Chapter 199 The Brain Trust

Miles and Susan were waiting in the seating area when Eira and Alpha Killian walked in. Susan closed her laptop, while Miles set his coffee aside and got straight to business.

He slid a tablet across the low table. "Ms. Crawford, this is everything we found overseas. Bank records, leases, hotel receipts, event photos. It’s all dated, sourced, and cross-referenced."

He opened a manila folder and spread several photographs across the table.

"Serena kept a low profile for her first six months in Europe," Miles said. "Then Alpha Sebastian’s money started coming in."

Eira picked up a photo. Serena stood under a crystal chandelier with a champagne flute in one hand, surrounded by men in tuxedos. A designer gown hugged her figure, and diamonds glittered at her throat.

"After that, she upgraded fast," Miles continued. "Luxury rentals, five-star hotels, designer clothes, private events, and restaurants with month-long waitlists. She spent more time networking at fundraisers and launch parties than she did in a lab."

He tapped the financial summary on the screen.

"Alpha Sebastian wired her money for more than three years. "

Susan leaned forward. "Do we have enough to trace the money back to marital assets?"

"Yes. The transfers came from accounts opened after Eira and Alpha Sebastian registered their mate bond. We also found payments routed through Hale Group, but I flagged those separately. Outside counsel will need to determine whether they were authorized business expenses."

Eira turned to the next photograph and went still.

Ryan Sullivan stood beside Serena with one hand resting low on her waist. Unlike the other men in the pictures, he wasn’t looking at the camera. He was looking at Serena.

So this was how they had met.

Ryan had money, influence, and connections Serena could use.

Apparently, she did have a type.

Useful men.

Alpha Killian glanced at the photograph in Eira’s hand. His silver-gray eyes narrowed.

"Something you recognize?"

Eira set the photograph down, holding back a smile. "I’d pay good money to see Sebastian’s face when he gets this."

She paused.

"Vincent’s too."

Alpha Sebastian had always been Serena’s biggest supporter. Vincent had defended her almost as fiercely. Neither man would enjoy learning that Serena had a history with Ryan Sullivan they knew nothing about.

Alpha Killian pictured their reactions, and the corner of his mouth lifted.

Susan pulled the tablet closer. "Here’s the rough breakdown. Alpha Sebastian transferred more than one hundred million dollars over three years. About thirty million can be tied to real research. At least sixty million paid for Serena’s apartment, travel, cars, clothes, and social life. We’re still tracing the rest."

"He called it a private investment," Eira said.

"He can call it whatever he wants," Susan replied. "There are no shares, repayment terms, progress reports, or research results. Most of the money went straight to Serena’s personal expenses. We’ll argue that Alpha Sebastian disguised unauthorized gifts as business investments."

"How much can we recover?"

"You can demand a full accounting and seek reimbursement for your share of the community property. Pack law gives us another claim because Alpha Sebastian transferred bonded assets without your consent." Susan tapped the screen. "I can’t promise we’ll recover every dollar. That depends on the records and whether Serena knew where the money came from."

"The pregnancy may keep Alpha Sebastian paying her bills," Alpha Killian said.

"Then we keep tracing the payments," Susan replied. "If the timeline becomes important, we’ll request the necessary records through the court."

Eira nodded. "What’s next?"

"We preserve the evidence, send a demand letter, and give them a deadline to respond. If they ignore it, we file."

"No settlement," Eira said.

Susan met her eyes. "Understood. The letter gives them notice. It doesn’t mean you have to negotiate."

She closed the file.

"Serena spent years living large on money that came out of your marriage. We don’t have to make this easy for her."

Eira looked at the photograph again.

Serena had taken enough shots at her.

It was time to return one.

"Send the letters," Eira said.

"How long do we give them?" Susan asked. "Fifteen days is standard. Ten is aggressive but fair."

"Three," Alpha Killian said.

Susan shook her head. "For a nine-figure claim? Their attorneys would call it a stunt."

"Ten, then," Eira said.

"Ten days to respond and provide an initial accounting," Susan clarified. "If they refuse, we file. If they start moving assets, we go to court sooner."

"Can we keep this quiet until the letters arrive?" Eira asked.

"We can control our side. No leaks and no calls."

Alpha Killian looked at Susan. "Send Serena’s letter to the Winthrop estate and her last known address. Send Alpha Sebastian’s to his home and copy his attorney."

"If Hale accounts were involved, the company gets a separate preservation notice," Susan said. "I’ll use certified mail, overnight delivery, and email to authorized counsel. Their response is due at five p.m. Pacific, ten days from tomorrow."

"No room to play dumb," Miles said.

"Exactly."

Susan closed the file.

The letters would not freeze the money or guarantee a win. They would force Alpha Sebastian and Serena to respond while Susan prepared to file.

If they moved the assets, she would go to court.

If they stayed silent, she would sue.

Simple. Clean. It reminded Eira of a Sterling border patrol closing in on rogues who had crossed too deep into Pack territory. No wasted motion. No open route of escape.