"I was just joking." I shrugged. "Besides, how is merely suspecting something between you and Catherine an insult?"


    Now, it was Catherine''s turn to look displeased. Her gaze toward Samson carried a hint of resentment.


    I casually sat back down and resumed organizing my documents. Patricia discreetly gave me a thumbs-up, and I responded with a subtle smile.


    "Serena, Mr. Hastings wants to see you." It was Oliver again.


    The colleagues who had been enjoying the spectacle of me tearing into Samson quickly scattered. I, on the other hand, froze for a brief moment out of reflex.


    As usual, I made my way to Alex''s office with ease. I had been to the top floor countless times, but this time, my mood was slightly heavier.


    What should I say when I see him? Apologize for my behavior yesterday? Or pretend nothing happened at all?


    "It''s better to pretend nothing happened," I told myself, taking a deep breath.


    To my surprise, Alex seemed to have made the same decision. When I walked in, he simply pushed a stack of documents toward me. "We''re looking to coborate with Excel Group. These are the relevant files. Review them carefully as you''ll be in charge of this partnership."


    I frowned slightly. "But I''m already handling the coboration with Schneider Group. Besides, I''m not the head office assistant anymore. I''m in the R&D department."


    "The R&D department is a powerful division." He picked up another document and flipped through it as he said, "Company policy states that the R&D department is responsible for both product development and project execution. Besides, your position is still technically the head office assistant."


    I nced at my employee badge. The job title was clearly printed in bold "Head Office Assistant".


    "You''re doing this on purpose," I said, my frown deepening.


    "Is your friend''s name L?" he suddenly asked.


    I stiffened. "Are you threatening me?"


    "She owns an online store, doesn''t she? I know she was only able to start it with your help."


    I was taken aback for a moment before nodding. "How did you find out?"


    He gave me a small smile. And just like that, I realized of course, he knew. He


    was Alex. There was nothing he wanted to know that he couldn''t find out.


    Back in university, L had wanted to open an online store, essentially


    acting as a middleman. But the


    process was riddled with obstacles. The suppliers thought her business n was wed while the O emerce tform found issues with her marketing strategy. She kept running into roadblocks.


    Eventually, I revised her proposal, and to our surprise, it was approved on the first


    try.


    He raised an eyebrow at me as if he knew I''d ultimately agree.


    "Fine," I said with a nod. "But I need two assistants to help me manage the workload."


    "No problem," he agreed without hesitation. "I''ll have Oliver select two people from the R&D department to support you. Have a detailed project report on my desk by tomorrow."


    I took the documents and left his office.


    When I returned to the R&D department, Patricia was already waiting eagerly. "Serena, what did Mr. Hastings want?"


    "He put me in charge of the Excel Group coboration." I ced the files on my desk.


    "Excel Group?" Patricia gasped.


    "They''re notoriously difficult to work with! Their strategy is to cast a wide, partnering with multiplepanies at once. Why would Mr. Hastings assign you such a tough project?"