Despite her attempt to hide it, I could sense that she was uneasy and dissatisfied in this ce. I ate my meal in silence. Just as I finished eating, my phone rang, drawing the attention of the other three at the table.


    I didn''t recognize the number, but I answered anyway, "Hello?"


    After I hung up, Alex''s gaze lingered on my phone.


    "Who was that?" Mom asked with concern. "I heard you talking about a housing agent on our previous call."


    I nodded in response.


    "What?" Mr. Hastings Senior eximed, turning to re at Alex. "We have plenty of properties avable. How could you let Serena rent an apartment? You''re supposed to be her brother."


    I quickly interjected, "It''s not Al''s fault, Mr. Hastings Senior. I want to find an apartment on my own. I can''t rely on Al for everything."


    "Why is that a problem?" Mr. Hastings Senior responded with dissatisfaction. "We''re family, after all."


    Mom chimed in, "Serena is right. Alex has already done so much by arranging a job for her. Serena can handle finding an apartment on her own."


    I nodded in agreement. "Mom is right. And the housing agent just called me. He''s found a perfect apartment for me. It''s in Maplewoods, which is right next to thepany, and the rent is affordable."


    "Maplewoods?" Mr. Hastings Senior first looked confused with his brows furrowed, but then he quickly agreed. "Okay, okay. Maplewoods is great. Serena, about the rent..."


    I held up two fingers in front of Mr. Hastings Senior. In Grandview, I was extremely lucky to find such a well-located apartment at this price.


    Mr. Hastings Senior''s re met Alex''s meaningful gaze. "That''s more like it," Mr. Hastings Senior said.


    I sensed something was amiss between them. Could it be that Mr. Hastings Senior thought Alex should have provided me with a free apartment to live in?


    As we drove back to the city after dinner, I couldn''t stop thinking about what Mom had said to me in her room. She truly wanted me to live a good life, but it seemed like an impossible task. I couldn''t just leave her alone and live a carefree life on my own.


    I looked over at Alex. "I agree with what you said earlier."


    He smiled slightly as he focused on driving. We took a sharp turn, and he said in a cheerful tone, "The personnel appointment should be finalized by the beginning of next month."


    I closed my eyes for a moment. When I reopened them, determination shone through.


    If everyone was going to talk about me anyway, perhaps I should take advantage of it like L had suggested. As for work, I would put


    in even more effort to truly impress others.


    "Actually, this will benefit us both," Alex exined abruptly. "When you and Nicole went upstairs earlier, my dad kept ming me for not taking good care of you and only allowing you to be a regr employee. With this position, I can deal with him about it."


    "Can you answer my questions now?" I looked at Alex.


    "Sure."


    I coughed before asking the first question, "In the past, the assistant office only hired from within thepany. Why did you suddenly decide to recruit externally this year?"


    I already had an answer in mind, but I never fully trusted my own thoughts. I needed to hear Alex say it out loud in order for it to feel true.


    "Because there was a need for it this year," Alex replied slowly. "Did you think I opened up the recruitment specifically for you?"