Elena
“Ms.
Grey, we need you to come with us for questioning.”
I stare at the two men in dark suits standing in my doorway, badges gleaming under the hallway lights.
“Questioning about what?”
“Financial irregularities at Ashford Industries.
Your name appears on several documents we’re investigating.”
My mind races.
“I want my lawyer present.”
“Of course.
You’re not under arrest, ma’am.
We just need to ask some questions.”
I grab my phone and purse, texting Sage as I follow them out: Federal agents taking me in for questioning about Ashford Industries.
Help.
Her response is immediate: DO NOT SAY ANYTHING.
I’m calling criminal defense.
20 minutes.
The car ride to the federal building is silent.
I keep my hands folded in my lap to hide the trembling.
What financial documents could possibly have my name on them?
I had nothing to do with Dominic’s business.
I was barely involved in our household finances.
Unless…
My stomach drops as I remember signing papers for Dominic over the years.
Property transfers.
Investment accounts.
He’d always said it was standard spouse stuff.
Had he been using me as a cover for fraud?
At the federal building, they led me to an interrogation room.
Grey walls, metal table, the works.
I sit and wait.
Twenty minutes feels like twenty hours.
Finally, the door opens.
But it’s not Sage.
It’s Alexander.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.
“Your lawyer called me.” He sits across from me, his expression unreadable.
“Elena, this is serious.
They’re claiming you helped Dominic embezzle money from pack businesses.”
“That’s insane.
I never…..”
“I know.
But someone made sure your signatures are all over the paperwork.” He slides a folder across the table.
“Look.”
Inside are documents I vaguely remember signing.
Property transfers, investment accounts, offshore holdings.
All dated during my marriage.
All with my signature.
“I signed these,” I whisper.
“He told me they were for joint accounts.
For our future.”
“They were for money laundering.” Alexander’s voice is grim.
“Dominic was siphoning pack funds through shell companies.
Your name is on the accounts.”
“But I didn’t know.”
“That doesn’t matter.
Not legally.
You’re an accessory whether you know it or not.”
The door opens again.
This time it’s a woman in her fifties, severe suit, sharp eyes.
“Ms.
Grey, I’m Federal Prosecutor Diana Chen.
We have some questions.”
Sage bursts in behind her, slightly out of breath.
“And my client won’t be answering any of them without me present.”
“Sage.
I should have known.” Chen doesn’t look happy.
“Fine.
Let’s make this official.”
She sits, opens a laptop, starts recording.
“Ms.
Grey, are you familiar with Ashford Investment Holdings?”
Sage squeezes my hand under the table.
“I’ve heard the name,” I say carefully.
“Your signature appears on the founding documents.”
“I signed what my husband asked me to sign.
I trusted him.”
“Did you benefit financially from these accounts?”
“No.”
“Did you know the money in these accounts came from misappropriated pack funds?”
“No.”
Chen leans forward.
“Ms.
Grey, we have evidence that you transferred five million dollars from an Ashford account two weeks ago.
Where did that money go?”
My mouth goes dry.
The five million from Luna Catherine.
“I gave it to charity,” I say.
“All of it.
I have receipts.”
“Why would you give away five million dollars?”
“Because I didn’t want it.” My voice strengthens.
“I didn’t want anything from that family.
I wanted a clean break.”
Chen doesn’t look convinced.
“Or you were trying to hide the money before we froze the accounts.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?
You filed for divorce three months ago, but it wasn’t made public until today.
Convenient timing for someone who knew an investigation was coming.”
“I had no idea.”
“Enough.” Alexander’s voice cuts through the room.
“Ms.
Chen, you’re fishing.
My…
Ms.
Grey has cooperated.
If you have actual evidence of wrongdoing, charge her.
Otherwise, we’re done here.”
Chen’s eyes narrow.
“Mr.
Grey.
I wondered when you’d show up.
Interesting that you’re here for your estranged sister.”
“Not estranged.
And yes, I’m here.
Problem?”
The tension in the room is thick enough to cut.
Chen closes her laptop.
“Ms.
Grey, don’t leave Seattle.
We’ll be in touch.”
After she leaves, I slump in my chair.
“This is a nightmare.”
“It gets worse,” Sage says quietly.
She pulls up something on her phone.
“The media already has the story.
And someone leaked details about your divorce hearing.”
She shows me her screen.
DISGRACED OMEGA SUSPECTED IN PACK FRAUD SCHEME
Former Luna Elena Grey Under Investigation—Did She Know About Alpha’s Crimes?
The articles are brutal.
They paint me as either a criminal or an idiot.
Some suggest I seduced Dominic to access pack money.
Others claim I’m a scorned woman taking revenge.
“Who leaked this?” I ask.