Though the situation left a bitter taste in my mouth, I still nodded. "I wasn''t really hurt this time. But if it happens again, I''ll find a way to uncover the truth and make


    them pay."


    After finishing with bandaging my hand, Alex suddenly stared at me.


    "What''s wrong?" I asked, puzzled by his gaze. I frowned and pressed, "Is there something on my face?"


    He didn''t respond. Instead, he reached out again and pulled me into his arms.


    "Thank goodness you''re alright. If anything had happened to you... I''d never forgive myself," Alex said, his voice low and tinged with regret.


    I froze, staring at him in disbelief, my mind momentarily nk.


    What did he mean by that? Why would Alex say something like this? If he continued, I might start getting the wrong idea.


    I hesitated for a long time before finally gathering the courage to ask him directly. But just as I was about to speak, he abruptly stood up.


    "If you''re fine now, I''ll take my leave," he said.


    "Huh?" I was caught off guard. "Oh... Uhm, goodbye, Mr. Hastings."


    At the doorway, he turned back for onest look. "Don''t forget the promise you made to me."


    The door then shut with a heavy thud, leaving me alone to wonder what promise he meant.


    "Wait a second!" I yelled, frustrated. "I take it back! You crafty fox! You didn''t even answer either of my questions honestly, and now, you want me to keep my promise to you?"


    The only response I got was silence.


    When Monday arrived, Oliver delivered Alex''s ''edict'' as expected.


    I discreetly observed my colleagues'' reactions, but everyone seemed indifferent


    on the surface.


    Once Oliver left, they swarmed around me.


    "Congrattions, Serena!"


    "Yeah! Having you as the head is much better than Jolene!"


    Even Bailey chimed in with a frown, "Exactly. Jolene has no shame. After she left Hastings Group, I saw her just the other day clinging to some middle-aged guy."  fo


    "Really?"


    "Of course I''ve always thought she wasn''t that simple. How else could she afford Chanel bags and Dior clothes on a sry like ours? She must''ve been getting money from men."


    Bailey''s gossip sparked a lively discussion as the group clustered together, trading juicy details.


    I wasn''t one for office gossip. As the newly promoted head, I needed to focus on organizing my work.


    Still... my eyes fell on the bandage on my wrist, and my thoughts grew heavy.


    Jolene tried to have me kidnapped. There was no way I could let that slide. If I didn''t teach her and Elena a lesson, they''d think I was easy to bully. After tidying up my documents, I headed to Alex''s office.


    Therge full-length window in his office overlooked half of Grandview. It was a sprawling view of busy streets and towering buildings. This was the kind of luxury only O


    capitalists like Alex enjoyed.


    I cleared my throat, adjusted my expression, and put on a bright smile. "Mr. Hastings."


    He turned to look at me, his brows knitting together as a strange expression crossed his face.