There was guilt in Alex''s tone, making my emotions feelplicated. I smiled. "It''s fine. It''s all in the past. I have to head to the hospital to take care of my mom. See you."


    As I spoke, I gathered the documents on the table, getting ready to leave.


    "Madam Burke will be okay." Alex sighed, and his voice carried a hint of helplessness. "My dad''s going to visit her this afternoon. You don''t have to worry too much."


    I froze for a moment. Mr. Hastings Senior? Visiting my mom? What was going on here? Even though I was confused, the fact that Alex mentioned it gave me some


    reassurance.


    "Even if Mr. Hastings Senior is going, I still need to check on her myself." I continued packing my bag, preparing to leave.


    "At least have lunch with me first?" There was a note of request in his voice.


    I paused and looked up at him. He seemed unusually persistent about having lunch together today, which made me a little suspicious. "Do you have something to tell me? Otherwise, why insist on dragging me to eat?"


    He picked up my bag from the table. "There''s no need to hide it from you. My dad wants to talk to Madam Burke alone. Have lunch with me first. Let''s give them some time."


    With that, he carried my bag and walked out, not even giving me a chance to refuse. I followed behind him helplessly, and my heart pounded anxiously. What did Mr. Hastings Senior want to say to Mom? Was it about Grandma?


    Or... was it about something else?


    The atmosphere in Alex''s car felt slightly tense. I wanted to ask him about it, but I didn''t know how.


    Sensing my unease, he reached over and held my hand. "Don''t worry. It''ll be fine."


    At the restaurant, he ordered several dishes


    meal,


    she knew I liked. During


    Casually chatted a theer


    trivial things as if trying to distract me.


    But my mind was consumed with thoughts of Mr. Hastings Senior and Mom talking alone. I couldn''t focus on anything he was saying.


    The restaurant was elegant andvish with soft music floating in the air, but everything tasted like nothing to me.


    Alex, on the other hand, seemedpletely at ease. He kept picking food for me and sharing amusing news stories, trying to get me to rx.


    But I felt like there was a heavy stone pressing on my chest, making it impossible for me to appreciate any of it. I mechanically chewed on my food, finding it tasteless.


    "If you''re really worried, just call and ask, okay?" he finally noticed how distracted


    I was.


    I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head. "Forget it. I''ll wait until they finish talking."


    "I''ve already had people handle the online situation," he said, handing me his phone. "Public opinion has shifted. Most people are on Madam Burke''s side now. The truth will


    I took his phone. The screen disyed thetest newsments, almost all condemning Grandma and Aunt Shirley while speaking up for Mom.