I wasn''t entirely shocked. I knew that Alex was powerful, after all. I just didn''t expect Alex to be so... charismatic.


    Mr. Augustine finally summoned up the courage to step forward. "Here''s what we''ll do, Mr. Hastings. We''ll take full responsibility for the university''sck of oversight


    in this matter. Mr. Herbscked judgment and almost unfairly punished Ms. Ashford, so he''ll be demoted."


    He continued, "As for the rumors, the university will release the original video on our official website to clear Ms. Ashford''s name. Do you think that''s eptable?" Alex nodded slightly before turning to look at me. "What do you think?"


    "I think this is great," I said and nodded fervently.


    All I wanted was to dispel the rumors and free myself from all the public attention.


    I didn''t want Alex to basically go to war on my behalf.


    I was worried that Alex would end up being involved with these absurd rumors as well. Someone like him shouldn''t be stained by baseless gossip.


    "Alright then. We''ll take our leave." Alex stood up and politely nodded at Mr. Augustine and Mr. Herbs.


    As he walked past Julian, Alex stopped briefly. "I''m targeting the kes purely because I''m not happy with how you guys are acting. If you''ve still got any dignity left, stop making things hard for Serena."


    Julian''s face turned incredibly red with embarrassment.


    Once we left the office, Julian took the car keys from his assistant. "Get in."


    I watched as the assistant said goodbye to Alex and headed toward the university


    gate. I couldn''t help but feel a bit uneasy. "Where is he going?"


    Alex looked at me. "He''s going home, of course. Am I supposed to drive him home personally?"


    So, this was the privilege of the wealthy. But there was nothing I could do outside ofining about it silently. After all, Alex had just helped me solve a massive problem, and I was going to join Hastings Group soon.


    "Where are we going?" I couldn''t help but ask as I approached the passenger


    seat.


    Alex got in the car. "Dinner."


    Alex brought me to a high-end restaurant that was owned by Hastings Group. Hence, all of the staff members that we met looked at me curiously while they greeted Alex.


    I wished I could just crawl into a hole. Then, I wouldn''t be stared at so much.


    "What''s your take on this matter?" Alex looked at me.


    I was slightly taken aback.


    He continued, "This situation is clearly not as simple as it seems. There''s someone pulling the strings behind the scenes."


    I had thought about that too. It was just that I had no idea who could be behind all this.


    "You should be more careful at the university." Alex ced a piece of beef on my te.


    I nodded, and the atmosphere became quiet.


    "How are your interview preparations going?" Alex looked at me.


    I nodded. "I''m ready, but I have a


    small request. Can I not join the


    Hastings Group''s recruitment fair."


    Alex looked at me and said, "With your qualifications, are you sure you can even


    pass the recruitment process?"


    I was actually not that confident, but


    I didn''t want to show any weakness


    in front of Alex. "I think so. I might be


    a fresh graduate, but I have a very good record in the university."


    Alex nodded. "Alright. When you''re going through the applications, only apply for


    the office assistant position."


    I asked, "Why? Is it some sort of errand-runner position?"


    "There''ll be lesspetition for the role because it''s not that popr," Alex said with a straight face.


    I frowned slightly. "But I didn''t see that position listed on thepany job site." Alex said, "You must have missed it. Check again once you get home."