Xena''s expression darkened instantly, and her eyes shed with both anger and unwillingness. "Alex, are you really not going to show me even a shred of


    consideration?"


    Alex frowned, shooting her a nce. "I hate mixing personal matters with business the most. Besides, Ms. Schneider, you and I have nothing personal to discuss."


    "But..." Xena took a step forward, trying to get closer to Alex.


    But before she could, he shifted to the side and stood next to me instead. "This conversation ends here.


    "Ms. Schneider, we both know what''s really going on. If you continue making a scene, I won''t hesitate to go head-to-head with yourpany."


    Knowing she was at a disadvantage, Xena had no choice but to drop it.


    "Mr. Schneider, since the decision has been made, let''s move forward with the contract signing as soon as possible." Alex had yed his cards perfectly. As he turned away, he added, "From now on, people irrelevant to our coboration shouldn''t be stepping into Hastings Group anymore."


    Xena''s face twisted with fury, but she was powerless to do anything about it.


    "Let''s go." Alex paused slightly beside me.


    "Mr. Hastings." Lucas suddenly spoke up. "Uh... I was wondering... would you and Serena be free to have dinner with me tonight?"


    A surge of excitement welled up in my chest. Other than L, Lucas was my closest friend. I genuinely wanted to see him seed, and now that he had secured such a major victory, it was definitely worth celebrating.


    So, when Alex turned to look at me, my eyes were full of anticipation.


    "I have ns tonight," he said coldly.


    Both Lucas and I couldn''t hide our disappointment.


    "You two go ahead," Alex added after a pause.


    At dinner, Lucas had specially ordered an expensive bottle of wine to mark the asion.


    "This is great." I beamed at him. "Luke, you''re officially the heir to the Schneider family now. No one will dare to push you around anymore."


    I expected him to be thrilled, but instead, his expression was filled with worry.


    "What''s wrong?" I asked in confusion. "Didn''t Alex just sign the contract with you? Why do you still look so down?"


    "Xena isn''t leaving Schneider Group. She''s staying on as vice president."


    "What?" My voice shot up, drawing nces from nearby diners. I quickly lowered it again. "That''s not what was


    led upon! How can Lester


    just go back on his word like that?"


    Lucas continued, "Not only that, but thepany''s board members are all Lester''s people. Serena, my position at Schneider Group is going to be an uphill battle."


    Seeing the frustration on his face, my heart ached for him, but I felt powerless to help.


    If Lucas had lost the fight, Lester would have kicked him out without hesitation.


    But since it was Xena who lost, Lester was openly ying favorites.


    "This is ridiculous." I couldn''t hide my frustration. "Xena tampered with the contract. She has no integrity whatsoever! And yet, Schneider Group still wants to keep her!"


    But there was no useining. Both Lucas and I knew that nothing would change.


    After dinner, we stepped outside to find that it had started raining. The sky was a dull, overcast gray.


    "Serena, you''ve been drinking, and it''s raining. It''s not safe for you to go home alone. Let me drive you." Lucas naturally reached out and took my bag.