L leaned in closer to me in a mysterious manner. "Besides, can you even imagine the gossip that would circte if you don''t take advantage of this opportunity?"


    Suddenly, it hit me, and I frowned in frustration. "Alex just exposed my identity like that. It''s too..."


    "Too what?" L''s expression mirrored mine. "Serena, I think you''re so paranoid about avoiding suspicion that it''s driving you insane. If your true identity as a member of the Hastings family isn''t revealed, then you''ll probably get a new one."


    "What?"


    "Alex''s secret lover, someone who will stop at nothing to be with him!"


    L''s words were blunt, catching me by surprise. I happened to be taking a sip of water when she said it and ended up choking and coughing uncontrobly. My face turned red because of it.


    ...


    As I thought about my uing weekend ns on Friday, the phone suddenly rang. To my surprise, it was Mom on the other end of the line. She rarely called me since I started working at Hastings Group.


    "Hey, Mom," I answered the phone and tried to keep my voice down as much as possible.


    "Serena, how''s work?"


    "Pretty good, Mom. Do you need something?"


    Her cheery voice came through the phone. "Oh, it''s nothing. Why don''t youe back for a family dinner this weekend? Alex will be here too, and want to make all your favorite dishes."


    "Mom, I''ll be busy looking for an apartment this weekend." My response was almost automatic. The thought of going back to that house made me uneasy.


    "But Robert already mentioned it to Alex." Mom didn''t give me a chance to decline. "It''s been ages since I saw you. Juste after work with Alex."


    "Mom!" I eximed. "I..."


    The phone on the other end was already buzzing with a busy signal.


    I stared at my phone, feeling helpless. I then shifted my gaze to Alex''s office door.


    I couldn''t help but feel a bit dejected.


    After work, I was thest one out of the office. As I reached thepany entrance, I saw Alex waiting for me.


    He had changed his car again today. The ckLand Rover loomed like a massive beast, and Alex seemed to


    be its master. He was waiting for me to approach beforemanding the beast to devour me.


    My steps felt heavy as if weighed down by lead. Once I finally got into the car and


    fastened my seatbelt, Alex wasted no time in starting the engine.


    He had ditched his usual suit and was now dressed in casual clothes-a light gray short-sleeved shirt and ck trousers. He also had a pair of sunsses perched on his face. At that moment, Alex didn''t seem like a powerful president but more like a wealthy yboy emanating an air of sophistication.


    "You took your time leaving work today," Alex remarked as we turned out of the<ppany gate. "You''re usually the first one out of the office."