Chapter 269 A Thoughtful Glance

Chapter 269: Chapter 269 A Thoughtful Glance

Eira and Claire turned with Lila.

A middle-aged man stood behind them in a soft gray cashmere sweater, tailored trousers, and wire-rimmed glasses.

"Uncle Yale," Lila said.

"Lila." His gaze moved over her friends before settling on Eira. For half a second, his expression went still.

Eira felt the weight of his attention and offered a polite nod.

By the time he looked back at Lila, Yale had already composed himself.

"Here for lunch?" he asked casually.

"Bellini’s," Lila said. "A few people haven’t arrived yet, so we’re just killing time."

Yale glanced toward the grand stone entrance of the Clearhaven. "I came down with Henry. We have a little business to handle."

His eyes returned to Eira.

"And you are?"

Lila immediately linked her arm through Eira’s. "This is Eira, my best friend. And this is Claire."

"Eira. It’s a pleasure."

Yale gave her a courteous nod, then headed toward the Clearhaven. At the entrance, he paused and looked back.

The glance was thoughtful, almost searching.

Eira met his eyes.

Yale smiled. It was warm, paternal, and perfectly controlled.

Then he disappeared inside.

Eira frowned slightly.

Lila leaned closer. "That was Yale Crawford. Henry’s cousin from a collateral branch of the family. Technically, he’s a great-uncle to Vincent and Lainey, but the main branch treats his side like an afterthought."

"That sounds pleasant."

"Crawfords aren’t exactly known for being warm and fuzzy." Lila lowered her voice. "Henry’s the direct-line heir. Everyone wants access to him, so Yale probably came ahead to smooth things over before the real power players arrive."

"To scout the room?"

"Exactly. Henry and your favorite Ice Alpha probably won’t show up for another hour or two."

Before Eira could ask what she meant, Barry and Fiona appeared from the parking lot. Susan followed a moment later.

The group settled into Bellini’s private dining room, where amber pendant lights glowed against dark wood and a stone fireplace crackled in the corner. The place felt less like a restaurant and more like an upscale mountain lodge.

Within minutes, servers brought out burrata with heirloom tomatoes, rosemary focaccia, and braised short ribs served in sizzling cast-iron skillets.

Lila reached for the champagne list.

Miles cleared his throat. "Miss Sterling, let’s not give Alpha Killian a reason to worry."

"We’re not amateurs."

"No one said you were."

Eira hid a smile. "What do you want to drink?"

"Grape juice."

"Coming right up."

As Eira placed the order, Lila leaned toward her.

"Killian totally planted Miles here to babysit us."

"He told Miles to watch us right in front of everyone."

Lila paused. "Okay. Fair point."

When the plates arrived, Eira lifted her glass of grape juice.

"To all of you," she said. "Thank you for showing up."

The others raised their glasses.

Laughter filled the private room, warm as the firelight.

--

Across town at Mercy General, there was no celebration.

Victor had been rushed back to the ICU after collapsing in court. This time, a ventilator breathed for him while he lay unconscious beneath the harsh white lights.

Robert and Jennifer sat outside the ICU with their heads bowed. Jennifer couldn’t bring herself to look at her brother Marcus or his wife, Olivia.

They didn’t need to say a word. Their expressions said enough.

When Alpha Victor showed the slightest sign of waking, Marcus refused to let Robert and Jennifer into the room. They stood helplessly outside the door until Serena arrived.

Jennifer struck her before Serena could get a word out.

The slap snapped Serena’s face to the side. A red mark bloomed across her cheek.

"Serena Winthrop," Jennifer whispered, horrified. "How could you do this to yourself? How could you humiliate our entire family?"

For once, Serena didn’t fight back.

She dropped to her knees. "Mom, Dad, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I did something terrible, and Grandpa ended up in the ICU because of me."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"But I’ve already lost everything. I was cut from the Sovereign Processor Initiative. Everyone knows me as a homewrecker. The baby is gone, and my body..." Her voice broke. "I don’t even know what’s going to happen to me now."

Robert’s face twisted with pain and anger.

"You never deserved that position in the first place," he said. "Being removed from the project only puts you back where you started. That isn’t what you should be crying about."

His voice cracked before he could finish.

How could he say it aloud? His daughter had become the other woman. She had lived on money taken from a married man and dragged the family name through the mud. Even the miscarriage felt like another cruel price for everything she had done.

Robert pulled Jennifer against him when her shoulders began to shake.

Serena crawled a step closer. "I was wrong. I swear I was wrong. Please forgive me. I’m your only daughter."

Jennifer turned away and wiped her face.

"Serena, I..." She couldn’t finish. "What happened in court?"

Serena lowered her head.

That was answer enough.

With the evidence stacked against her, Victory would have been the real surprise. The court had ordered her to return the money, the property, and every traceable asset. The total exposure was far greater than the amount listed in the original demand.

"Mom, how’s Grandpa?" Serena asked. "Can I see him?"

Jennifer gave a hollow laugh. "I can’t even get into the room."

Serena’s brows drew together. "Aunt Olivia is keeping you out?"

"Why shouldn’t she?" Robert snapped. "She’s protecting your grandfather. She doesn’t want us upsetting him again."

The ICU doors opened.

Marcus stepped into the hall. His gaze landed on Serena kneeling on the floor, then on the handprint across her face.

His expression hardened.

He struck her once more.

"Serena, listen carefully. If anything happens to your grandfather, you and your parents are finished with this family. You will never set foot in the Winthrop house again."

Serena stared up at him, stunned.

"Your grandfather gave you everything," Marcus continued. "The best schools, the best clothes, every connection he had. And this is how you repay him?"

He pulled out his phone.

"I’ve already had the housekeeper pack your things and ship them to your parents’ place. Don’t come back begging."

Serena’s pupils trembled.

She had grown up in that house, better fed, better dressed, and better educated than her own cousin. Every family resource had been poured into her.

Now, in a single afternoon, they had taken it all away.