Chapter 240 The Fall of an Alpha

Chapter 240: Chapter 240 The Fall of an Alpha

Three days earlier, Alpha Sebastian had been summoned before the board.

He descended the glass staircase at Hale Group and crossed the marble lobby with Jordan close behind. Conversations died around them.

Employees looked away whenever Alpha Sebastian glanced over, then leaned together and whispered behind raised hands.

He did not know how much they had pieced together. He knew one thing for sure. Everyone had heard that Soren, Snowmark’s director, had threatened to walk away from the contract.

Hale Group was not built on one deal, but Snowmark was the biggest international project of the year, possibly the next two. Alpha Sebastian had led it from the beginning.

First, he had lost the processor bid. Then Dr. Shaw’s patent had slipped out of his hands. Now Snowmark was threatening to leave.

Every failure led back to him.

Some employees said Alpha Sebastian was cursed. Others whispered that he had crossed the wrong person. But the rumor spreading fastest was far uglier.

Alpha Sebastian had taken a mate and then dissolved the bond. That alone would not have been shocking. Packs ended relationships all the time. The scandal was what came next.

He had betrayed his Luna during the bond and funneled a fortune to another woman.

Jordan had heard the whispers in the break room more than once. He always shut them down immediately. He could ignore the jokes about bad luck, but the moment anyone insulted Eira, his temper snapped.

That only made the rumors sound more believable.

Everyone on the floor watched as Alpha Sebastian and Jordan left the building, both men wearing grim expressions.

"Do you think they’re firing him?" someone whispered.

The word spread through the office like a cold draft.

Then everyone returned to work. No one wanted to be caught gossiping when the axe finally fell.

Inside the car, Alpha Sebastian leaned against the seat and closed his eyes.

Jordan sat beside him, tense and pale. But when he saw how still Alpha Sebastian looked, his own fear faded into something heavier.

Hopelessness.

Alpha Sebastian already knew the meeting was a formality. He was being escorted to the gallows.

The board meeting took place in Carter Group’s top-floor conference room. Every director was present, along with Alpha Carter and his two children, Fiona and Finn.

The directors attacked him from every side. They blamed his personal conduct for the failed deals and the Snowmark crisis.

Alpha Sebastian caught one word.

"Crisis," a director snapped. "You nearly lost Snowmark."

Nearly.

Alpha Sebastian looked toward Alpha Carter. "So the contract is still active?"

"We renegotiated the terms to keep Snowmark at the table," Alpha Carter said. "That means Hale Group accepted major concessions."

A director slammed his palm against the table. "Do you understand what you’ve cost us? Once your hearing becomes public, you’ll drag both companies through the mud."

Alpha Sebastian remained calm.

"What has the board decided?" he asked. "Say it plainly."

The director turned to Alpha Carter. "Terminate him today."

Alpha Carter held Alpha Sebastian’s silver gaze.

"Resign," he said. "Do it on your own terms."

A murmur moved through the room.

Alpha Sebastian understood what Alpha Carter was offering. Not mercy. One last scrap of dignity.

He nodded. "Fine."

As the directors began to leave, Alpha Sebastian turned back.

"Who takes over Hale Group?"

"That is no longer your concern," one director said.

Alpha Sebastian ignored him and looked at Finn. "If Finn takes over, keep Jordan. I’m under a two-year non-compete, so he isn’t a threat. But he knows every part of this company."

Finn studied him. Alpha Sebastian was ruthless, but he still protected his people.

Alpha Carter gave a slight nod.

"Done," Finn said.

--

That afternoon, an email reached every employee at Hale Group.

Alpha Sebastian Hale has resigned for personal reasons.

The company was in chaos.

By the time Alpha Sebastian reached Number Eleven at Southridge Estates, he was carrying a cardboard box filled with the few things he had taken from his office.

His family had gathered in the living room. Even the longtime housekeeper had stayed, hovering near the kitchen as if the house itself might collapse.

Alpha Sebastian stepped inside.

His father’s face went pale. "You resigned?"

Luna Margaret and Isabella shot to their feet. They did not seem to believe it until Alpha Sebastian gave a tired nod.

"This morning. The announcement has already gone out."

"Did they force you out, or did you walk?" Luna Margaret demanded.

Alpha Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose and dropped onto the sofa. Exhaustion showed in every line of his face.

"They told me to resign."

"They told you, and you actually did it?" Isabella stared at him. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Are you?" Alpha Sebastian snapped. "I’m too tired to explain this twice."

Alpha Roger stepped in before the argument could grow.

"Given the situation, resigning was the only way he could leave with any dignity."

Isabella’s mouth twisted. "This is Serena’s fault. Eira is suing her, right? Then make Serena return every dollar. Eira can split the money with you. It was yours in the first place."

Alpha Sebastian stood.

"Even if Eira recovers every dollar, none of it is coming to me. Let it go."

"Why not?"

"In a normal bond dissolution, I might have been entitled to a share." His jaw tightened. "But if the court rules that I violated my obligations to Eira, the situation changes. She could recover everything. I would have no legal claim to it."

The color drained from Isabella’s face.

"So we cannot count on that money," she whispered.

"Stop counting money that isn’t yours," Alpha Sebastian said. "I don’t have the right to touch it anymore."

Isabella burst into tears and grabbed Luna Margaret’s arm.

"Mom, I don’t want to end up like those people who have to work a regular job."

Alpha Sebastian gave her a cold look. "And why exactly can’t you work? Do you honestly think you’re some kind of heiress?"

"Enough," Luna Margaret cut in. "Both of you."

Isabella only cried harder.

Alpha Roger rubbed his temple. "That’s enough. You’re giving me a headache."

He looked at Alpha Sebastian, his anger mixed with disappointment.

"We all played a part in this. Every one of us. But Serena caused the deepest damage." His voice hardened. "You bonded with Eira. So why did you keep running after Serena? Now she has drained your money, wrecked your career, and left this family cleaning up the mess."

Alpha Sebastian lowered his head.

For once, he had no defense.

"Dad. Mom. I’m sorry."

Luna Margaret turned and walked away before he could see her cry. Alpha Roger rested a hand on Alpha Sebastian’s shoulder.

"I’ll check on your mother. Business comes and goes. If you’re still standing, you still have another day."

After his parents left, Isabella wiped her face.

"Sebastian, what if we asked Eira for help? Do you think she would give us some of the money she gets from Serena?"

His headache throbbed behind his eyes.

"I don’t know."

"Then I’ll ask her myself."

Isabella rushed to Number Nine. Two large dogs patrolled the property behind the gate. She grabbed a pair of landscaping stones and stepped closer.

"Eira!" she shouted. "It’s me, Isabella!"

The dogs charged.

Isabella threw a stone, but it only made them bark harder. She stumbled backward and hit the ground twice, bruising both knees.

She scrambled away from the gate and glared at the house.

"This is all Serena’s fault," she muttered. "Every last bit of it."