I woke up extra early for my first big interview. I had promised Alex I''d give it my best, and I wasn''t about to let him down.


    I gave myself a boost of confidence before grabbing my bag and heading out. To my surprise, I ran into Julian right outside the dorm.


    "Serena," he called out, his face haggard and worn. But my trust in him had long been shattered, so as soon as he stepped toward me, I instinctively backed away.


    "Stay where you are. We can talk from here," I said coldly.


    After all, if he tried another stunt like slitting his wrists, no amount of exnations would clear my name.


    "Serena, why are you acting like this?" Julian frowned, looking hurt.


    But I didn''t let my guard down for even a second.


    "Serena, I....." He faltered, clearly ufortable under the watchful eyes of the students gathering around us.


    "I really love you. Pleasee back to me," he finally said, his voice filled with desperation.


    I scoffed. "Your love is suffocating. It''s shallow and destructive."


    "I..." Julian was stunned into silence.


    "Can you believe this guy?" someone muttered nearby.


    "Yeah, he has the audacity to show up after hurting himself and dragging Serena into that mess, making her deal with all that online abuse."


    "Isn''t the ke family in serious trouble right now? Yet here he is, asking Serena to get back together with him. It seems he''s too rich to care what the rest of the world thinks."


    The whispers of condemnation from the onlookers gave Julian a taste of what I had endured.


    However, Julian turned to me with a pained expression. "Serena, how can you stand by and let people talk about me like this?"


    I raised an eyebrow. "What does this have to do with me?"


    "It''s all because of Alex," Julian said bitterly, stepping closer. "You don''t understand. If it weren''t for Alex''s relentless attacks, the ke family wouldn''t be in this mess."


    "Is Alex the reason the ke familymitted tax fraud and sold counterfeit products?" I asked, my voice icy.


    Julian had no right to criticize Alex.


    Julian flinched at my words and quickly changed his tone. "T-That''s not what I meant," he stammered. "Serena, if you just reconcile with me, the ke family will be able to recover."


    I nodded as if having a revtion. "Oh? But why would I do that?"


    Julian stared at me in shock. "You used to be so kind and selfless. How can you just stand by and do nothing now?"


    I let out a dryugh. "Julian, your situation is a consequence of your own actions. When I needed your help, you chose to threaten me. Now that my problems are resolved, why would I help you?"  S to''


    "No, Serena." His voice cracked with desperation, disbelief clouding his eyes. "You''re not this selfish."


    "This isn''t selfishness. Your problems just have nothing to do with me," I replied, ncing at my watch. The screening test was about to start.


    I turned and walked away, ignoring his shouts behind me.


    After finishing the screening test, I checked my phone and saw a string of missed calls.


    Frowning, I wondered who had been trying to reach me so persistently. Just as I was about to put my phone away, it buzzed again.


    "Hello, is this Ms. Ashford?"


    "Yes."


    "I''m an officer from Southview Police Department. We need you toe in for questioning."


    When the call ended, I stared at my phone, confused. I was unsure of what to make of it.