"No need," I instinctively refused. "It''s alreadyte."


    Lucas hadn''t expected me to turn him down, and his gaze dropped slightly.


    "Uh..." I scrambled for an excuse. "It''ste, and we live in opposite directions. If you drop me off first, you''ll get home veryte."


    Hearing my words, a smile finally returned to his face. "But I wouldn''t feelfortable letting you go home alone. Get in the car."


    He took my bag and walked ahead, but for some reason, I felt a strange resistance in my heart.


    "We''re just friends," I kept telling myself. "Why am I hesitating?"


    The parking area was right outside the hotel, with a driveway in between. Lucas


    had already crossed to his car. Seeing me still standing there, he smiled and urged, "Come on."


    "I..." I was about to refuse again when a ck Mercedes G-ss suddenly pulled up in front of me, blocking my view of Lucas.


    The window rolled down slowly, revealing Alex''s face.


    I was genuinely surprised and happy. "What are you doing here?"


    "It''s thiste, and you''re still out, huh? Have you been drinking?" His voice carried a hint of anger. He opened the door, stepped out, and walked over to me. Then, he pulled open the passenger door. "Get in."


    "I..." I wanted to exin, but he didn''t give me the chance. "Get in the car. We''ll talk at home."


    There was a seriousness in his tone that left me no choice but to obey.


    As he walked around the front of the car, he stopped in front of Lucas,pletely ignoring the smile on his face. "Give me the bag."


    Both Lucas and I were caught off guard by Alex''s sudden displeasure. Without another word, Lucas handed him my bag.


    "Mr. Hastings." Lucas took the initiative to exin. "Serena and I are just old friends catching up. Something good happened, and we were celebrating-that''s all."


    "Mr. Schneider, since you put it that way, let''s be frank." Alex held my bag in his hand with a cold expression. "Serena is kind and trusting. But I hope she isn''t just a pawn in your pursuit of power."


    For a brief moment, Lucas'' eyes flickered with something unreadable. He nced


    at me in disbelief, and I instinctively leaned forward, wanting to defend him.


    "Shut up," Alex ordered, not even looking at me. But I knew he was speaking to


    me.


    With his tall frame blocking my view,


    I couldn''t see Lucas'' expression. For about 30 seconds, there was silence. Then, Lucas finally spoke, his voice calm. "Mr. Hastings, I think have misunderstood me."


    You


    "Whether it''s a misunderstanding or not, you know best," Alex said coldly. "ying


    the victim will always work on Serena."


    The rain was growing heavier. Alex turned to leave, but before getting into the car, he added, "Also, I don''t сак want anypany that partners with Hastings Group to exploit their employees. You started from the bottom, Mr. Schneider. You should understand what it''s like for those at the bottom."


    His words were sharp and unforgiving. I turned to Lucas, expecting him to argue


    back. But to my surprise, he said nothing. His face had gone pale.


    A heavy feeling settled in my chest.


    I knew Alex well, and I had thought I understood Lucas. But right now, I wasn''t so sure anymore.


    As the car pulled away, I nced at the rear-view mirror.


    Lucas was still standing there,pletely soaked by the rain. His car was right behind him, but he didn''t move. He just stood there in the storm, watching as Alex''s car disappeared into the distance.