I was stunned when we arrived at our destination. "Are we buying a gown? Why do I need a gown? Is thepany throwing an annual party?"


    "There''s a banquet tomorrow night." Alex strode inside with his long legs. "You should get dressed up for it."


    "Do you want me to y your date again?" I pouted. "You''re cutting into my off- hours, and I don''t even like those kinds of events."


    "Enough with theints." He picked up a gown and held it up against me as if wondering if it fit. His voice was low, turning what should have been a work- rted task into something that sounded almost like a whispered confession. "You''ll have to get used to this sooner orter."


    "Sooner orter?" My cheeks were already warming up, but I forced myself not to meet his eyes, which were dangerously persuasive. "When exactly?"


    "You''ll find out when the timees." He chuckled lightly, then shoved the gown into my arms before issuing further orders. "This one, this one, that one, and that one-have her try them all."


    After half an hour of trials, we finally settled on a white satin mermaid dress. The gown''s tailored fit entuated my curves, and a butterfly brooch at the neckline added a delicate touch.


    "This one''s perfect," he said approvingly.


    By the time I walked out of the boutique, I was exhausted. Alex, however, was still full of energy.


    I finally remembered to ask about the banquet after he dropped me off, but he said first, "Get some rest tonight. I''ll pick you up tomorrow."


    "Tomorrow..."


    Before I could finish my sentence, his Lamborghini roared to life and shot forward, disappearing down the street within seconds.


    "What kind of banquet is it?" I murmured to myself, then turned to head upstairs.


    When he arrived the next day, I noticed what he was wearing.


    "What?" He looked at me. "Are you dumbfounded?"


    He was dressed in an all-white suit with a butterfly brooch pinned to his chest- just like mine.


    "Hurry up." He didn''t give me a chance to question or react. "The banquet has already started."


    When we arrived, I soon realized this was no ordinary event. It seemed to


    be a private gathering filled with?


    unfamiliar faces, though there were a few I recognized.  fo


    Not far away, Oliver and Taylor were huddled together, seemingly engrossed in some discussion.


    Patricia shrank back upon seeing me and slipped away with her ss in hand. In another corner, Mia stood with a few women from the R&D department.


    Across the room, I also spotted a few researchers from the Schneider family''s team. I had met them once before, so I still remembered some of their faces.


    I turned to Alex, and he raised a brow at me.


    I suddenly realized what this was all about. He had brought me here to sniff out a mole.


    "This is an industry banquet focused on high-tech product development. Make good use of the opportunity," he said, his words carrying a hidden meaning.


    I nodded seriously. "Consider it done."


    "No need to be so tense." He let out a smallugh. "I''m going to greet a few business partners."


    I was speechless. "You want me to rx? Then stop pressuring me."


    As he walked away, I took a moment to think. Then, deciding to cast a bait and see who''d bite, I grabbed a ss of champagne from a nearby table and strolled over to a couch to settle in.