I finally felt a bit relieved. I believed in Alex, but I was also worried he might have acted impulsively.


    Wiping away my tears, I reminded myself that this was not the time for crying or weakness-I had to find a way to help Alex.


    "Serena, is this really that serious?" L looked at me with concern. "If Alex is innocent, then there''s nothing to worry about, right?"


    I took a deep breath to calm myself down while changing my clothes. "L, Alex is


    the CEO of Hastings Group. This matter has to be handled properly, or the impact on thepany could be unpredictable."


    "What are you going to do now?"


    I finished getting dressed and grabbed my car keys. "I''m going to the Hastings residence to see Mr. Hastings Senior."


    "Serena." L grabbed my hand, her voice trembling with urgency. "Right now, Mr. Hastings Senior must be furious. If you go back, he might me you too."


    "But I have to go." My tone was firm. "I don''t know who''s really behind this, but L, from the moment the kidnappers mentioned my name, I was already involved."


    I drove straight to the Hastings residence.


    The first person to notice me was Mom. The moment she saw me, a sh of surprise crossed her face before she rushed over in a panic, lowering her voice. "Why did youe back?"


    "Mom." I looked at her. "I''m here to see Mr. Hastings Senior."


    "You... You found out?" Mom''s eyes welled up with anxious tears. "He''s furious right now. Just go back. I''ll talk to himter."


    "No." I was firm. "I have to see him now. I need to speak with him."


    "You stubborn child." Seeing that she couldn''t persuade me, Mom tried to push me out. "Go home to your own ce."


    I stood my ground. Just then, Mr. Hastings Senior came storming toward us, his expression dark with fury.


    Mom noticed him too and quickly


    stepped forward. "Mr. Hastings


    Senior, there must be some


    vel


    Sunderstanding. This has nothing


    to do with Serena. You can''t-"


    A loud pnded on my face, and Mom screamed in shock. I took a deep breath and remained still.


    "How dare you hit my daughter?" Mom shrieked, confronting Mr..


    Hastings Senior. "I''ve never a


    hand on her, not once! What right do you have to hit her?"


    "This entire mess started because of her." Mr. Hastings Senior''s face was livid, his breathing heavy.


    "I''ve treated you well, haven''t I? So why would you do this? I''ve always told Alex to help you, to make sure you wouldn''t suffer any losses with that Julian ke kid. What more could you possibly want? You''re just a young woman, and you actually went and orchestrated a


    kidnapping?"


    I realized Mr. Hastings Senior thought I was responsible for Julian''s kidnapping and that Alex had taken the fall for me.


    Taking a deep breath, I met Mr. Hastings Senior''s gaze. "Mr. Hastings Senior, I


    had nothing to do with this. Can I speak with you alone?"


    His eyes narrowed with suspicion as he scrutinized me. I stood still and let him examine me as much as he wanted.


    "No." Mom stepped in front of me, shielding me protectively.


    "Mom." I gently patted her shoulder to reassure her. "What''s done is done, and we need to solve it. Go back and rest in your room."