Chapter 291 A Quiet Conversation

Chapter 291: Chapter 291 A Quiet Conversation

By the time Lisa reached Rachel’s apartment, someone had already gotten there first.

A black Lincoln with D.C. plates was parked at the curb outside the older Oakland building.

Alpha Henry and Yale stepped out in tailored coats, each carrying a gift box from a high-end chocolatier.

Rachel opened the door only a few inches and kept the chain latched.

"Can I help you?"

"Of course. I’m Henry, and this is my cousin, Yale." Alpha Henry offered a polite smile. "I’m sorry to show up without calling first. I’m hoping you can tell me what you know about a woman named Serena Winthrop."

Rachel’s eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"My son has become involved with her. I heard there was a recent court case, but I haven’t been able to get the full story. I’d rather know what he’s walking into before things get any more serious."

Rachel studied the two men. Their clothes were expensive, but their manner was calm. They did not look like debt collectors or tabloid reporters.

She finally removed the chain and opened the door.

"Come in. Just so you know, I only have tap water."

"That’s perfectly fine," Yale said.

Rachel led them into her small living room. She poured two glasses of water and set them on the coffee table.

Alpha Henry placed one of the chocolate boxes beside them. "Thank you for seeing us."

Rachel sat across from them. "All right. What do you want to know?"

"Anything relevant to the case."

Rachel’s eye twitched.

"Then let me save you some time. Serena has a talent for finding wealthy men and making herself indispensable. She convinced Eira’s ex-husband to spend more than a hundred million dollars on her. Designer bags, jewelry, luxury hotels, the whole nine yards. She was also seeing other men while he was funding her lifestyle."

Alpha Henry’s expression sharpened. "You’re certain?"

"I was in the courtroom." Rachel leaned forward. "Keep your son away from her. I’m serious. Don’t let the expensive clothes and tearful eyes fool you. She sees money, influence, or an opening, and then she works it."

She walked them through the hearing, explaining the research grant, the money Sebastian had transferred to Serena, and the assets she had received after returning to the country.

Alpha Henry’s face grew darker with every detail.

But he noticed something else. Rachel kept bringing the conversation back to Eira. She spoke about Eira’s work, her restraint, and the way she had been treated as if she were defending a close friend.

"You know Miss Crawford personally?" Alpha Henry asked.

Rachel leaned back. "I do. Why?"

"I’d like to know more about her."

Rachel’s expression cooled. "Hold on. You came here to ask about Serena. Why are we suddenly discussing Eira?"

Yale placed a business card on the table.

Alpha Henry said. "I lead Crawford Group. Eira is an exceptional researcher, and we may be interested in a professional collaboration. That’s the only reason I’m asking."

Rachel glanced at the card. She recognized the company immediately, but her expression did not soften.

"No offense, but Eira is someone I respect. I don’t give strangers personal information about her. If you want to work with her, contact her directly."

Alpha Henry did not take offense. Instead, he smiled with quiet approval.

"Fair enough. Thank you for protecting her privacy."

Yale rose. "We’d appreciate your discretion about this visit."

"You have it."

The two men left. Rachel watched them disappear down the stairwell before closing the door.

She had barely returned to the sofa when another knock sounded.

Assuming Alpha Henry and Yale had forgotten something, she opened the door.

A sharply dressed woman stood outside in a tailored navy suit, holding a slim leather portfolio.

"Rachel Morgan?"

"Yes?"

"My name is Lisa. "

--

Back at Sullivan Group, Lisa briefed Ryan on her conversation with Rachel.

He listened without interrupting.

By the time she finished, he had already identified the problem.

Sebastian knew about Serena.

"Should we take Serena off the project?" Lisa asked.

Ryan gave a quiet, humorless laugh. "Why? She’s isolated, desperate, and running out of options. That makes her easier to manage."

He turned toward the windows. Evening fog had rolled in from the Bay, blurring the lights below into pale halos.

"Keep her on the team," he continued. "Give her enough responsibility to feel valued, but nothing she can use against us."

Lisa made a note on her tablet. "And Sebastian?"

"Yates Holdings gave him a legitimate way back into the industry." Ryan’s mouth tightened. "If he keeps his head down for a few years, he could rebuild. Hale Group may not stay weak forever."

"Do we put pressure on Yates?"

Ryan glanced over his shoulder. "No. Ethan Yates is still a Yates heir. We don’t pick a fight with old money unless there’s a clear payoff."

"So we leave the door open."

"We keep the relationship civil. Friendly, if necessary."

Lisa hesitated before adding, "There’s one more thing. Rachel had another visitor before I got there. I ran the plate. The car was registered in Washington, D.C."

"Who was inside?"

"Henry Crawford. His cousin, Yale."

Ryan turned fully from the window.

"The Crawfords?"

Lisa nodded.

Ryan’s expression changed.

Serena was not important enough to bring Henry Crawford across the country in person.

"Put eyes on them," he said.

--

Eira spent the morning in the lab, practiced driving with Alpha Killian over lunch, and went back to work afterward.

By six-thirty, she finally escaped Sterling Tower.

Lila’s black Audi was idling at the curb, its headlights cutting through the evening fog. The passenger door swung open.

"Get in, gorgeous," Lila called. "I’m kidnapping you."

Eira slid inside and buckled her seat belt. "Where are we going?"

"Your first housewarming present."

"That sounds dangerous."

"It’s a manicure, not a felony. Relax."

The salon was warm and brightly lit, with lavender lotion, acetone, and fresh coffee lingering in the air.

Lila led Eira to a manicure table and dropped into the chair beside her.

"She’s getting sheer ballet pink," Lila told the technician. "Natural nails. Nothing too dramatic."

The technician placed a color card between them. Eira pointed to a soft pink shade.

"That one."

"Knew it," Lila said. "Almond shape. Clean and elegant."

"And you?" Eira asked.

"Classic French tips. I’m predictable, but I have standards."

When they finished, Lila immediately took a picture of Eira’s manicure and posted it.

A minute later, Alpha Killian commented.

Killian: Nice.

Lila typed back: See? I have excellent taste.

His reply appeared almost at once.

Killian: Eira’s the nice one.

Lila stared at the screen, then shoved the phone in Eira’s face.

"That’s it. I’m trading him in. I’m asking Mom and Dad to adopt you so I can finally have a sister."

Eira barely heard her. Her eyes remained on Alpha Killian’s message.

Lila caught the look on her face and grinned. "Oh, you like that."

"I didn’t say that."

"You didn’t have to." Lila unlocked her phone and opened her brother’s contact. His name was saved as My Brother the Doofus. "Come on. Send him a voice memo. Tell him you’re letting our parents adopt you."

Eira shook her head. "Stop messing with your brother. Aren’t we supposed to be having dinner?"

"Fine." Lila stood and grabbed her purse. "Eden Garden, then. I’m starving."