena’s documented expenses appeared beside them.

Luxury hotels in Paris and Milan. Private restaurants. Designer boutiques. Jewelry stores. First-class travel.

Redacted bank statements, credit card records, wire confirmations, and receipts followed. Each payment was connected to a transfer from Alpha Sebastian’s account within days, sometimes hours.

A murmur spread through the gallery.

Serena’s expression went blank.

Susan did not give her time to recover. She continued before Serena could interrupt.

"Your Honor, the plaintiff is submitting a forensic accounting report tracing the disputed funds. It compares Ms. Winthrop’s documented income and assets with the transfers she received from Mr. Hale and the expenses she incurred throughout her time in Europe."

She turned a page.

"The records show that approximately sixty-seven percent of the disputed funds went directly toward Ms. Winthrop’s personal expenses. Luxury hotels in Paris and Milan. Designer clothing. Jewelry. Private travel. High-end restaurants."

A comparison chart appeared on the courtroom screen.

"We found no research reports, business statements, invoices, or accounting records to support the claim that these payments funded a legitimate investment. Mr. Hale received no documented return."

Susan faced the judge.

"The defense may call this research funding, but the evidence shows that community funds were diverted to support Ms. Winthrop’s lifestyle."

A low murmur spread through the gallery.

Mason’s scalp prickled. He had no answer.

Alpha Sebastian had gone completely still in his chair, staring at Serena as if he no longer recognized the woman in front of him.

Twelve million dollars.

For years, he had believed he was protecting her future and supporting her research. Now the evidence was on a screen for everyone to see.

Only a fraction of the money had reached a laboratory. The rest had paid for designer gowns, hotel suites, private dinners, jewelry, and gala appearances where Serena smiled beside powerful men.

His chest tightened.

A rough, broken sound escaped him as he bent forward and covered his face with both hands.

Eira watched the tendons stand out along his neck. When he finally lowered his hands, his eyes were bloodshot. Regret and humiliation filled them.

She gave a quiet, humorless laugh.

Serena reached for him.

"Sebastian, it isn’t what it looks like."

He stared at her, something inside him breaking.

"Don’t."

She grabbed his sleeve.

"Please, listen to me—"

He pulled his arm free.

The movement was small. Almost nothing.

But Serena was already off balance.She stumbled backward and fell.

Her shoulder struck first, followed by the side of her head. A shocked gasp swept through the gallery.

"Mr. Hale!" the judge snapped. "Step away from her. Bailiff, get medical assistance."

Serena lay on the floor, tears spilling down her face. She looked toward her parents.

Robert and Jennifer stared back, horrified and furious. Neither moved toward her.

Then Alpha Victor rose.

His hand shook as he pointed at Serena.

"You lied to all of us."

His voice broke. He took one unsteady step, swayed, and collapsed beside the gallery seats.

"Dad!"

Robert and Jennifer rushed to Alpha Victor’s side. The bailiff immediately called for paramedics as they supported him out of the courtroom.

Neither of them looked back at Serena.

She remained on the floor, alone.

Near the back of the courtroom, Lainey watched her with a new emotion beneath her soft expression.

Doubt.

For the first time, she wondered whether a woman like Serena belonged anywhere near her brother.