Chapter 66 Phase One, Complete

Eira’s heart skipped.

The last thing she needed was Alpha Sebastian realizing that she had been quietly moving the divorce forward.

To him, Eira was the safe choice. She kept his home running and made his life easy. Serena was the woman he wanted.

As long as Alpha Sebastian believed he could have both, he would never willingly let Eira go.

Time was running out. Once the Sovereign Processor Initiative launched, the value of Eira’s patents could rise overnight. If the divorce was delayed, Alpha Sebastian might try to claim that part of the research had been developed during their marriage. Even if he did not win, the dispute could tie up her patents and future royalties for years.

Alpha Sebastian spent three hundred thousand dollars a month on another woman but gave Eira three thousand to run their home.

Why should he get anywhere near the money from her work?

She replied at once.

[No.]

Then she added:

[I stopped by during lunch to pick up the care packages from the children’s home. Beatrice and my friends like the treats. Your family doesn’t, so I didn’t leave any behind.]

Alpha Sebastian felt a stab of guilt.

[My parents and Isabella just aren’t used to that kind of food. They didn’t mean to hurt you.]

[It’s fine.]

Eira had heard that excuse enough times.

She changed the subject.

[You worked late today. Will you be at the office late tomorrow too?]

The familiar concern in her message put Alpha Sebastian at ease.

[Yeah.]

[I’ll bring you dinner tomorrow.]

Alpha Sebastian smiled.

[I’ll forgive you for disappearing this week, but you owe me dinner twice a week from now on.]

Eira stared at the message.

Even now, he treated her cooking as something he was entitled to.

She typed one word.

[Okay.]

Then she searched for a private chef.

Alpha Sebastian knew the taste of her cooking. Over the years, Eira had adjusted every dish to suit him, down to the amount of salt, sugar, and seasoning.

Fortunately, she had written everything down.

She opened a file titled Alpha Sebastian’s Food Preferences and sent the dinner notes to a local chef who offered private meal delivery.

[Please follow the measurements exactly and pack everything in insulated containers.]

The chef confirmed the order.

That took care of Alpha Sebastian.

Eira opened her messages with Isabella.

When are you giving my box back?]

Isabella did not reply for half an hour.

Then a message appeared.

[Tomorrow night. Ten o’clock. The Sterling House]

Eira frowned.

Why would Isabella ask her to meet at a hotel?

--

At five the next evening, the private chef let Eira know Alpha Sebastian’s dinner was ready.

She booked a courier, and the insulated containers reached his office half an hour later.

Alpha Sebastian soon texted her. [Tastes just like yours. Perfect. Thanks, babe.]

Eira stared at the last word, then locked her phone.

At nine thirty, Eira checked the location Isabella had sent. The address led to Sterling House, the flagship hotel of Sterling Hospitality.

When Eira entered the lobby, Mrs. Black, the general manager of Sterling House, came over to greet her.

"Good evening, Miss Crawford."

Eira was surprised. "You remember me?"

"Of course. Mr. Sterling personally asked us to take care of you during your last visit." Mrs. Black smiled. "I also heard you’re his new executive assistant."

News traveled fast within Sterling Group.

"I’m off the clock tonight," Eira said. "I’m just meeting someone."

"Understood. If you need anything, let me know."

Mrs. Black gave her a business card and returned to the front desk.

Eira texted Isabella. [I’m here. Where are you?]

[Ninety-ninth floor. Observatory Lounge.]

Another message followed.

[You’re probably not on the guest list. Don’t worry. I’ll get you in.]

Eira ignored the smug tone.

Mrs. Black arranged elevator access before Isabella could even call downstairs.

The Observatory Lounge occupied the top floor of Sterling House. It had a restaurant, a wine bar, and several private seating areas for VIP guests.

Isabella was waiting in a corner booth. A cardboard box sat beside her feet, while half-eaten appetizers and two glasses of white wine covered the table.

She gave Eira a lazy wave. "Sit."

Eira went straight for the box.

Isabella planted one heel on top of it, denting the cardboard.

Eira’s expression cooled. "Get your foot off my box."

"Easy. It’s not going anywhere."

Eira sat across from her. "What do you want?"

Isabella admired her diamond-covered nails. "Like them? Serena paid for them. She’s a lot more generous than you ever were."

"They’re nice."

"That’s it?"

"I came for the box, Isabella."

"You’ll get it when I’m ready."

She pushed a plate of cold fries toward Eira. "I ordered too much. Finish them."

"You brought me here to eat your leftovers?"

"Call it the price of admission."

Eira looked at the box under Isabella’s heel. "Is everything still inside?"

"I didn’t bother checking."

"Then give it back."

"Not yet." Isabella tapped the box with her shoe. "Play nice, and we’ll be done in no time."

Eira knew Isabella was enjoying this. Arguing would only give her another excuse to damage the children’s letters and drawings.

She finished the few fries left on the plate. "There. Now give me the box."

Isabella pointed to the untouched glass of wine. "Not so fast. Drink that too."

Eira looked at the glass. "Why?"

"Because I’ve never seen you drunk."

"I don’t drink much."

"No kidding. Every holiday, the rest of us had fun while you sat there acting like a saint."

"Someone had to drive."

Isabella laughed.

"That’s not what Sebastian said. He told Mom and Dad you couldn’t drink because somebody had to clean up after dinner. Even the housekeeper got the holidays off. You didn’t."

Eira’s gaze hardened.

Isabella slid the wine closer. "Bottoms up. Finish it, and the box is yours."

She finally moved the package onto the sofa beside her. The lid had already been opened. Eira could see the children’s letters, drawings, and handmade gifts inside.

They appeared to be intact.

"You’ll hand it over after one drink?"

"Cross my heart."

"Your word isn’t worth much."

Isabella’s smile tightened. "Then call the cops if I break it."

"You stole a package addressed to me. I could call them now."

"Go for it. Sebastian will get me a lawyer and make it disappear. He always cleans up my messes."

Her confidence was not entirely fake. Alpha Sebastian had protected her from consequences before.

Eira looked at the open box.

The children had made those gifts by hand. If Isabella lost her temper, she could destroy them in seconds.

"One glass," Eira said. "Then I get the box."

"That’s the deal."

Eira picked up the wine.

Isabella watched every move she made.

That should have set off alarm bells, but her hand was already resting on the box.

Eira raised the glass and drank.

Isabella’s smile spread as the last drop disappeared.

Phase one was done.