I mentally scolded myself and pushed away any ridiculous thoughts before turning to leave Alex''s office.


    My colleagues were already gathering their belongings, ready to head home for the day. Usually, everyone would be in a rush by this time, but today, they seemed to be moving in slow motion. Their eyes kept darting toward the door of the office.


    When they noticed me entering, they all immediately looked down or turned away. Ignoring them, I nced around briefly before heading over to my desk. I packed up my things without saying a word.


    My colleague who was sitting directly across from me shed me a ttering smile. "Serena," she said. "Did Mr. Hastings speak to you about... a possible promotion?"


    I was caught off guard and wondered if she had been eavesdropping.


    "No." I shook my head.


    "Really?" Doubt shed in my colleagues'' eyes.


    "No. Who told you that?"


    "After you left, Oliver stopped by and mentioned that he was only covering for Jolene and that we needed someone permanently in charge."


    As I looked into my colleague''s seemingly innocent eyes, I couldn''t help but clench my teeth. These damn capitalists! Wasn''t this Alex''s scheme all along? By putting me in a prominent position and taking advantage of the rumors, he was trying to manipte me into following his n.


    As I approached my colleague who had been questioning me, I asked, "Oh, Bailey. Which departments did all of youe from before you joined the assistant office?"


    "I used to work in the Assets Department as the assistant to the general manager, and Sam came from the Finance Department."


    "So that means the assistant office only hired internally and didn''t bring in any external candidates?"


    "Yes," Bailey York confirmed with a resigned expression. "The selection process was quite rigorous too. You wouldn''t believe how many of us took the tests for this position. It was seen as an internal promotion opportunity that everyone wanted." Bailey spoke halfway, and Sam Bridgers interrupted her and pulled at her sleeve. Bailey suddenly realized what was happening and gave an awkward smile. "But maybe Mr. Hastings just wanted to bring in some fresh talent for the office assistant position," she said.


    Sam was more direct. "Even if he gave you special consideration as his sister, so what? You deserve it, and your work is top-notch."


    Bailey and the others nodded in agreement. I quickly gathered my things and left the office.


    Upon returning to the dormitory, I recounted every detail of what had urred today to L. L nodded along as she listened, and it wasn''t until finished that I felt a weight lifted from my chest.


    "Don''t you think Alex crossed a line?"


    "I don''t see how he did," L replied as she popped a segment of an orange into her mouth. "In fact, I believe he''s genuinely considering your well-being from all angles."


    "What do you mean?" I looked at L, puzzled.


    "Your involvement is clouding your judgment. As the saying goes, ''The bystander sees most of the game Alex has already warned you that once people find out about your


    family connections, they will


    you''ve been given undue


    advantages.


    "Since it''s alreadye to this, why not graciously ept the perks? Let others talk if they want to."


    A realization dawned on me, and I turned to L with brightness in my eyes.


    "Think about it. When you returned, your colleague immediately asked about a potential promotion. Alex clearly instructed his assistant to prepare everyone for this possibility in advance.


    "They''ve all already epted that you''ll be the supervisor. There must be endless spection happening behind closed doors, if you decline Alex''s offer now, won''t all of that talk have been for nothing?"