Chapter 280 Crawling Back

Chapter 280: Chapter 280 Crawling Back

At Mercy General, Ryan sat across from Alpha Sebastian in the hospital lounge.

"I’m building a new research division," Ryan said. "Your experience and connections in the tech world would be valuable. I’d like you to join Sullivan Group."

Alpha Sebastian didn’t hesitate.

"No."

The answer came so quickly that Ryan paused.

Then, without warning, a photograph flashed through Alpha Sebastian’s mind.

One of the exhibits Eira had submitted during the hearing.

Alpha Sebastian frowned.Since when were they this close?

He had known Ryan for years. He had known Serena even longer. Yet somehow, he had never known they shared that kind of familiarity.

"Are you sure you won’t reconsider?" Ryan asked. "Sullivan Group could use someone with your experience. I’m willing to match your former compensation package."

He lifted the paper cup of coffee a nurse had left behind and swirled the lukewarm liquid inside.

Alpha Sebastian watched him carefully.

The offer sounded generous. Almost too generous.

Ryan didn’t want him.

Not really.

He wanted what Alpha Sebastian still represented: Hale Group’s systems, investor relationships, supplier network, and the unfinished projects left behind after the collapse.

"You know the industry better than anyone. I can’t simply join a direct competitor and pretend there won’t be consequences," Alpha Sebastian said. "The non-compete is still active. If Hale claims I transferred proprietary information, they can seek an injunction, damages, and a trade secret action."

"Then don’t put your name on anything." Ryan leaned back, perfectly relaxed. "Work behind the scenes. No title, no public announcement. Just advice. Money won’t be a problem."

"So you want a ghost."

Ryan’s smile didn’t move. "I want to give you a way back. You can’t let two women bury your career for good. Come with me. Rebuild."

The offer was tempting. Alpha Sebastian couldn’t deny that.

Then he remembered Ryan beside Serena.

The nausea came back.

"Who’s leading your new project?" he asked.

Ryan hesitated, clearly unsure how much Alpha Sebastian knew.

"Serena Winthrop," he said at last.

Alpha Sebastian let out a humorless laugh. "You’re putting Serena in charge of a project that size?"

Ryan blinked.

"Dr. Crawford isn’t available," he said. "She’s protected by federal contracts, Sterling’s backing, and a security clearance that makes her nearly impossible to approach directly."

"So you settled for Serena."

"I made a practical choice." Ryan took another sip of coffee. "Victor Winthrop still has influence. His granddaughter gives us access to doors we otherwise couldn’t open."

"Access isn’t expertise."

"No argument there." Ryan’s smile thinned. "But Victor Winthrop’s name still carries weight."

"No argument there." Ryan’s smile thinned. "But Victor Winthrop’s name still opens doors."

Alpha Sebastian let out a cold, humorless laugh.

Ryan studied his reaction, his brow tightening.

Alpha Sebastian had once loved Serena enough to burn his entire life down for her. Now he looked at her as if she were toxic.

What the hell happened between them?

Ryan would have to find out. But first, he needed Alpha Sebastian on his side.

"Look, Alpha Sebastian," he said, rising from his chair. "I don’t know what went down between you and Ms. Winthrop, and frankly, it’s not my business. My offer still stands."

He placed a black business card on the table.

"Come to Sullivan Group. I’ll handle the transition, the legal paperwork, and anything else tied to the noncompete. Housing, transportation, executive benefits. You won’t have to worry about starting over from scratch."

Alpha Sebastian glanced at the card but didn’t touch it.

Ryan pushed it closer. "Think it over. Call me when you’re ready."

He picked up his coat and walked out, leaving Alpha Sebastian alone with the card and the faint smell of burnt coffee.

A moment later, Alpha Sebastian’s phone buzzed.

Ethan: Everything’s ready. Once your mom is stable, come straight to Yates. Starting salary is $150,000. We can discuss equity after you’re settled in.

Alpha Sebastian stared at the message.

The Yates offer was concrete: a guaranteed salary, legitimate work, and a clean path back into the industry.

Ryan’s offer was less specific, but the promise beneath it was obvious. Unlimited resources. A powerful backer. The chance to rebuild on his own terms.

One offer came with certainty.

The other came with power.

Alpha Sebastian slipped Ryan’s card into his wallet without replying to either man. Then he returned to his mother’s room.

Margaret was grateful to wake up after surgery, but recovery quickly showed the Hale family’s weak spots.

Roger could run a company, but he had no idea how to manage a hospital room. Isabella meant well, yet she kept mixing up the medication times and asking the nurses the same questions.

"What does this one do again?" she asked, holding up a prescription bottle.

"The nurse already explained it," Roger said.

"Then maybe you should listen next time."

Margaret closed her eyes. "Both of you, please. My head is killing me."

Isabella immediately lowered her voice and reached for the medication chart. But as she struggled to sort everything out, she couldn’t stop thinking about Eira.

Eira would have known what to ask the doctors. She would have organized the medication, checked Margaret’s meals, and noticed every small change in her condition.

Once, when Isabella had been sick, Eira had spent two thousand dollars from her three-thousand-dollar monthly allowance on a specialized nutritional bowl and supplements. Isabella had called it wasteful at the time.

Now, she looked at the hospital tray and wished Eira were the one arranging it.

The whole Hale family regretted losing her.

Alpha Sebastian sat beside the bed, silent and hollow-eyed.

Four years under the same roof could not simply disappear. He had loved Eira, but he had been too selfish and too blind to understand what she meant to him until she was gone.

Margaret studied his pale face.

"Go home, honey," she said softly. "Your father and Isabella are here. You need some sleep."

Roger placed a hand on Alpha Sebastian’s shoulder. "Listen to your mother. Come back tomorrow."

Alpha Sebastian had barely slept in days. He dragged a hand over his face, said goodbye, and left around ten.

By eleven, he reached Southridge Estates. The cab stopped at the private gate because its license plate was not registered with the community. Alpha Sebastian paid the driver and continued on foot.

The winter wind cut through his coat as he walked past the dark townhouses and glowing windows. Most families were already home, their Christmas lights shining behind iron gates.

At the fork in the road, Alpha Sebastian stopped.

The right path led to Number Nine.

Number Eleven stood straight ahead.

He looked toward Eira’s house. Every window was dark. She was either asleep or still out with Killian.

Alpha Sebastian turned right anyway.

For a long moment, he stood there, staring at the silent house.

Then the porch light flickered on.

Alpha Sebastian stepped back.He had no right to disturb her peace again.

After one last look, he turned away from Number Nine and walked toward Number Eleven alone.