Alex rested his elbows on his knees, his head hanging low. I took a step forward and gently ced my hand on his head. "Don''t worry. No matter what happens, I''ll stand by your side."


    Slowly, he lifted his head, and at that moment, I saw the redness in his eyes.


    A pang of sorrow welled up in my chest, but before I could say anything, he suddenly pulled me into his arms.


    "Serena, you''re braver and bolder than I ever imagined." His deep, maic voice carried warmth, his breath brushing against my hair. And just like that, against my better judgment, I forgave him.


    He cupped my face, leaning in slowly. My heart resisted, yet a shiver ran through me. His warm lipsnded on my forehead, and in that instant, it felt like a volcano had erupted beneath my skin, sending waves of heat rushing through my entire body.


    "Alright. That''s enough." Snapping back to my senses, I shoved him away and pushed him toward the door. "I get it now, and I''ll help you. But for now, please leave. I need to sleep."


    I heard him chuckle softly. Just as I was about to shut the door, his hand shot out to stop me.


    "What are you doing?" I looked at him warily.


    "Get some rest." Alex''s gaze was filled with tenderness. Flustered, I quickly averted my eyes.


    "It doesn''t matter where you book the venue. This whole ceremony isn''t that important."


    I nodded.


    ...


    On the day of the engagement ceremony, the Hastings family was extravagant in


    their disy, inviting nearly half of the business elite.


    "Thank you all for attending my granddaughter, Xena''s, engagement to Alex, the president of Hastings Group." Lester beamed with pride. "Although Mr. Hastings is an


    exceptional young talent, myel


    granddaughter Xena is no less impressive-she''s a truerondy in the business world."


    "I''ve long heard that Xena is a force to be reckoned with. Seeing her today, she certainly lives up to her reputation."


    "Indeed. Not only is Ms. Schneiderpetent, but she also carries herself with such confidence. It''s truly remarkable."


    As whispers of admiration filled the room, I lifted my gaze-only to lock eyes with a pair full of provocation.


    It was Xena. She looked triumphant, wearing the smug expression of a victor standing high above her opponent.


    Maintaining myposure, I raised my ss in her direction and offered a polite


    toast.


    Yesterday, I met with Lucas and Alex. Lucas had asked whether Alex would mind if he disrupted the engagement ceremony.


    "Let''s all raise our sses to my granddaughter, Xena, and my future grandson- inw, Alex," Lester dered, lifting his ss.


    The guests followed suit. But just as the hall fell into a solemn hush, a voice suddenly rang out from the back. "How could you forget to invite me to such a grand asion?"


    I turned around and saw Lucas entering the hall. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, he walked forward at a measured pace. He was nked by a group of elderly men who were shareholders of Schneider Group.


    The moment he appeared, both Xena''s and Lester''s expressions shifted drastically. Xena''s eyes were filled with disdain as if she didn''t consider him a real threat. After all, in her eyes, he was merely an illegitimate son.


    However, Lester clearly knew some unusual information, so the moment he saw Lucas, a look of panic shed in his eyes.


    "Grandpa, how could you not invite me to such an important asion as Xena''s engagement?" Lucas stood below the stage, smiling as he looked at Lester.