"You''re that worried about Julian, huh?" scoffed Alex.


    I was so speechless I wanted to roll my eyes. "Do you really think I''m worried about Julian? This matter involves the Hastings family. It''s you I''m worried about."


    Alex calmed a little. "Where are you now?"


    "I''m eating with Lucas at a restaurant," I said, my voice weak.


    "Lucas? Just the two of you?" Alex sounded emotional again.


    Nodding, I lied, "It was just a coincidence."


    Meanwhile, Alex fell silent. I hesitated for some time before asking, "H-Have you eaten? We''re eating at a restaurant near the office. Do you want to join us?"


    Half an hourter, when the food was served, Alex arrived at the restaurant. He stepped in and naturally took the seat beside me. "It''s been a while, Mr. Schneider."


    Lucas'' face fell when he saw Alex. "I thought big bosses like you would be busy with all kinds of things."


    Alex raised a brow. "Still, I''ve got to eat. Serena says you were a big help previously. I''d like to extend my gratitude."


    "I was just helping Serena. You don''t need to be so polite," said Lucas directly.


    "But Serena''s objective was helping me. That means you helped me," remarked Alex with a smile.


    Sensing the tension between them, I uttered softly, "Um... Mr. Hastings, Mr. Schneider went to the police station with me to inquire about Julian''s case. He even told me what Julian might be thinking."


    Alex''s expression darkened. "Did you think I wouldn''t be able to look into it if he didn''t tell you? Am I that incapable to you?"


    Alex was being unreasonable. All I could do was lower my head and drink some water.


    "Serena, eat this. The pork ribs at this restaurant are quite good. Give one a try," suggested Lucas as he ced a pork rib on my te.


    I nodded. Just as I was about to pick up my cutlery, Alex took the pork rib and devoured it. "It''s not bad, but Serena doesn''t like pork ribs."


    Alex served me some fish, saying, "She likes fish."


    Alex and Lucas exchanged nces. It was so intense that the tension in the air could be cut with a knife.


    With my head lowered, I diverted the topic. "The police are too slow. The cufflink is such an obvious clue, but they still haven''t found any evidence."


    "Although the cufflink is custom-made from a famous brand, it''s difficult to trace it when there are so many stores all over the country," Alex piped up.


    "The police are even ssifying this as an extortion. That means the cufflink was sold at a cheaper price. Anyone who could afford a cufflink like that would never resort to extortion," I said firmly.


    Lucasforted me, saying, "The case will close only when someone pleads guilty. Maybe the kes have made too many enemies. Perhaps someone took revenge on them and framed the Hastings family for it. Don''t worry too much, Serena."


    I nodded. "It''s just that this involves Hastings Group."


    Lucas kept piling food on my te "Serena, you''re really worried about Hastings Group, huh? Don''t wor


    about Julian''s matter and leave it to police, okay?"


    Suddenly, Alex turned to Lucas. "By the way, the incident happened on your turf. Aren''t you worried?"