"How did it go?" Lucas rushed up to me excitedly the moment I stepped out.


    I shook my head slowly, wondering how Alex would pacify Xena. I needed to adjust my own performance ordingly.


    I lowered my head slightly and sighed. "Xena''s offer... is too tempting. Luke, can''t you match her terms?"


    Lucas'' face turned pale. He nced disdainfully at Xena, who had just left the conference room. "Every decision regarding development and partnerships must prioritize thepany''s stability."


    She beamed, unfazed by the hidden jab in his words. To her, his sarcasm was nothing more than a harmless itch. "Only those who sit in that position have the right to consider such things. Lucas, you''re just like your mother-soft-hearted and naive."


    I couldn''t help but admire Alex''s skill. With just a few words, he hadpletely reassured Xena, making her believe she had the upper hand.


    Xena and Henry strutted away like two proud roosters. Meanwhile, Lucas looked visibly dejected. "I''m sorry, Serena. I joined thepany toote, so I don''t have the strength topete with Xena yet."


    The confidence he had disyed earlier was gone. In front of me, he always seemed like that helpless young man, constantly bullied by his siblings. Something stirred in me. "It''s okay. I''ll do my best to help you."


    Lucas nodded. "I have to go now. There''s still a lot of work waiting for me."


    After seeing him off, I was about to leave when my phone vibrated with a message from Alex. "Wait for me to finish the meeting. I have something for you to do."


    I rolled my eyes and sighed, resigning to waiting outside the conference room.


    That wait stretched into the night.


    "Hey, why are you still here alone?"


    Just as I was dozing off, the conference room door finally swung open, and Alex stepped out.


    I stood up, frowned, and looked at him with confusion. "Didn''t you tell me to wait here?"


    "I meant, where''s Lucas?" Alex


    casually reached out to smooth et


    stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Aren''t you two always glued


    her?"


    His tone wasced with sarcasm. I snorted. "He doesn''t work for Hastings Group. Why would he stay here waiting with me?"


    My words amused Alex, and his fatigue instantly faded. "Let''s go get something to eat."


    At the restaurant, I devoured my food like a storm.


    "Slow down," he chided, cing more food onto my te while, dabbing at my mouth with a napkin. "You''re eating like you haven''t seen food in a century."  fo


    "Do you know what time it is?" Now that I was full, I had the energy to argue. It''s already 10:00 pm, dude. Even if I were a workhorse, it''d still be my bedtime by now."


    "You''re not done yet." His smile was that of a ruthless taskmaster.


    I sighed in resignation. "About today''s proposals-"


    "No talking while eating," he interrupted. "Hurry up. Our next stop closes soon."


    So, he didn''t want to discuss it? I didn''t press the issue and continued shoveling food into my mouth.


    After dinner, I nced at the time and frowned slightly. "It''s alreadyte. Where are we going now?"


    "To buy you a gown." Alex started the car engine.


    I frowned. "What gown?"