Lucas shrugged. "Of course not. It''s the Schneiders'' abandoned factory. They''ll just punish us for mismanagement if they hold us ountable."


    "But this will affect Schneider Group''s reputation. Do you not value thepany''s reputation?" Alex pressed on.


    "I''ve done my best," said Lucas firmly.


    Alex put down his cutlery and looked at Lucas. "No. You haven''t done your best. Instead, you found a way out. Am I right? After you joined Schneider Group, you''ve been working on your ownpany. In fact, you''ve transferred most of Schneider Group''s coborations to your ownpany.


    "Right now, you must hope Schneider Group will be riddled with scandals and dere bankruptcy, right?"


    At that moment, I nced at Lucas in disbelief. I realized his expression had turned grim.


    Lucas scratched the side of the white porcin te. After a long silence, he suddenly chuckled. "I''m surprised you knew about all this, Mr. Hastings."


    "We''ve always been meticulous about our partners," said Alex tly.


    "You''re also aware that Xena and Henry have always secretly wanted to harm me. When I traveled abroadst time, they messed with my project and caused Hastings Group trouble. It''s true that I want to create a way out for myself. At the same time, I want to keep my partners safe," exined Lucas.


    I cast a confused gaze at Alex and shifted it to Lucas. The two men were staring hard at each other.


    "That''s not a way out. If we were tobine the number ofpanies you''re in control of now, you''d be more powerful than Schneider Group. After all, they''ve been involved inwsuits recently."


    Lucas said nothing in response. I stared at Alex, perplexed. "Mr. Hastings... As long as it doesn''t affect the partnership, Hastings Group will be fine, right?"


    Alex turned around and cast me an icy nce. Then, he put down his cutlery and pulled me away. "This meal will be Hastings Group''s treat. We''ll get going first."


    Alex gripped me so tightly that I could not free myself. I turned around to look at Lucas, who was still seated in his seat. He watched Alex pull me away with resignation and helplessness in his eyes.


    "What are you doing?" I hissed as I finally managed to free myself from Alex outside of the restaurant.


    Alex scoffed. "What am I doing? I should be asking you that question."


    I frowned. "I didn''t do anything. Like I said, Lucas and I simply went to the police station to get some updates and came for a meal."


    I eyed him with a puzzled look. "Why do you always make things difficult for Lucas? What Lucas or Schneider Group wants to do is none of our business."


    "Do you think I''m being a busybody?" questioned Alex coldly.


    Sighing, I said, "That''s not what I mean. Alex, why do you always misunderstand what I say?"


    "Do you think I like minding other people''s business? I''m just afraid you''re too blinded to realize Lucas'' intentions. Can''t you tell he has ulterior motives with you?" Alex''s tone wasced with anger.


    Frowning at Alex, I raised my voice. "That''s my business."


    "What did you say?"


    I avoided Alex''s gaze and did my best to control my voice from quivering. "I said it''s my business. Whatever Lucas wants to do to me or whatever happens between us is my business."


    When I finished saying that, I lost all my courage to meet Alex''s gaze. Hence, I fixed my eyes on the ground.