Chapter 294 Serena Begs for Mercy

Chapter 294: Chapter 294 Serena Begs for Mercy

Serena had been kneeling outside Alpha Victor’s hospital room for two days.

She had refused the visitor’s chair, the food, even the blanket a nurse offered.

She was betting everything on the old bond between them—the one soft spot she was certain he still had.

Inside the room, Alpha Victor had finally regained consciousness. This time, there was no shouting or dramatic collapse. Only a weak voice behind the closed door.

When a nurse told him Serena had been kneeling outside for two days, his brow tightened.

Olivia sat beside the window, calmly peeling an apple.

"She’s crying real tears and fake ones at the same time," she said. "You sent her overseas. You built her career and opened every door for her. Did she ever stop to think about what she owed you?"

Alpha Victor said nothing.

Olivia set the knife down. "She used your name because she thought it would carry her straight to the top. If she had any real decency, she’d be dealing with Dr. Crawford herself instead of sending her parents to beg for mercy."

Marcus gave her a warning look.

Olivia ignored it. "Robert and Jennifer are respected academics. They’re practically Dr. Crawford’s elders in the field, and now they’re apologizing for a mess their adult daughter created."

"Olivia," Marcus said quietly.

She folded her arms.

Marcus turned to Alpha Victor. "She can’t stay in the hallway forever. Should I bring her in?"

Alpha Victor stared at the ceiling. No answer.

"I’ll take that as a yes."

A moment later, Serena entered.

She looked pale and exhausted, her eyes dull and hollow.

Alpha Victor’s chest tightened when he saw her.

Then he remembered the courtroom: the evidence, the photographs, every word spoken against her.

The tenderness vanished.

"Grandpa." Serena crossed the room, took his hand, and sank to her knees beside the bed. "Please don’t get worked up. The doctors said your heart can’t take the stress."

Her voice cracked.

"Whatever happened, it’s my fault. All of it. I’m not asking you to forgive me. I just don’t want you making yourself sick because of me."

To anyone else, she would have sounded like a devoted granddaughter.

Olivia wasn’t buying it.

"If you really care about him," she said, "stop performing and start fixing the damage. Sign over what you owe. Return what you took. Then figure out how to rebuild your life without hiding behind this family."

Serena lowered her eyes. "Aunt Olivia, I’m only worried about Grandpa."

"Sure you are." Olivia gave a humorless smile. "Here’s the difference between devotion and dependence: devotion puts something back. It doesn’t keep asking for money."

Serena bit the inside of her cheek, forcing tears into her eyes.

"I understand."

"Good."

Olivia stood and pulled Marcus toward the door.

"Keep an eye on the safe while she’s here," she muttered, loud enough for Serena to hear. "And check Dad’s personal things before we leave."

Marcus frowned. "She’s not going to rob her own grandfather."

"If she had any scruples left, we wouldn’t be having this conversation." Olivia opened the door. "Let’s get dinner."

Their voices faded down the hallway.

Serena remained beside the bed, head bowed, hands folded around Alpha Victor’s.

Outwardly, she looked broken.

Inside, humiliation burned hotter than the bruises on her knees.

--

or two full days, Serena said nothing about money.

She brought Alpha Victor his medication, held the cup while he drank, adjusted his pillows, and helped with whatever the nurses allowed.

Even Alpha Victor, watching from the bed, felt his anger begin to weaken.

At last, he broke the silence.

"We have nurses for that."

Serena froze.

Her eyes filled. This time, the tears were real.

"Grandpa." She caught his hand. "You’re talking to me."

Alpha Victor looked away, but he didn’t pull free.

"I’m sorry," she whispered. "I let you down. I betrayed everything you built for me, and I scared you half to death. Yell at me. Cut me off. Do whatever you have to do. Just don’t shut me out."

Her voice cracked.

"You’re the only grandfather I have. You raised me. You’re the person I love most in this world."

The words reached him. His expression softened, but only slightly. He still said nothing about the hearing, and Serena didn’t bring it up.

While she was washing her hands in the private bathroom, her phone buzzed.

Vincent: My father wants to meet you.

Serena stared at the message.

Henry Crawford wanted to see her?

Her first reaction was dread.

Then she thought it through. The full details of the hearing hadn’t been made public, and Lainey was still on her side. Alpha Henry might not know the worst of it.

Another message appeared.

Vincent: Don’t panic. My father is hard on me, but he’s generous with everyone else. I need to bring you to him, though. Otherwise, I can’t explain where the money went.

Serena’s eyes sharpened.

Vincent wanted to give her money.

Before she could reply, another text came from Lainey.

Lainey: I’ll be there too.

The pressure in Serena’s chest eased.

She returned to Alpha Victor’s bedside. "Grandpa, I might miss dinner tonight. Vincent wants me to meet his father."

"Henry Crawford?" Alpha Victor asked.

His tone was cautious, not approving.

"Has he heard about the hearing?"

Serena went pale.

"After I see Vincent, I may stop by Sullivan Group," she said carefully.

Alpha Victor’s eyes narrowed. He had seen the photographs of Serena with Ryan Sullivan during the hearing.

"A photograph doesn’t prove anything," she added quickly. "And Ryan has no reason to abandon me."

She needed Alpha Victor to believe she still had options. Vincent still wanted her, and Sullivan Group had not cut her loose.

With her chin lifted, Serena left the room.

Her confidence faltered when she arrived at the restaurant Alpha Henry had chosen.

Before doubt could stop her, Lainey appeared near the entrance, wearing an easy smile.

"Serena. Over here."