Xena could no longer sit still. "Today is my engagement ceremony with Alex! How can you make such an unreasonable demand?"


    "If you think our request is unreasonable, there''s nothing left to discuss." The elder speaking on Lucas'' behalf was unmoved. "As I see it, we old members of West Group should stand by our own. I have no interest in serving those who are heartless and unjust."


    "You—" Xena, furious, wanted to argue, but Lester blocked her path.


    "Grandpa." She turned to him, her expression shifting dramatically. "Once I marry Alex, the benefits to Schneider Group will be substantial."


    "Enough." Lester''s tone was firm. "If Schneider Group falls apart, how do you expect us to work with Mr. Hastings? Stop being willful. If you win, there''ll be no shortage of engagement ceremonies in the future."


    He had made up his mind. No matter how unwilling Xenia was, she could only bite her lip and turn away in frustration.


    I had remained silent the entire time, merely watching from the sidelines.


    Suddenly, Xena stormed over and red at me with pure hostility. "Serena, you must be very pleased with yourself, right?"


    I frowned, puzzled. "Pleased about what?"


    "Pleased that you and that illegitimate child ruined my engagement ceremony!"


    "Xena." Before I could respond, Lucas pulled me behind him. "Let me remind you again—I''m not an illegitimate child. Show some respect."


    "Ms. Schneider, aren''t you being a bit unreasonable?" Alex strode over, his long legs swiftly closing the distance.


    He pulled me away from Lucas, his tone calm. "This is our engagement ceremony, yet your family canceled it without much discussion. And now, you''re here to trouble Serena, trying to shift all the me onto her. How does that make any sense?"


    "I..." Xena was both furious and speechless. She could only re at the three of us with resentment. "Just wait. Sooner orter, you''ll alle begging me!"


    With that, the engagement ceremony fiasco came to an end. As expected, Alex did not go through with the engagement.


    After the event, he sat leisurely in the car, lookingpletely at ease.


    I opened the door and got in, frowning slightly. "Mr. Hastings, isn''t it improper for you to be driving yourself?"


    "Oh?" He seemed amused, lifting his gaze to me. "Since when did you start caring so much about me?"


    I licked my lips. "Isn''t that what an assistant should do?"


    "Well then." He started the car engine. "You drive."


    "No thanks." I waved him off and settled into the front passenger seat. "I don''t have a license."


    The car started moving. After a


    while, I noticed something odd. "This


    elet


    he way back to the hotele


    are we going?"


    Alex kept his eyes on the road


    without answering right away. Jus t he was ignoring


    as I


    I me, he finally said, "To meet your old me."


    I was momentarily stunned before realizing he was referring to Lucas.


    "I''ll say this one more time." My expression darkened. "Lucas and I are just friends."


    "Friends?" He let out a low chuckle. "Are you sure he sees it that way too?"


    I had no idea what Lucas thought, but I wasn''t narcissistic enough to assume that just anyone would have feelings for me. Still, I realized there was no point in exining this to Alex.


    The restaurant was tucked away in a secluded spot. Beyond the corridor was a number of private dining rooms.