"It''s okay." Alex patted me reassuringly. "See? I''m fine. Let''s go home."


    As we walked out of the police station, neither of us spoke.


    "How''s thepany doing?" Alex suddenly asked.


    Oliver nodded and replied, "Mr. Hastings Senior temporarily appointed Ms. Ashford as the acting head of thepany. Although Ms. Ashford had to take over on short notice, she handled everything methodically. There''s been a lot of spection externally, but things are stable internally."


    Alex turned to look at me in disbelief, and then his eyes filled with heartache. "Serena, you''ve worked hard."


    I shook my head.


    Alex suddenly chuckled. "Looks like I was worrying too much before. Turns out, our Serena is quite capable, isn''t she?"


    Hearing his yful, almost childlike tone, I couldn''t help but huff. "I''m not a child anymore."


    "Looks like you can take on big responsibilities in thepany now. I used to always worry about you, but it seems I underestimated you."


    I frowned and looked at him seriously. "Can you stop joking around? I was really worried about you! Something this serious happened, and you didn''t even tell me. You even had Oliver keep it from me!"


    My eyes welled up again. Alex pulled me into his arms, gently patting my back. "Alright, alright. I just didn''t want to scare you. I won''t do it again, okay?"


    His voice was unbelievably soft and tender.


    Normally, I would''ve pushed him away, but today, the worry and grievances I had been bottling up could only be eased by his embrace. So, I let him hold me. I knew this wasn''t right, but I couldn''t help but sink into it.


    Alex reached out and wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes, his gaze full of warmth. "You''ve grown up."


    When we arrived at the Hastings residence, Mr. Hastings Senior and Mom were already waiting at the door.


    Both of them were craning their necks expectantly, but the moment they saw the car approach, Mr. Hastings Senior stiffened and turned his head away.


    "Mom, Mr. Hastings Senior, we''re back." I got out of the car and walked over to Mom.


    Gone was the gentle, vulnerable Alex from the car. Now, despite his messy hair and exhausted expression, he exuded authority.


    "Dad."


    "Hmph!" Hearing Mr. Hastings Senior''s cold snort, Mom and I exchanged a nce.


    Mr. Hastings Senior shot a look at Alex. His eyes were clearly filled with worry, but his tone remained harsh. "You''re already an adult, yet you still get into this kind of trouble.


    Alex remained silent, letting Mr. Hastings Senior scold him without protest.


    But I knew the truth-Alex had beenpletely innocent in this. If anyone was responsible, it was me.


    Mom must have realized it too because she stepped forward to calm Mr. Hastings Senior. "Mr. Hastings Senior, it wasn''t his fault, so why are you ming him? Look, Alex is back, and everything bas been resolved. Let''s just let him go inside first, alright?"


    Only then did Mr. Hastings Senior step aside.


    Mom shot me a look, and I quickly grabbed Alex''s arm and pulled him inside.


    Behind us, Mom chuckled. "You clearly care about Alex, but as soon as hees back, you act all stern. What''s the point of that?"


    She then turned to Alex. "Go freshen up. I''ll make you both something delicious."


    At the dinner table, Alex had already showered and changed. He was no longer the disheveled man who had just walked out of the police station.


    Instead, he had once again transformed into theposed businessman he was known to be.