Chapter 152 A Hundred Million on the Table

"That much?" Luna Margaret sank back in her chair.

Eira did not blink. "Sebastian has always earned well, especially after the Carter Group investment. One successful product launch could bring in huge bonuses and stock dividends. He had the money to burn."

The wife had not known. Neither had his parents or his sister. Only Serena knew. She had not just known about the money. She had bled him dry.

Luna Margaret’s face flushed. "Is there really no way to handle this without going to court? We can’t have a scandal."

"I’m naming Serena in the lawsuit. Sebastian won’t be the defendant." Eira raised an eyebrow. "So what are you worried about? "

"What am I worried about?" Luna Margaret lowered her voice. "Your lawsuit will drag the Hale name through the mud. Sebastian just lost a major contract, and the shareholders are already looking for someone to blame. Add a scandal involving his mistress, and they’ll tear him apart. "

Eira leaned back."Think carefully. We’re talking about one hundred million dollars."

"And what does that money have to do with us?" Luna Margaret shot back. "If Serena has to return it, the money goes to you. You and Sebastian are already divorced. Recovered assets belong to you, not the Hale family. "

Eira studied her."So how much of the Hale family’s share do you want?"

Luna Margaret’s eyes sharpened.

"Seventy-thirty. Seventy percent goes to us. That was my son’s money in the first place. If you’re serious, I’ll find the evidence myself."

She sounded confident, full of the righteous fury of a mother defending her son. Luna Margaret believed she was the only person who could uncover proof of Sebastian and Serena’s affair. She also assumed Eira would not want to do the dirty work herself.

She was wrong. Eira could get the evidence. It was only a matter of time. She had no intention of rewarding Luna Margaret’s greed.

"Then I’ll find another way."

Eira stood.

Luna Margaret froze.

"Wait." She gave in. "Fifty-fifty."

Eira remained standing.

"That’s more than fair," Luna Margaret snapped. "Don’t push your luck."

"You’re the one who needs to think this through," Eira said calmly. "If I don’t sue, Serena keeps the money. You get nothing, and I get nothing. As Sebastian’s former spouse, I can claim a portion of assets acquired during our marriage. What legal right does the Hale family have to the money Serena took from Sebastian directly?"

Luna Margaret opened her mouth, but no answer came.

What right did they have? Alpha Sebastian had handed the money to Serena himself.

Luna Margaret drained her glass of water and finally forced out, "Sixty-forty."

Silence settled between them.

Three minutes later, Luna Margaret slammed her hand on the table, a final, frustrated surrender. "Fine. Seventy percent for you. Thirty percent for us."

Eira nodded. "Deal."

"We’re putting it in writing. I want everything in black and white, or you’ll cut me out later."

"Of course. But not until you deliver usable evidence. If your proof falls apart after I’ve already secured my own, you won’t get paid."

"You’re a shark." Luna Margaret glared at her. "How did I never see that before?"

Eira almost smiled.She had always been careful with money.

Luna Margaret left in a fury to find a cab.

Eira sat back down, took a sip of water, and enjoyed the silence.

It lasted less than a minute.

A shadow fell over her table.

"What were you and my mother talking about?" Isabella demanded. "I heard something about money. What money?"

Eira looked up. "Where were you?"

"You’re the one hiding things." Isabella dropped into the chair across from her. "I was sitting right over there."

She had followed Luna Margaret into the café and slipped into a corner booth. Unfortunately, she had been too far away to hear much. The only thing she had clearly caught was her mother’s shocked cry, "That much?"

She had failed to find Serena on the yacht the night before, and Alpha Sebastian had driven her home before she could get any answers. She still had no idea where Serena lived.

"Is this about the money my brother lent Serena?" Isabella leaned across the table.

"Lent?" Eira leaned back. "Who told you that? Sebastian?"

"My brother did."

Eira’s expression stayed calm. "Then he lied to you."

Isabella’s face hardened. "You weren’t exactly more important to him than Serena."

"He doesn’t matter to me anymore."

Isabella scoffed. "Then why did you drag out the divorce for so long?"

Eira ignored the bait.

"That money wasn’t a loan," she said. "It was Sebastian’s slush fund for Serena. He gave her whatever she wanted, while you got nothing."

The words hit hard. Isabella slapped both hands on the table.

"Do you know where she lives?"

Eira raised her brows. "She never invited you over? The penthouse Sebastian bought for her is nicer than your place."

"Where?" Isabella demanded, her voice tight.

"The Celestia Residences. I can take you there."

Alpha Killian’s Sterling Group records had given Eira the building, floor, and unit number.

The moment Isabella heard the name, she understood why her mother had nearly passed out.

"Take me. Now."

"Gladly."

The Celestia Residences allowed only residents and approved guests inside. Fortunately, Sterling Group had developed the building.

Eira sent Lila a quick message: Meet me at Celestia. ASAP. Big trouble.

Lila arrived within minutes, clearly delighted by the promise of chaos. She owned several units in the building and got them through the lobby without difficulty.

But getting into Serena’s actual apartment still required individual keycards.

"Call Serena," Eira told Isabella. "Tell her Sebastian is looking for her. She’ll come down."

Isabella pulled out her phone, still furious.

"She ignored me last night and made me look like an idiot."

"She was busy," Lila said sweetly. "She was doing a swan dive off a yacht."

Isabella stared at her, but the call connected before she could ask what that meant.

"Serena?" Isabella said. "My brother and I are downstairs, but we don’t have a keycard. Can you come let us in?"

Serena did not suspect a thing.

She agreed to come down at once.

Eira and Lila exchanged a look.

Showtime.