YS Media was very efficient. Within half a day, a video titled "Exposing the Background of the Scheming Mother-Daughter Duo" was uploaded across major tforms.


    In the video, Felicia''s and Shirley''s shrewish behavior was on full disy. Their shrill curses, Randall''s pained cries, and the murmurs of the gathered crowd all blended into a chaotic, real-life spectacle.


    After everything was set in motion, Alex let out a long breath and picked up his phone to call Serena. "Hey, Serena, let''s have dinner tonight. There''s something I want to talk to you about."


    "Alright." Her voice sounded weary, but she still agreed.


    Alex arrived at the restaurant early and ordered a few of her favorite dishes before pulling out his phone to scroll through TikTok. Just as expected, the video had gone viral, and thement section was in an uproar.


    "Oh my god, this olddy is terrifying! She''spletely unhinged!"


    "The daughter''s no better. She was clearly raised to be just as awful!"


    "Poor Serena. Stuck with a grandmother and aunt like this? Talk about bad luck!"


    Of course, the "self-righteous"mentators weren''t far behind.


    "What the olddy did was wrong, but let''s not forget that Nicole did cheat. Just because the Ashford family is a mess doesn''t mean she should be excused."


    "It takes two to tango. Nicole isn''t innocent either. How could she let herself get caught up in an affair?"


    Alex let out a cold chuckle. These people had no idea what they were talking about.


    They only saw Serena''s weakness, but they didn''t see the pain behind it.


    Just then, a WhatsApp message from Randall popped up. "Public opinion is in our favor. Now, it''s up to Serena."


    By the time I arrived, Alex was staring nkly at his phone.


    "Sorry, I''mte." I forced a small smile and took a seat across from him.


    "It''s fine, I just got here too." He put his phone away and asked casually, "What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like."


    I shook my head. "I''m not really hungry. You order."


    He picked a few light dishes, then hesitated before asking, "Did you... see the video online?"


    I was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I saw it."


    He sighed and shifted the conversation. "How''s Madam Burke doing now?"


    "My mother''s better," I said softly, while stirring my lemon water. The ice clinked against the ss with a crisp sound, each collision echoing inside me, dull and aching. "She''s finally willing to talk to me again."


    Alex nodded with something unreadable flickering in his gaze.


    He was quiet for a while before finally asking, "Serena, have you ever thought about pushing for my dad and Madam Burke to get a divorce?"


    My hand froze mid-motion. The ice in my ss knocked sharply against the rim, the sound unnervingly loud.


    "Divorce?" repeated. "You think I


    haven''t tried? Mr. Hastings Senior refused. He says my mom''s


    condition isn''t stable and that now


    isn''t the time. But the truth is, he just doesn''t want to leave her."


    Alex''s frown deepened. "He doesn''t want a divorce? That doesn''t make sense."


    I looked up at him and asked slowly, "You want them to divorce, don''t you?"


    He took a sip of water, his actions slow and deliberate.


    I said again, "Alex, I know you''ve never liked my mom. You''ve always thought she''s not good enough for your father-that she''s the one who ruined your family. But it''s been so many years. You should''ve seen everything she''s done for your dad and your family. Now that she''s sick, all I want is to help my mother."