Moreover, Hastings Group had been caught in one public controversy after


    another recently. Even if thepany was truly innocent, the repeated scandals would still leave a bad impression.


    "This is non-negotiable."


    Just as I reached the conference room door, I heard the board members'' angry voices from inside.


    "Time and time again, these incidents have been caused by her! We need to kick her out of Hastings Group or we''ll keep dealing with PR nightmares like this."


    I stopped at the doorway, suddenlycking the courage to push the door open and walk in.


    "Mr. Moore, don''t get too worked up. The first thing we should do when a problem arises is figure out how to solve it."


    It was Alex''s voice, and he sounded exhausted.


    I slowly stepped away from the conference room and returned to the R&D department alone.


    Before long, Alex called me. "Serena, you called me? What''s wrong?"


    His voice came through the receiver, but it felt strangely distant, almost unreal. "Serena? Can you hear me?"


    I forced out a dry chuckle. "It''s nothing. Just that Mr. Hastings Senior might call you."


    On the other end, Alex didn''t press for details, and I didn''t offer any. After a few casual exchanges, we ended the call.


    In the evening, Taylor approached me.


    "Serena, thepany just issued a notice. The project you were responsible for will temporarily be handed over to Patricia and Scarlett."


    I nodded calmly. "Got it. Thanks."


    Patricia and Scarlett exchanged shocked nces before rushing over. "Why did they suddenly take your project away? Did something happen?"


    I forced a weak smile. "Nothing major. You two are in charge now, so just do your best."


    Scarlett grabbed my arm. "Serena, is this because of what happened online today?"


    I looked at her but didn''t say anything.


    "But this isn''t your fault!" she said,


    indignant. "The me should be et


    whoever secretly recorded that video. They vited your privacy!"


    I let out a long sigh. "Once something''s online, reason doesn''t matter anymore. Even if I tracke


    de person who filmed it, that


    solve thepany''s crisis."


    After packing up my things, I left and returned to my small rental apartment.


    Without Alex''s help, I was just an


    ordinary person. If I really had t


    leave Hastings Group, I''d take it as a fresh start. I''d live the kind of simple life an ordinary person should.


    But what I didn''t expect was that the very next morning, Alex actually showed up.


    Still half-asleep, I heard knocking at the door.


    Getting suspended was depressing, sure, but after running around for projects


    these past few weeks, I was honestly exhausted.


    "Who is it?"


    I opened the door in my pajamas, and the moment I saw Alex standing there in a suit, I felt like my entire world had just copsed.


    "You..." I quickly smoothed down my messy hair. "Why are you here?"


    Without a word, Alex stepped inside. It was only then that I noticed the suitcase in his hand.


    "I... I''ll get you some water," I said hesitantly from the doorway.


    But he ignored my offer and got straight to the point. "You''ve heard about thepany''s decision?"


    I nodded.