Chapter 172 Doubts Take Root
After dinner, Eira and Vincent watched Dr. Shaw and the others leave. Once they were alone, Vincent turned to her.
"You and Sebastian were bonded. Did you really have to wreck his business?"
Eira turned to face him. "Are you upset because I cleared the way for Serena, or because I’m making it harder for you to pursue her?"
Vincent said nothing.
His silence told her everything.
"You looked pretty shocked when I mentioned the pregnancy," Eira said. "I’m guessing Serena never told you."
She picked up her bag.
"If you think I’m lying, ask her yourself."
That was all she needed.
Once Vincent contacted Serena, Eira would know exactly where she was hiding.
Vincent’s polite smile vanished.
"Serena has already been removed from the Sovereign Processor Initiative," he said. "She lost her position, her credit, and any claim to the project. Why bring up her pregnancy in front of Dr. Shaw?"
"Because she earned none of it."
Eira’s voice stayed calm.
"She forced her way in through her grandfather’s connections, tried to replace Professor Davies, and attempted to pass core data to Sebastian so Hale Group could win the bid. Being removed was the least she deserved."
Vincent’s gaze hardened. "You don’t understand how this world works. Power protects power. A lone wolf without a Pack behind her gets crushed."
"Then Serena should have thought about that before she betrayed the project."
"You already have a career and a future. Why keep going after her? She was just another woman Sebastian lied to. If he let her into his bed, he was never loyal to you."
Eira gave him a cool look. "Did I let Sebastian off the hook?"
Vincent fell silent.
"You’ve spent the last ten minutes blaming me for damaging his business. Now you want me to protect Serena from the consequences of hers."
"She never meant to come between bonded mates."
"She knew Sebastian was bonded."
"That’s impossible."
"It isn’t." Eira’s eyes sharpened. "And Sebastian funded her for years through his department. If you’re planning to defend her, Counselor, you should start by finding out how much of that money came from marital or Pack assets."
Vincent’s expression changed. "What are you talking about?"
"You’re an attorney. Ask Serena."
Headlights swept across the lot. Eira checked the license plate of the black Maybach waiting for her.
Vincent stepped closer. "Eira, if you know something, say it."
She opened the car door.
"Ask her where she’s been hiding. Ask her who paid her bills. Then ask yourself what happens when the court learns she conceived a child with a bonded Alpha during the separation period."
Vincent’s face went tight.
Eira slipped into the back seat.
"If you think I’m lying, call Serena."
The door shut.
The Maybach disappeared down the road, leaving Vincent alone under the parking lot lights.
His phone rang. Lainey.
he asked. The sharpness in his voice vanished. "Did you finish the shoot?" he asked. The sharpness in his voice vanished.
"Not yet. I haven’t booked my flight. If you’re still in Palo Alto, I’ll come to you. Mom and Dad said you pulled some strings out West recently. Was it for Serena?"
Vincent avoided the question. "I’ll be here for a while. Book your flight and send me the details. I’ll handle the hotel."
"Deal."
"And bring a coat. It’s cold here. If you show up in a tank top, I’m buying you a jacket at the airport."
"Yes, my dear brother."
"I’m serious."
"Then buy me one,Vincent. You know I can’t resist a good coat."
"You girls care more about looking cute than staying warm."
He paused before asking, "Are you still in touch with Serena?"
"I called yesterday. She hung up after two minutes. She sounded distracted."
Vincent looked toward the road where Eira’s car had vanished.
"Come tomorrow. Take Serena out for dinner."
"Why me? You’re in the same city. If you want to see her, ask her yourself."
"She’s had a lot going on. We’ll see."
They talked for another minute before hanging up.
Once he got home, Vincent dropped onto the couch and stared at his phone for a long moment.
[Are you pregnant?]He typed,
Then deleted it.
Instead, he remembered the first time Serena had helped him.
He remembered following her through unfamiliar streets, laughing as she talked about the work she loved. At twenty-seven, she was the first woman who had ever made him feel truly alive.
Now Eira’s words kept circling back.
Funding.
Was she trying to manipulate him, or had Alpha Sebastian really used Pack and marital money to support Serena? Had Serena known from the beginning that Alpha Sebastian was already bonded?
Vincent opened his messages and typed:
[Serena, Lainey is flying into town tomorrow. Are you free for dinner?]