Chapter 251 A Taste Worth Noticing

Chapter 251: Chapter 251 A Taste Worth Noticing

Inside Alpha Killian’s private office, the morning sun cast long gold stripes across the dark glass walls.

Alpha Killian sat behind his desk with his jacket draped over the chair. His sleeves were rolled to his forearms, and the breakfast sandwich Eira had made rested in one hand. The scent of sausage, warm eggs, and melted cheddar still filled the room.

He took another bite, then looked up.

"You made this."

It was not a question.

Eira paused while setting her tote beside the chair. "How could you tell?"

"Mrs. Jones uses more salt." He glanced at the sandwich.

Eira frowned slightly. "You can taste the difference?"

"I pay attention."

Instead of answering, she reached into her tote and placed a small glass bottle of milk beside his laptop.

"Drink that too."

Alpha Killian looked at the bottle, then back at her. "Anything else?"

"Try not to choke. I’m heading to the lab."

A pleased rumble stirred deep in his chest.

Rowan, his wolf, had been quiet all morning. Now it stretched lazily inside him.

[She made breakfast for us.]

[No, ]he corrected silently. [She made it for me.]

The wolf gave a low, irritated growl, as if Alpha Killian had stolen something that belonged to him.

Alpha Killian kept his face calm. "You’re leaving already?"

"I have a meeting in ten minutes."

"You could stay."

The words came out before he could stop them.

Eira met his gaze. His open collar and rolled sleeves made him look less like the untouchable Alpha who ruled Sterling Group and more like a man who wanted her attention.

"You’re busy," she said.

"I can make time."

For one breath, neither of them moved.

Then Eira looked away. "Finish your sandwich before your meeting."

She turned toward the door.

Alpha Killian watched her leave. The door clicked shut, and a moment later, Miles and Natalie stepped inside with their tablets.

"Alpha," Miles began, "the Singapore branch is asking for another week to finish the quarterly report."

Alpha Killian was not listening. His phone had lit up with a message from Lila.

A picture showed her grinning over a small breakfast sandwich.

[Look! Eira made me one!]

Alpha Killian glanced at Lila’s neat little sandwich, then at the much larger one in his hand. A quiet scoff escaped him.

He took a picture of his own and sent it back.

Lila did not reply.

--

Across town, Serena sat at the vanity in her bedroom, pressing concealer beneath her eyes.

The dark circles had deepened over the past week, and no amount of makeup could hide how little she had slept.

She was about to meet a lawyer recommended by Lainey Crawford.

The Winthrops had contacted nearly every major law firm in California. One after another, they had turned Serena down.

Lainey had been the only person willing to offer a connection. Serena was grateful, but she still worried about what Vincent would think if he learned the truth.

Then Lainey had leaned close and said, "My brother and I both know Sebastian used you. You were pulled into this before you even understood what was happening."

Those words had loosened something inside Serena’s chest.

An hour later, she and Lainey arrived at an upscale restaurant, where white tablecloths, soft jazz, and dark wood partitions gave the dining room a quiet, intimate feel.

The attorney was already waiting in a corner booth.

"This is Mason Blake," Lainey said.

Mason stood and shook Serena’s hand. He was in his early forties, dressed in a navy suit with a pale blue shirt and no tie.

After the introductions, he opened a leather folder.

"I’ve reviewed the complaint and the emergency motion," he said. "Start from the beginning. I want to hear your version of the transfers, the investment agreement, and every asset Sebastian gave you."

Serena kept her face composed and answered carefully. She did not mention the false explanations she and Alpha Sebastian had agreed to use.

Mason questioned her for nearly an hour. By the time he closed his folder, Serena felt slightly less trapped.

"Thank you for putting me in touch with Mason, Lainey." Serena turned to her with a smile. "He seems very professional."

"As long as he can help, that’s what matters." Lainey glanced at Mason. "My family’s driver can take you back to your hotel."

After Mason left, Lainey ordered hot water with lemon and folded her hands around the cup.

"Serena, when this is over, do you plan to stay with Sebastian?"

Serena’s stomach tightened. "Why would you ask me that?"

"I’m worried you’ll stay because of the baby." Lainey’s voice softened. "Sebastian’s life is falling apart. You shouldn’t let him drag you down with him. Vincent would hate to see that happen."

The tension in Serena’s chest eased.

So that was what this was about.

"I don’t know," she said. "Sebastian never wanted this child. He asked me to end the pregnancy more than once. But I couldn’t. The baby is mine."

Lainey gave her a sympathetic look.

"If you decide to leave him, you could consider Vincent. He has cared about you for years."

Serena widened her eyes. "Vincent? We’ve always been friends."

"Vincent has never settled down because he has always had someone else in mind." Lainey reached across the table and covered Serena’s hand. "You’re beautiful, talented, and well connected. One failed project does not decide your future."

Serena straightened.

"My brother likes you," Lainey said. "And I like you too."

"Thank you. I know you’re only being kind because of Vincent."

"Not entirely." Lainey smiled. "I only keep people close when I truly click with them."

She pushed a small velvet box across the table.

Serena opened it. Emerald earrings glittered against the black velvet.

"For me?"

"Who else is here?"

Lainey noticed the hunger in Serena’s eyes. Serena needed money, but cash would raise questions. Jewelry could be sold quietly, piece by piece.

"Thank you," Serena said.

"Don’t mention it. We’re friends." Lainey’s smile deepened. "Who knows? Maybe we’ll be family one day."

"Stop teasing me about Vincent."

But the thought had already taken root.

On the drive home, Serena held the emerald earrings in her palm and watched the city lights slide across the car window.

Lainey had given her a way into the Crawford family.

But Vincent would not be marrying a pregnant woman carrying another man’s child. Maybe he would claim he did not care. Maybe Lainey would say the family could accept it.

Serena did not trust "maybe."

What if Vincent changed his mind after the wedding? What if the Crawfords treated the baby as Sebastian Hale’s living reminder? What if someone discovered the syphilis diagnosis and decided she had brought disease and scandal into their family?

No. She could not take that risk.

The baby had never been part of her dream.

It had been Alpha Sebastian’s weakness, nothing more.