I said helplessly, "But L, I have a veryplicated rtionship with Alex. I don''t want anyone to think that I got in because of my connections."


    L said, "You''re being too immature. These days, having connections is a skill in itself."


    She continued, "If Mr. Hastings publicly announces your identity, you''ll be used of using your connections no matter whichpany you join. So, isn''t it better to just go to Hastings Group? At least you''ll have Mr. Hastings to back you up, and people wouldn''t dare to gossip so recklessly."


    I thought about it and had to admit that L had a point.


    "Besides, I know how capable you are. Even if you do make it to Hastings Group with your connections, you can still prove your worth and make everyone else see you in a new light," L added.


    After being criticized by Alex during the day, L''sfort and encouragement filled me with renewed confidence.


    "L, I''m so d to have you. No matter what happens, you''re always able to help me find my confidence again," I said.


    L covered my eyes with her hand and said, "So, there''s nothing worth losing sleep over. Get some rest. We can deal with these concerns tomorrow. Sleep is the most important right now."


    ...


    A few dayster, I was woken up early in the morning by the sound of my phone ringing.


    Picking it up, I couldn''t help but be amazed. Julian sure had a lot of phone numbers. Every time I blocked one, he would just pull out another. My irritation at him soared to its peak considering how early he was disturbing my sleep.


    "What is it?" I snapped.


    "Serena, can we meet? I need your help." Julian''s anxious voice could be heard.


    I thought about it and couldn''t figure out why Julian would need my help.


    "I can''t help you at all. Go find someone else," I said as I rolled in my bed.


    "Serena, I promise this will be thest time. If you don''te, then I''ll wait for you at your dormitory," Julian pleaded.


    Remembering thest time he made a scene outside my dormitory to beg for forgiveness, I thought about it and decided to meet him in the end. As much as I didn''t want to do it, I had no desire to make the headlines on campus once again.


    I arrived at the restaurant with a hat and a mask. After all, I wasn''t just any student


    on campustely. I had be a bit of a celebrity.


    Fame was daunting, and I didn''t want to attract any unnecessary attention.


    "What do you want?" I asked the moment I sat down.


    I wanted to end this quickly and avoid wasting time with Julian.


    "Serena, you''ve got to help me." Julian looked up at me. Only then did I notice how different he looked today.


    His eyes werepletely bloodshot. He looked like he hadn''t slept for days. "What happened?" I frowned.


    with


    Julian said with some hatred in his voice, "It''s Alex. To get back at me for you, he''s deliberately targeting ke Group. Just yesterday, we received a lot of notifications from our partners saying they won''t be working with us anymore."


    I frowned even more.


    After a long silence, I suddenlyughed.


    Julian''s expression changed. "What are youughing at? Serena, are you not willing to help me?"


    I shook my head as I continued tough. "I think you''ve got the wrong person."


    "What do you mean?" he asked in confusion.


    I exined, "It might just be a


    Let


    coincidence. Or maybe your family offended Alex in some way. But whatever the reason is, it''s definitely not because of me."