Julian suddenly got to his feet. "Dad, I thought Alex hired someone to avenge


    Serena because he liked her. But Alex never announced their rtionship. On the other hand, Lucas has admitted to his rtionship with Serena.


    "Lucas, you''re Serena''s boyfriend. Could it be that you''re the one who hired someone to kidnap me?"


    Julian red at Lucas for some time until Lucas suddenlyughed. "Are you trying to frame me like how you framed Alex?"


    Walter''s face turned pale, and he pushed Julian back to the bed. "Enough. You must be too sick, framing everyone you see."


    Elena chimed in gently, "That''s right, Julian. If Mr. Schneider''s the one who kidnapped you, he wouldn''t visit you so brazenly."


    When Lucas exited the ward, his expression turned grim. "Tell the nurse to take good care of Julian. There''s no need to go easy on him."


    There had been no progress on the case. Although thepany''s stock price had been gradually rising, I still felt fearful.


    Turning to Patricia, I said, "Patricia, I''ve got to leave early today."


    Curiosity filled Patricia''s eyes. "Where are you going? Who asked you out? Mr. Hastings or Mr. Schneider?"


    I shook my head. "Neither. I want to pop by the police station to ask about Julian''s kidnapping case. I can''t be at ease until the case is solved."


    I packed my things in a rush and headed to the police station. On the way, I received a call from Lucas. "Where are you, Serena?" he asked.


    Sighing, I admitted, "I''m on the way to the police station. I want to know the updates on Julian''s case."


    Lucas sounded a little hesitant on the other end. Frowning, I asked, "What''s wrong?"


    "I just came out from the hospital, and I think Julian''s full of hostility and aggression toward you. I''m worried about you, so I''ll meet you at the police station."  fo


    I was about to refuse, but Lucas had already hung up.


    s, we did not get any useful information from the police station. I felt disheartened.


    Smiling, Lucasforted me, saying, "There, there. It''s a small matter. Let me treat you to a meal to make you feel better. How about that?"


    I shook my head. "No. You''ve already been a huge help. I can''t let you spend any more money. This one''s on me."


    Lucas fell silent for a while beforeughing gently. "Serena, there''s no need for us to be so calctive in this."


    I objected automatically, "No way. Even siblings are calctive with each other." Before Lucas could say anything, I urged, "Let''s go."


    The moment I sat down at the restaurant, Alex called. It was the first time he had called me since our unspoken cold war. I hesitated but still answered it. "Hello?"


    Alex''s resentful voice rang out. "How could you leave before office hours


    end? Aren''t you being a little too


    casual ever since bing


    evice


    president? Where are you?


    I answered truthfully, "I went to the police station to get some updates on Julian''s case."