"The suspension was decided by my father and the board members. I''ll do my best to fight for you." Alex looked at me.


    I slowly lowered my gaze. "This whole situation... did start because of me, so maybe I should just—"


    "Just what?"


    Alex suddenly stood up, his tone turning serious. "Serena, you''re not the one at fault here. Are you really going to give up over something this minor?"


    "I..."


    If I was being honest with myself, I didn''t want to lose this job. I had personally overseen the coborations with Schneider Group and Excel Group. I absolutely didn''t want to drop the ball at such a critical moment.


    "Think it over." Alex grabbed his suitcase and stood up. "I''m heading back to the Hastings residence tonight."


    Just as he was about to leave, I gritted my teeth and made up my mind. "Wait." He turned back to look at me.


    "I''ming with you." I was firm. "I''ll go back with you and apologize to Mr. Hastings Senior."


    A hint of relief shed in Alex''s eyes as he paused at the doorway.


    At the Hastings residence, the dining table was tense with silence.


    Mr. Hastings Senior sat with a solemn expression while Mom''s gaze toward Alex was filled with dissatisfaction.


    I took the initiative to speak. "Mr. Hastings Senior, I came back today to apologize to you. That incident the other day dragged you into unnecessary trouble."


    Hearing my words, Mr. Hastings Senior''s expression softened.


    "It''s not entirely your fault. What''s more important now is figuring out who''s pulling the strings behind the scenes and finding a way to recover thepany''s losses."


    Just as the atmosphere was starting to ease, Mom suddenly spoke up. "There''s no need to apologize. What are you even apologizing for?"


    I frowned and turned to her. "Mom, can you not say anything for once?"


    Mom red at Alex with


    resentment. "Alex, I know you''v


    been holding a grudge against me all these years. But I''m begging you, please don''t take it out on Serena."


    Alex looked at her in surprise, while Mr. Hastings Senior''s brows furrowed into deep lines.


    "Come to the study with me." He got up and motioned for Alex to follow.


    Once they left, Mom sat at the dining table, looking visibly hurt. "Serena, I''m worried about you. As your mother, I just want what''s best for you."


    I let out a long sigh.


    "Mom, who''s been putting these ideas in your head?" I asked. "If Alex really wanted to take revenge on me, he wouldn''t even need to lift a finger to render me unable to survive in Grandview.


    "Ever since I joined Hastings Group, Alex has kept me by his side,


    teaching me the ways of business


    and helping me improvemness-t


    Putting aside our personal rtionship, he''s been my mentor and benefactor.


    "Besides, this whole mess happened because someone filmed us at the café and uploaded the video online. That''s what caused Hastings Group''s share price to drop."


    Mom stared at me in stunned silence.


    "Mom, I genuinely don''t understand why you believe these ridiculous ideas so stubbornly."


    Her defiance slowly faded, reced by doubt. "It... It was that guy who told me." "Julian?" I was speechless.


    "Mom, Julian is a scammer. He tricked me out of my money before, and now, he has nearly ruined my career. Why do you still believe him?"


    "I..." A flicker of panic shed through her eyes. "I just thought what he said made sense. I didn''t expect things to turn out like this."


    I exhaled in frustration.


    "I''ll deal with Julian myself. Mom, can you promise me that from now on, you''ll talk to me first before believing anything?"