During the dinner, Alex was treated as a superstar. Lester was extremely attentive, asking Alex questions about the business and his personal life- everything but the main topic of our coboration.


    Lester was being annoying and difficult again.


    Just as I had wished, Oliver and I were ced in a quiet corner of the venue. At least I could dig in without being watched.


    "Mr. Hastings, you''re at a marriageable age. Don''t you have a girlfriend?" Lester piped up.


    I froze as I tried to listen to Alex''s answer, but his reply did note. I looked up to observe his face, but our eyes met. I hurriedly looked down, my mind a mess.


    Why was he staring at me?


    Once again, bold ideas shed across my mind. I quickly stuffed a piece of steak into my mouth and pretended that nothing had happened. I dared not look at Alex again, yet I couldn''t set my eyes on anywhere else.


    Panicking, I was in a limbo.


    Suddenly, Alexughed out loud. He replied to Lester, "I''m still working on it."


    What did that mean? I didn''t understand him. I tried to steal a nce at him, but he had already lowered his gaze.


    Perhaps it was just an illusion. The thought saddened me.


    "Still working on it? Can I take it as you''re still single?" Chuckling merrily, Lester said, "I won''t beat about the bush with you, Mr. Hastings. Xena is my only daughter and my right hand woman in business. What do you think of her?"


    Shocked, I dropped my fork. Xena came across aspetent, diplomatic, and calctive. But she wasn''t the best candidate for Alex''s girlfriend.


    Lucas once warned me about Xena, telling me she was hypocritical. I Alex married a woman like Xena, he would have to deal with her trickery all the time. That sounded very exhausting.


    "Ms. Schneider is, of course... a fine woman." Alex dodged the topic of conversation.


    Lester ced his fork on the table and put on a serious expression. "I''ll be honest with you. Across


    Aldend, only Schneider Group


    owns the polymeric materials that you need. Ronald Zegler from Grandview sourced his stock from us too. If you refuse to cooperate with me, I promise you''ll never get your hands on the materials you need."


    The wine in Alex''s grip suddenly shook. I couldn''t see the look in his downcast eyes, but I knew he felt irritated and threatened.


    Alex hated the feeling of being threatened; he''d try his best to resolve all threats to sleep peacefully at night. He was stubborn just like that.


    "Mr. Schneider, what is it that you want to say?" As expected, Alex sounded grim.


    However, Lester seemed oblivious to his emotions. Lester exined, "Aside from the polymeric materials, we''re able to get our hands on other rare materials as well."


    Alex let out a soft chuckle. "Are you that confident?"