Chapter 293 The Winthrops Apologize

Chapter 293: Chapter 293 The Winthrops Apologize

As Henry’s Lincoln disappeared around the corner, Lila unlocked the Audi.

"So?" she asked. "What did you think?"

Eira glanced back at the restaurant. "He was kind."

"That’s a strong endorsement."

"He wasn’t anything like Vincent or Lainey."

Lila opened the passenger door. "That part doesn’t surprise me."

Eira got in and fastened her seat belt. "Vincent never missed a chance to remind me where I came from. Lainey was always polite, but I never knew what she was really thinking."

"Henry’s different." Lila slid behind the wheel. "The Crawfords are huge, and most of them treat every relationship like a business deal. My mom’s known Henry for years, but she calls him a real friend. No favors. No family politics. Just a friend."

Eira looked at her. "Your dad is okay with that?"

"My dad is suspicious of everyone." Lila started the engine. "If Henry were trouble, he’d have found a reason to hate him by now."

That drew a small smile from Eira.

Lila pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic.

A few minutes later, they turned onto Ashford Lane.

The gate guard stepped out as Lila lowered the window.

"Evening, Ms. Sterling. Ms. Crawford, you had two visitors earlier. Robert and Jennifer Winthrop."

Lila’s eyebrows rose. "Both of them?"

The guard nodded. "They said they couldn’t reach Ms. Crawford directly, so we didn’t let them through. They waited for a while, then left. They said they’d return tomorrow and asked us to pass along a message."

"What message?" Eira asked.

"They’d like to speak with you."

Eira almost smiled. The Winthrops rarely showed up without wanting something.

"I’ll decide whether I’m available."

"Understood. If they come back, we’ll keep them at the gate until you approve access."

"Thank you."

--

Eira had assumed "tomorrow" meant sometime after lunch.

Instead, the Winthrops arrived at first light.

Robert and Jennifer waited outside the gated community in dark down jackets, their polished appearance undone by the cold. Jennifer’s hair had come loose, and both looked as if they had spent the night awake.

"Ms. Crawford?" Robert asked. "I’m Robert Winthrop. Serena’s father."

"I’m Jennifer, her mother." Her voice trembled. "Could we have ten minutes?"

Eira glanced at the rideshare waiting at the curb, then at the boutique café across the street. Its patio heaters glowed beneath the morning mist.

"I have ten minutes," she said. "We can talk there."

The café had only just opened. Inside, the espresso machine hissed while a barista arranged pastries behind the glass case. Eira ordered a black coffee and chose a table near the window. The Winthrops sat across from her.

Robert folded his hands. "We owe you an apology for what Serena did to your marriage. We failed her as parents. We’re not asking you to forgive her, and we won’t argue with the consequences."

Jennifer’s eyes filled. "We’re truly sorry."

Eira studied them. She had grown up without parents and once envied anyone who had a family to fall back on. Serena had two parents willing to set aside their pride and face the damage their daughter had caused.

"I don’t blame either of you," Eira said.

The Winthrops exchanged a startled look. They had clearly expected anger, not mercy.

Jennifer opened her purse and placed a certified cashier’s check on the table.

"It’s for fifty million dollars," she said. "It’s what we can make available immediately. Our attorneys can coordinate the deposit and handle the remaining assets."

Robert nodded. "The total judgment is one hundred eighteen million. We’ll repay the remaining sixty-eight, but we need time."

Eira looked at the check. Fifty million dollars had probably cost them nearly everything they could liquidate: savings, investments, and every favor they could call in.

"I’ll accept this payment," she said. "But I won’t take the rest from you."

Jennifer stared at her. "Why not?"

"Serena is an adult. She has been responsible for her own choices for a long time." Eira’s voice stayed calm. "Whatever she owes, she needs to repay herself."

"We can’t agree to that," Robert said quietly.

"You don’t have to. My answer won’t change."

Eira slid the check into her bag. "My attorney will contact yours to verify everything and arrange the transfer."

The café door opened, letting in a gust of cold air. Eira glanced at the time and stood.

"Thank you for coming. I know this wasn’t easy, but Serena’s debt isn’t yours."

She left the café and returned to her waiting rideshare.

Through the window, Jennifer watched the car pull away.

"Sixty-eight million," she whispered. "What are we supposed to do now?"

Robert slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"She’s right," he said. "Serena is old enough to face the consequences."

Jennifer looked down at the untouched coffee. "So we just let her?"

Robert held her closer.

For once, he had no answer.