Alex''s smile faded, and a trace of exhaustion flickered in his eyes.


    I nodded and turned toward the ward. As I pushed open the door, I saw Mom leaning against the headboard, reading a book. She looked much better than before.


    Seeing me enter, she set the book down and asked with concern, "How is it? Has the situation been resolved?"


    I forced a smile. "Almost. Mom, you don''t need to worry."


    Walking to her bedside, I gently took her hand. "How are you feeling? Any better?"


    She squeezed my hand in return and smiled. "Much better, Serena. Don''t worry about me."


    "Mom, the doctor said you''re recovering well. You''ll be able to leave the hospital in a few days," I said, keeping my tone as light as possible.


    "Alright." She nodded.


    We chatted for a while about ordinary things. I deliberately steered the conversation toward lighthearted topics. I told her about a new flower shop in our neighborhood and how beautiful the flowers were. I mentioned the elderlydy downstairs who had adopted a little cat.


    I was careful not to let anything slip, not wanting her to sense anything unusual. I especially didn''t want her to know what Mom and Aunt Shirley had done, let alone let her hear that recording.


    Only when she drifted off to sleep did I quietly leave the ward.


    Stepping out into the hallway, I exhaled deeply as if shedding a heavy burden.


    Alex was leaning against the wall with a phone in hand, seemingly browsing the news. Noticing me, he put his phone away and walked over. "She''s asleep?"


    I nodded. "Mm."


    He reached out and ruffled my hair gently. "You''ve had a hard time."


    I ducked away from his hand. "Let''s focus on fixing this first."


    Aplex emotion shed through his eyes, but in the end, he didn''t bring it up. "I''ll drive you home," he said.


    I shook my head. "It''s fine. I''ll take a cab back myself. You go ahead and handle your work."


    "Serena-"


    He seemed to want to say something, but I interrupted him, saying, "It''s okay. You handle the news with my mom. I don''t want to see that disgusting news anymore."


    He looked at me intently as if searching for something in my expression. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Just be careful on the way, and message me when you get home."


    Alex drove straight to YS Media, a notorious tabloid studio known for breaking celebrity scandals. This was the very source of thetest smear campaign. your director."


    He strode up to the reception desk. "I need to speak with


    The receptionist, intimidated by his imposing presence, quickly made a call.


    Momentster, a short, portly man with a greasy face came waddling out. As soon as he saw Alex, he put on an ingratiating smile. "Oh, Mr. Hastings! What an honor! Pleasee in!"


    Alex ignored the man''s enthusiasm and walked straight into his office, settling into the couch without hesitation.


    Without any preamble, he got straight to the point. "Didn''t I already buy out all the negative news about Serena and Nicole? Why is there a new scandal this morning?"


    The man''s smile stiffened, and he


    hurriedly exined, "Mr. Hastings, there must be some


    We


    misunderstanding! We absolutely didn''t vite our agreement! removed all previous reports and even deleted the original videos. This morning''s scandal has nothing to do with us!"


    Alex let out a coldugh. "Nothing to do with you? Where did that recordinge from? Don''t tell me you have no idea."


    The man wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced another smile. "Mr. Hastings, I swear, we really don''t know! We only saw the news this morning, just like everyone else. We have no clue who leaked it..."