"What else could I do if I didn''t agree?" I frowned at Alex. "A few days ago, I was nearly abducted while shopping. If I refused Xena, who''s to say they wouldn''t just take me by force?"


    Alex fell silent. After a long pause, he finally looked at me. "The apartment you''re living in in Upton-it''s mine. I''ll have Oliver transfer the ownership to you. If... in the end, I marry Xena, I''ll arrange for you to go abroad and oversee our overseas projects."


    His words caught mepletely off guard.


    Firstly, I was shocked to realize that the apartment I had painstakingly searched


    for belonged to this cunning businessman. A third of my monthly sry had returned to his pocket.


    Secondly, I was stunned by his n.


    "I don''t want to go abroad," I said, looking at him.


    "Hmm..." He hesitated for a moment. "I can arrange for you to oversee the projects in Clouteria. You can take your mother and settle there."


    I studied Alex carefully. His eyes were filled with loss. In all the years I had known him, this was the first time I had seen him so defeated. A part of me ached for him, but another part wanted to mock him mercilessly.


    Yet when I opened my mouth, the words wouldn''te.


    I scoffed instead. "Alex, do you think you''re some kind of hero? My shelter from the storm? The most capable man in the world?"


    When he heard my sarcasm, his brows furrowed slightly. "You found out?"


    "I ran into the core team from the R&D department at the hotel. Their faces said everything."


    Thest bit of strength he had been holding onto finally crumbled. He slumped onto the bed, looking utterly dejected. "Serena, I never wanted you to be caught up in this. All I ever wanted was for you to live a safe, happy life."


    "Get lost." I waved my hand dismissively. "That''s just what you want. What about what I want?"


    Alex lifted his head in surprise.


    "I don''t want to live as you''ve nned. I''m not some fragile flower in a greenhouse that can''t handle a little wind and rain. Alex, I can help you too."


    Aplicated mix of emotions flickered in his eyes gratitude, surprise, and something else I couldn''t quite name.


    He stepped forward as if to embrace me, but I raised a hand to stop him. "Hold it right there."


    I met his gaze. "I haven''t forgiven you. First, I need you to tell me exactly what''s going on."


    Alex stared at me for a long moment before finally letting out a deep sigh. "The Schneider family stole thepany''stest research results. They''re using it as leverage against me Schneider Group will provide the necessary polymeric materials if I proceed with the marriage.


    "But if I refuse, Hastings Group won''t be able tounch the new product at all— because we won''t have the materials."


    His voice was weary, and his


    demeanor was drained. "This


    research is critical. The entire industry has been waiting for it. If we fail, the billions we''ve invested over the years will go up in smoke And that would impact all of Hastings Group."


    I understood his predicament. My heart ached for him.


    "Have you found out who leaked the confidential information?" I asked.


    Alex shook his head. "There are no leads."


    That meant the only option for now was to y along with the Schneider family while investigating from within.