"No." Mom was firm and turned back to look at my face.


    Mr. Hastings Senior hadn''t used much force, but my cheek still burned with heat.


    "Maryanne, take my mom back to her room to rest."


    I patted Mom''s shoulder. "It''s going to be okay."


    Mom was led away, and I followed Mr. Hastings Senior into his study.


    "You really had nothing to do with this?" There was still doubt in his voice.


    I nodded resolutely. "It wasn''t me, and it wasn''t Alex. We still need to investigate who''s behind this."


    A flicker of guilt crossed Mr. Hastings Senior''s face. "Then..."


    I shook my head. "This matter is still tied to me. Julian heard my name from the kidnappers, but he''s convinced that it was Alex who orchestrated it. Given the past grudges between them, that''s what led to this situation.


    "And as the supposed person at the center of it all, I haven''t even been


    summoned for questioning yet. That must be because Alex is protecting me. Mr. Hastings Senior, since he''s shielding me and keeping me out of this, I have to do something for him in return."


    Mr. Hastings Senior''s skeptical gaze softened into one of trust. "What do you n to do now?"


    I thought for a moment. "First, we need to stabilize thepany. We must present


    a united front. Mr. Hastings Senior, can you arrange for someone to get information from the police?"


    Mr. Hastings Senior nodded. "You''re thinking in the right direction. I''ll inform Oliver. For now, you''ll have full authority over thepany."


    ...


    When I arrived at Hastings Group, Oliver was already waiting for me at the entrance. "Serena, you''re finally here."


    I stepped out of the car and headed straight for the conference room on the top floor-the one that had always been reserved for Alex. But today, I would be sitting in his ce.


    As I walked in, many employees cast furtive nces my way, but I held my head high and ignored them.


    Inside the conference room, department heads were already gathered, their faces filled with unease. The entire room was gripped by anxiety.


    Oliver cleared his throat. "We just received word from Mr. Hastings Senior. Effective immediately, Ms. Serena Ashford will be overseeing thepany''s operations. The official appointment letter has been issued."


    He held up the sealed document for all to see. I took my seat at the head of the table, the one that belonged to Alex.


    "Everyone," I addressed them, my voice steady I''m sure you''re all aware of what has happened today What I need from you now, as department heads, is to keep teams steady. Don''t allow


    unnecessary rumors to spol.ne


    within thepany.


    "Hastings Group must present a united front. We can''t afford internal doubts and decay. This may seem like a serious issue, but it''s nothing more than a minor setback.


    "However, if any of you fail to manage your departments properly, the first thing I''ll do once this is over is hold you ountable."


    One of the executives spoke up. "Ms. Ashford, with all due respect, your appointment is only temporary. If we ry your instructions, they might not hold much weight."


    I chuckled and Hooked directly at


    him. "My appointment was personally approved by Mr. Hastings Senior, specifically to handle this crisis may not have other credentials, but once this matter is resolved, don''t you think there''s a


    high chance that a report on each of your performances will end up on Mr. Hastings'' or Mr. Hastings Senior''s desks?"


    For the first time, I used the Hastings family''s name to assert authority—and it


    was for the sake of stabilizing theirpany.


    The meeting ended with everyone harboring their own thoughts. Through a mix of pressure and persuasion, I had managed—at least for now-to rein in this group of seasoned executives.