Xena crossed her arms with a condescending expression. "Yes."


    "So, what''s your purpose for meeting me today?"


    Narrowing her eyes, Xena scrutinized me. "I hope you and your shameless mother will leave the Hastings residence and disappear from my sight."


    I lifted my head to look at Xena. At that moment, I knew Xena had not only investigated Alex''s background but also looked into my background and the Hastings'' matters.


    I had originally nned to take Mom with me when I left the Hastings residence. However, I couldn''t let Xena talk about Mom like that.


    I took a deep breath and warned her, "Please have some respect when you speak. The fact that my mother has been living in the Hastings residence for many years and Mr. Hastings Senior treats her with respect shows that some mistakes weren''t her fault."


    Xena snickered with disdain. "You and your mother are nothing but worthless trash."


    Her words crossed the line, and I did not think it was worth putting up with her. I picked up my cup of coffee and sshed it on Xena''s face.


    "You''re crazy!" Xena shrieked as she shot up from her seat. Surprisingly, no one came to check on us. Perhaps she had instructed the café''s staff not toe to our table.


    Xena wanted to do the same to me, but I stopped her. ring at her, I hissed out the words, "I warned you to watch what you speak."


    Xena was livid. "You... How dare you treat me like this?"


    I didn''t bother to conceal my


    resentment can give you what you


    want. But you need to understand t


    1.n


    mutual respect. If you insist on being@ggressive, then I don''t mind causing you some trouble before I leave the Hastings residence. Although my mother is a burden, Mr. Hastings Senior still cares about me and believes what I say."


    In the past, I hated people who took advantage of their power to bully or threaten others. However, someone like Xena deserved to be given such treatment.


    "You''ve lost your mind." Xena was no longer her arrogant self. Instead, her eyes had traces of fear.


    "Whether or not I''ve lost my mind is


    not important. I can be a


    madwoman if needed," I stated,


    shing Xena a smile. When I


    released her hand, she hurriedly


    picked up the tissue on the table and dried her clothes.


    "I''ll make you regret it, Serena. Bring him in," ordered Xena, her gaze vicious.


    As I nced at the entrance, I saw two bodyguards dragging someone toward us like a puppet. I focused my gaze and realized it was Lucas.


    "Luke!" With that exmation, I hurried forward to help Lucas up. His face was covered in bruises, and even his lips bore bloodstains.


    I hollered, "Xena! You''re evil! Why would you involve him in our matters?"


    Xena looked as though she was in a frenzy. She approached me and uttered condescendingly, "Of course, it''s a warning for you. To tell you the truth, I don''t like Alex at all."


    I stared at Xena as a terrifying thought came to my mind.


    "It''s just that my family wants to climb higher, and Alex is the perfectdder for us totch on." Xena walked over to Lucas and kicked


    him. "We want to climb up to higher ces as well."


    The terrifying thought in my mind grew stronger. No matter how hard Xena tried to conceal the wild, ambitious look in her eyes, it was enough to send chills down my spine.