I nodded and continued gathering information on every key figure in Excel Group, organizing it into a document. I was so focused that I didn''t even realize night had


    fallen.


    Footsteps sounded from outside. At first, I assumed it was just security making their routine rounds, so I paid no attention. But the footsteps grew closer and finally stopped right in front of my desk, blocking the light from myputer.


    I looked up abruptly only to see Alex standing there.


    My braingged for a moment. "Are you here to check on me, Mr. Hastings?"


    "Do you even know what time it is?" He frowned. "Why are you still here?"


    "These documents don''t include any information on Excel Group''s key personnel.


    I wanted to put something together so that we could tackle them one by one during negotiations." I gestured forward like I was charging into battle.


    "Go home." Without another word, he switched off the office lights and shut down myputer.


    "Hey, hey, hey!" I jumped up in rm. "I didn''t save my work!"


    I lunged toward the power button, but before I could reach it, he handed me a document.


    I took it, nced at it, and my eyes immediately lit up. "Is this Excel Group''s executive roster?"


    "A lot moreprehensive than whatever you were scraping off the inte. Can you leave now?" He looked at me expectantly.


    I nodded. "Fine, I''m leaving. But if you had this the whole time, why didn''t you give


    it to me earlier? I wouldn''t have had to stayte! Are you messing with me on purpose?"


    He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me.


    "I was joking—just joking!" I grinned while quickly pressing the elevator button.


    "I just got my hands on that document." He stepped into the elevator. "Let''s go. I''ll drive you home."


    "U-Uh..." I stammered. "That''s... not necessary. I can get home on my own."


    "It''ste." He nced at his watch. "I''d rather not take chances."


    I always thought I had boundless energy, but the moment I got into the car, it was as if I had taken a sleeping pill. My eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and before I knew it, I was out cold. In my sleep, I felt a hand gently rest on my head. I cracked my eyes open groggily.


    "You''re sleeping in a bad position." Alex''s voice was unusually soft. "Let me adjust it for you."


    Something about his tone gave me an odd sense of security. I let my eyes close again.


    But I wasn''t asleep for long before a voice pulled me back to reality.


    "Mr. Hastings? Is it really you?" It was a voice both familiar and foreign, and it took


    me a few seconds to process who it was.


    Julian! I had almost forgotten about him.


    I opened my eyes. Julian waved at me, trying to get my attention. "Serena."


    I regretted looking up. He was


    clearly drunk. He didn''t leave even


    after I ignored him and remained


    seated in the car. Instead, he actually tried to walk over to me, only for Alex to grab him by the coffar.


    "Serena doesn''t like you," Alex said coldly. "I''m warning you to stay away from her."


    "Why?" Julian frowned at him. "Mr.


    Hastings, already told you that what happened before was a misunderstanding. I didn''t realize it was you. I thought some creep was harassing Serena."


    "This has nothing to do with that night." Alex shoved his hands into his pockets. "Serena never wants to see you again. You should take the hint and keep your distance."


    With that, he got back in the car, stepped on the gas, and drove away from Julian without hesitation.


    "If you ever run into him again, just tell him to get lost," Alex said in a sharp voice filled with irritation. "He wouldn''t dare do anything to you."