Mr. Hastings Senior didn''t specify what aspect of Alex he was asking about.


    I knew this was a test. My throat moved with difficulty, but I forced a light smile as


    I looked at him. "Mr. Hastings Senior, I think you''ve trained Mr. Hastings to be too perfect."


    Mr. Hastings Senior''s gaze instantly became wary. "What do you mean?"


    "Mr. Hastings'' business skills and strategies are far beyond what others his age could achieve. In just a few years, he has expanded Hastings Group several times over, which proves that he''s more than capable."


    Hearing this, Mr. Hastings Senior finally rxed. "Besides that?"


    "Hmm..." I pretended to think for a moment. "He''s also very generous to his employees."


    Mr. Hastings Senior finallyughed heartily. "Serena, I''ve been considering something for a while. I really like you as a daughter, so I was thinking of changing yourst name."


    "Why?" I asked, feigning curiosity.


    "I want to change yourst name and then choose a day for a formal introduction.


    I want everyone to know that you''re my daughter," Mr. Hastings Senior said with a hint of concern in his voice.


    "I''m sure you''ve seen the heated discussions online about you and Alex. Hastings Group can''t afford to be caught in such gossip. Besides, you and Alex are both young, and being entangled in a scandal like this is not good for either of you. Don''t you agree?"


    I nodded. "I''ll do whatever you want."


    ...


    When we were leaving at night, Mr. Hastings Senior deliberately gave Alex a look. "You should really learn from Serena. Look how sensible she is."


    Alex nced at me in confusion, but I quickly averted my eyes, avoiding his gaze.


    "Be nicer to Serena from now on. In a few days, I''ll choose a time to publicly announce that she''s my daughter," Mr. Hastings Senior said, looking at Alex.


    Alex''s first reaction was to look at me. I forced myself to smile and turned toward Mr. Hastings Senior.


    I didn''t dare look at Alex. I was afraid I''d see disappointment and sadness in his eyes. And if I did, I knew I would feel disappointed and sad too.


    After saying goodbye to Mr. Hastings Senior and Mom with a smile, I got into the car with Alex.


    "Is this because of the suspension?" Alex suddenly asked.


    I froze for a moment but still didn''t have the courage to look at him. I could only stare straight ahead.


    "No. Mr. Hastings Senior suggested it, and I didn''t want to refuse. If people know we''re siblings, it''ll save us a lot of trouble in the future."


    Alex didn''t respond, but he suddenly


    pressed the gas pedal hard. The


    luxury car shot forward like an- arrow, causing a dizzying,


    weightless sensation. I instinctively


    grabbed the handle for support.


    Then, just as abruptly, he slowed the car down, and we continued the rest of the drive in silence.


    When we reached my building and just as I was about to get out, Alex finally said, "Don''t worry about thepany. I''ll have Oliver handle it. For now, just treat this as a vacation."


    I nodded, got out, and watched as he drove away.


    The ck car looked like a massive beast when it was in front of me. e. But as it drove off, it gradually shrank into a tiny red dot in the distance until it disappearedpletely.


    A sharp pain spread in my chest, and it felt as if a piece of me had been carved away.


    I didn''t sleep all night.


    The first call I received the next morning was from L. On the other end of the line, she sounded unusually excited.


    "Serena, I''m back in Grandview!"


    "Really?" My heart should have been jumping with joy, but my soul felt empty.


    "What''s wrong? You sound so lifeless. Aren''t you happy that I''m back?"