Mom was the only family I had left in this world. If she had sinned, I was willing to bear half of the burden. Because of this, I had lived for years with a sense of inferiority and self-pity.


    This time, the silence between me and Alexsted longer than before.


    As the ne was about tond, Alex suddenly said again, "You''re going to


    graduate soon. What are your ns after graduation?"


    That immediately lifted my spirits. As a young woman who was going to step into society soon, I was naturally full of eager anticipation.


    "I''m nning to submit my resume to some majorpanies. I''ll also be attending recruitment fairs by thosepanies. Then, I''ll choose a suitablepany for an interview," I said.


    "Is Hastings Group among thosepanies?" Alex asked.


    I shook my head. "No."


    I had gone through a lot of effort to make sure none of thepanies I selected were associated with Hastings Group.


    Unexpectedly, Alex''s expression darkened when he heard that. "You''re being too naive."


    His sudden anger was puzzling to me. I looked up at him and wondered what I did to provoke him.


    "Largepanies nowadays generally look for candidates with a master''s or doctorate degree. You''re just a fresh undergraduate with no significant work experience. What makes you think any majorpanies would give you the opportunity?" Alex asked.


    Even though his words were very logical, I didn''t like hearing them.


    "Don''t underestimate me," I said with a cold snort. I refused to back down and added, "I''ve got a lot of experience from university and have already worked in the field. I''m a hard worker as well. Besides, I got into Grandview University with one of the top scores."


    "Social experience and adaptability are far more important than academic achievements." Alex sighed.


    He softened his tone and said, "You cane work at Hastings Group."


    I shook my head firmly.


    There was a hint of exasperation on his face, but he still sent me back to campus in his car.


    "With regards to work, don''t be in


    such a hurry to reject me. Think iet


    over carefully," Alex said as


    gripped the steering wheel ontent


    I nodded. "You think about going back to the Hastings residence as well."


    The temperature in the car seemed


    to drop a few degrees. I knew Alex didn''t


    t want to hear it, but I still said, "I''ll do my best to make up for the harm my mother caused you."


    After I said that, I got out of the car. I only dared to look back after walking for quite a distance.


    Alex''s car was already gone.


    At night, my mind couldn''t stop reying the events of the day. I found that I couldn''t fall asleep.


    "Serena, you''ve been tossing and turning all night. Are you nning on letting no one sleep?" L sat up and said.


    "Sorry, I''ll try not to move so much," I said with a chuckle.


    L jumped up and climbed into my bed. "Forget it. Tell me, Serena. Why can''t you sleep?"


    "Well, L, I..." I didn''t know how to exin it to her.


    I just found it difficult to talk about.


    "Out with it," L shut her eyes and said softly.


    "Alex told me to work at Hastings Group," I replied.


    "Isn''t that a good thing? You''re losing sleep over that?" L cracked an eye open.


    I nodded.


    L raised her hand and gave me a tap on the head. "What''s there to lose sleep over? If Mr. Hastings is offering good pay and good benefits, then pick him. If any otherpany offers better terms, then pick the otherpanies."