I did not respond. Frustrated, Alex scratched his head. "Why did you agree to his suggestion?"


    "I-I" I stammered, unable to say anything. I agreed to the suggestion in front of Mr. Hastings Senior because I didn''t have any feelings for Alex. Now that I was facing Alex, I doubted if I truly had zero feelings for him. I couldn''t bring myself to say anything.


    "Many things have been happening in thepany recently. Everything''s a mess, and even theizens are discussing it. I feared it''d affect you. It''s... the best oue," was the answer I coulde up with.


    "I''m not happy about it. Did you think of the consequences?" Alex crossed his


    arms.


    "I..." I looked up at him, panic shing through my eyes.


    Suddenly, Alex straightened himself and gave me a serious stare. "Serena, I want you to tell me the truth. What are your feelings for me?"


    Alex''s eyes were filled with anticipation. It was my first time seeing that look on his face.


    Softly, I said, "I-I only see you as my brother. I apologize if I''ve done anything that gave you the impression otherwise."


    Alex''s eyes bore into mine as if he wanted to find a different answer in my eyes. Hence, I mustered my courage and stared back at him while I uttered that lie.


    He looked at me in disbelief. "You obviously care about me. This matter has proved that you like me. Do you dare deny you don''t have any feelings for me, Serena?"


    "I don''t. It''s only normal for me to worry about you. This problem arose because of me. You''re the CEO of Hastings Group. Many people depend on you for a living," I answered firmly.


    Alex suddenly raised his voice in anger. "You''re lying. Everything in the past proves that you like me. How could you be so cowardly?"


    I let out a long, helpless sigh. "But our rtionship has to stay this way. Otherwise, how will my mother get along with the Hastings family? Do you want her to carry a lifetime of shame?"


    My questions brought a trace of rationality back to Alex. Looking conflicted, he said, "I''ve thought


    about that, but I couldn''t help bumet


    lose my temper when I saw how


    close you were to Lucas. Trust me, okay? Trust me. I''ll take care of this. Don''t give up so easily." Alex


    grabbed my shoulder as if he was


    losing his mind.


    I felt bad seeing Alex behaving that way. Suppressing the grievance in my heart, I


    pushed Alex''s hand away. "I''ll get going first."


    I took the car keys and left instantly


    look


    The Alex''s face made my


    tache. I feared I would cry and


    throw myself into his arms ifd stayed a second longer.


    When I reached home, I was greeted by L, who had been anxiously waiting for


    me. She looked relieved as soon as she saw me. "Thank goodness you''re alright."


    I nodded, teary-eyed.


    Noticing how emotional I looked, L inched forward. "What''s wrong? Why are you crying?"


    At that moment, I let my tears flow freely. I was trembling as I recounted everything that happened.


    "Did Alex really say that?" L''s eyes were filled with confusion after she finished listening to me.


    I nodded.