Chapter 129 When the Name Stops Working

At the Winthrop residence, the silence was one sharp word away from breaking.

Alpha Victor had just returned from the hospital. He sat pale but alert in his favorite leather chair while Robert and Jennifer stood across from Serena, both exhausted and furious.

Jennifer spoke first.

"How did you think any of this was okay?" Her voice shook. "You nearly destroyed your career and dragged Grandpa’s reputation into a federal investigation."

"But I didn’t leak anything." Serena crossed her arms. "If I had actually touched the core data, would I be standing here?"

Jennifer stared at her.

Robert looked ready to put his fist through the wall.

The moment Serena felt cornered, she turned to Alpha Victor.

"Grandpa..." She lowered her eyes. "I’m sorry. I know I messed up."

Robert’s jaw tightened. Of course. Serena still ran to Alpha Victor whenever things went south.

She had grown up in his house after he convinced Robert and Jennifer that he could give her better opportunities and put her closer to the center of Winthrop Pack politics. Serena had chosen him without hesitation.

Grandpa has more power than you. He can do more for me.

Her parents had hoped Alpha Victor would turn her ambition into something useful.

Instead, he had turned it into entitlement.

Serena lifted her chin. "I grew up with Grandpa. If anyone gets to lecture me, it’s him."

Robert let out a humorless laugh. "You’re not twelve anymore."

"You’re out of the Sovereign Processor Initiative," he continued. "Silix Institute won’t take you back. Your mother and I are taking you home to Arcata."

"No." Serena answered too fast. "I’m not going to Arcata."

"She isn’t going anywhere," Alpha Victor said. "Arcata is too small for her."

"Dad," Jennifer said sharply.

Robert stared at him. "You’ve spoiled her rotten."

Alpha Victor’s eyes went cold. "I raised her. I’ll deal with her. You two don’t get to walk in here and pretend you’re suddenly in charge."

Robert’s face darkened. Jennifer looked away, hurt flashing across her face.

Serena relaxed a little. Alpha Victor was still protecting her. He was the Alpha of Winthrop Pack, and his word still carried more weight than anyone else’s in the house.

Robert forced himself to stay calm.

"Fine. Then tell us what happens next. Serena has been released, but the investigation isn’t over. The federal case can still expand. If the Pack Council gets involved, every major research network could blacklist her. What are you going to do?"

Alpha Victor tapped the armrest once.

Then he looked at Serena.

"How close are you to Vincent Crawford?"

Serena’s eyes flickered. She understood immediately.

The Crawfords were a powerful Pack with money, lawyers, political connections, and influence inside the Pack Council. Vincent was a lawyer. If he agreed to help, he might keep Serena’s name out of the worst of the fallout.

"Vincent has always been good to me," she said carefully. "He usually helps when I ask. I’m close with his sister, Lainey, too."

Alpha Victor watched her for a moment. Serena kept her expression steady. He could always tell when she was overselling something.

"Set up a meeting. I want to speak with Vincent."

"Of course, Grandpa."

Her smile faded almost at once.

Alpha Victor noticed. "What now?"

"Silix is done with me." Serena pressed her lips together. "I can’t get back in."

"Silix isn’t the only research institute in California."

"But it’s the best." Her voice sharpened. "You were the one who taught me to aim for the top."

Alpha Victor studied her. "Do you have what it takes to work at the top?"

Serena froze.

"Grandpa!"

"What?" Alpha Victor said. "You pushed your way into a federal project, did none of the real work, claimed credit you hadn’t earned, and expected everyone to applaud. That’s not ambition. That’s entitlement in expensive clothes."

Serena’s eyes filled with tears.

For once, she had no answer.

Alpha Victor waved her off. "Keep your head down. No interviews. No social media. Don’t call friends who will sell your story to reporters. Stay quiet until this blows over."

Serena nodded reluctantly.

Alpha Victor’s expression hardened.

"There’s one more thing."

Her stomach dropped. "What?"

"You and Sebastian Hale. Explain."

The room went still.

Robert turned toward Alpha Victor. "What did you just say?"

Alpha Victor kept his eyes on Serena.

"I had someone look into it. Sebastian is married to Eira. Did you know that?"

Serena’s fingers tightened around her phone.

She could lie to her parents. Alpha Victor was different. He had raised her and knew every pause, every change in her voice, every excuse she used to avoid the truth.

"I..." She swallowed. "I knew."

Robert exploded.

"You got involved with a married Alpha?"

He took a step forward, but Jennifer caught his arm.

She looked at Serena, her face pale. "Is it true?"

"Mom, you don’t know the whole story." Serena’s voice rose, wounded and defensive. "Sebastian doesn’t love Eira. He never did. He married her because he was angry with me. He wanted me to come back."

She lifted her chin.

"And I did. He’s going to dissolve the bond and divorce her."

Robert stared at her.

"You should have waited until the formal mate separation was complete," he said through clenched teeth. "Instead, you played the other woman while his bond with Eira was still registered with the Pack Council."

Serena’s expression twisted.

"And the money?" Robert continued. "You took three hundred thousand dollars from him every month, didn’t you? He was still legally and formally bonded to Eira. Did you ever stop to think about what that money could mean in a separation settlement?"

"Sebastian gave it to me." Serena’s voice cracked with irritation. "He never complained. Grandpa never complained. Why are you acting like I robbed a bank?"

Jennifer flinched.

Robert looked at his daughter as if he barely recognized her.

She hadn’t made one mistake. She had built her entire life around believing she was entitled to whatever she wanted.

Alpha Victor rubbed his temple. "I would’ve warned you if it would’ve changed anything. It wouldn’t have. Now the question is whether Sebastian will actually divorce Eira. If he does, Hale Pack and Hale Group will pay for it."

Serena went quiet.

She wasn’t sure anymore.

Sebastian used to come running after one call. One tear, one reminder of the past, and he was hers again. But lately, his attention kept drifting toward Eira. His temper flared whenever Eira’s name came up. Even Serena’s old tricks had stopped working.

Jennifer saw the doubt on her face.

"If he loves you so much, why hasn’t he called since your release?"

Serena’s phone sat silent in her hand. Her messages to Sebastian showed Delivered. Nothing else.

"He’s dealing with the bid," she said. "Once he gets Hale Group under control, he’ll come."

Nobody believed her.

A moment later, the butler entered with two investigators, their Silix Institute badges clearly visible.

"Dr.Victor Winthrop," one said, "you need to come with us. We’re investigating unauthorized access attempts, personnel recommendations, and your role in the Sovereign Processor Initiative."

Serena went white.

Alpha Victor rose slowly. For once, the Winthrop name didn’t make the room fall silent.

It only made the silence worse.