Ronald''s gaze made me physically ufortable. Oliver let out a politeugh and added, "Serena isn''t just an office assistant. She''s also Mr. Hastings'' sister."


    Hearing my identity, Ronald''s grin froze for a moment. Then, with a mix of surprise and disbelief, he carefully scrutinized me. "Oh, my, so you''re the Hastings heiress? How rude of me."


    Looking at his sleazy and pompous demeanor, I became even more convinced that what Oliver had told me earlier was true.


    As we walked out of Ronald''s office, Oliver muttered under his breath, spitting venomously, "That old sleaze bag is absolutely disgusting!"


    I sighed deeply, relieved that I no longer had to put up with the smug Ronald.


    "Ronald still doesn''t know that we''re cutting ties with him," Oliver said, opening the car door and grabbing a bottle of water. He gulped down half of it before continuing, "Nor does he know that the Watson family ising for him. The stage is yours. You can handle it however you like."


    I nodded, pondering my next move. "Let me think about how to y this."


    As we passed a dessert shop on the way back, I suddenly spoke up, "Oliver, stop the car."


    Oliver mmed on the brakes, turning to look at me in confusion. "What''s wrong?"


    "I..." I hesitated, embarrassed. "I want to buy something."


    Half an hourter, I arrived at Alex''s office while carrying a small bag.


    "You''re back?" Alex nced up briefly before returning his attention to the documents on his desk.


    Taking small, hesitant steps, I approached and handed him the bag. "This is for you."


    "What''s this?" He eyed the bag curiously but didn''t reach out to take it.


    "It''s... the fruit tarts you loved when you were a kid," I said, my face turning red.


    Alex had always liked sweets, especially tarts with intricate frosting or jam toppings.


    He stared at me for a moment, then finally took the bag. A faint smile yed across his lips. "Not bad


    You''re finally showing some concern


    Some, huh?"


    His tone... felt oddly intimate.


    With my hands now empty, I fidgeted awkwardly. "I... Uh... Thank you, Alex."


    "For what?" He leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying my flustered state.


    "For


    g with Zegler


    Corporation... As well as Jolene and


    Elena. Oliver told me everything


    today. Thank you."


    "You think fruit tarts are enough to repay me for all that?" His voice carried a yful lilt.


    "What else do you want?" I avoided his gaze, feeling a little overwhelmed.


    What was with Alex? Being so good-looking was already unfair, but did he have to be this charming too?


    "Take me out to dinner tomorrow." He spun his chair slightly. "I''ll pick the ce." Mentally calcting my bank bnce, I nodded. "Alright. You call the shots."


    "Have you decided how to handle the parking garage situation?" Alex stood and approached me.


    I shook my head. "I haven''t had time to think about it yet."


    Picking up a notepad from his desk, he wrote down an address and handed it to me, his gaze


    suggestive. "Tomorrow, dress nicely. You''ll run into someone you''ve been wanting to meet."


    Taking the paper, I looked at him in surprise. "You... You..."