"A property deed?" Alex frowned. "It must be the vi by Saffron Creek. That ce has been vacant for years. My father bought it long ago."


    Oliver didn''t know much about Mr. Hastings Senior, so he couldn''t make any assumptions. "That, I''m not sure about."


    "I see." Alex forced himself to stayposed, trying to figure out why Spencer had met with Serena.


    "This morning, I ran into Ms. Ashford. She looked exhausted, and her eyes were red. Clearly, she had been crying." Oliver sighed.


    "What?" Alex abruptly turned around. "Serena cried?"


    Oliver nodded. "That''s what it looked like to me."


    "Alright." Alex suppressed the unease in his chest and forced himself to remain calm. "You can go now."


    On my way home from work, I spotted Alex''s car downstairs. I hesitated momentarily, then dismissed the thought. He wouldn''te here. He probably hated me now.


    I let out a long sigh.


    But as I reached my door, I realized I hadn''t been imagining things. He was actually standing there.


    The moment I turned the corner and saw him, I froze.


    "What are you doing here?" I asked, walking toward him.


    "I''m waiting for you." He leaned against the wall, the faint scent of tobo clinging to him. "Serena, did my father talk to you?"


    I nced at him silently, then took out my keys to unlock the door. "Yeah, to discuss putting my name in the family tree."


    "Serena." He suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm. "Are you really going to officially be his daughter?"


    I pushed the door open while trying to keep my voice steady. I didn''t want to appear weak in front of him. I had already agreed to this with Mr. Hastings Senior, and I needed Alex to believe I had no second thoughts.


    "What other choice do I have?" I raised an eyebrow slightly. "My mom married Mr. Hastings Senior, and this is how things should be. Come in."


    Alex stepped inside, but before I could take another step, he wrapped his arms around me from behind.


    "Serena, I don''t believe you feel nothing for me."


    I fought back the tears welling in my eyes. "Alex, we''re not young anymore. We''re adults now."


    He let go of me, and I walked into the kitchen. I took a long breath to steady myself. When I returned with two sses of water, he was already sitting on the couch, looking utterly defeated.


    I handed him a ss.


    He took a moment before finally lifting his gaze. "I wasn''t deliberately trying to target Lucas that night at dinner. It''s just that he''s not as


    innocent as you think. I''m just


    worried he''ll deceive you."


    I nodded. "I understand. I''ll be more careful in the future."


    Alex gave a barely audible hum in response, and the silence stretched between


    us.


    After a long pause, he said again, "I have a project in Jershor. Serena,e with me."


    I instinctively refused, "But I have too many projects on my te already."


    He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with an emotion I couldn''t quite ce-something close to pleading. He almost looked pitiful. "The shareholders have been giving me a hard time. Serena, this deal is crucial for stopping Hastings Group''s stock price decline. If you go with me, our chances of sess will be much higher."