"Perfect timing! Stay for dinner with me and Serena tonight," Mom said warmly.


    Alex naturally went along with it and nodded. "I''d love to. Your cooking is my favorite."


    Mom chuckled softly and got up to start preparing the meal.


    "You saw the news online, didn''t you?" Alex lowered his voice.


    I nodded, peeling an orange. After a moment, a sudden thought struck me, and I looked at Alex in shock. "Could it be "


    "Of course, it isn''t me." Alex scoffed. "I''m not that kind of person. But I did have Jeremiah look into it, and it seems like someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes."


    I frowned, puzzled. "Who would go after Elena like this?"


    Alex shook his head as well. I furrowed my brows, running through possibilities in my mind. Julian? Or Wayne?


    The doorbell rang again. I walked over and opened the door, only to find Lucas standing there.


    "Serena, I came to check on Madam Burke," Lucas said, carrying a bag of health supplements.


    The moment he stepped inside and saw Alex, I noticed his expression darken visibly.


    "Who''s at the door?" Mom called out from the kitchen. When she came out and saw Lucas, she was just as surprised. "Luke? What brings you here?"


    "I wanted to see you, Madam Burke," Lucas replied with a smile.


    Mom smiled back and nodded. "Since both you and Alex are here, I''ll cook a couple of extra dishes. Stay for dinner too."


    While Mom busied herself in the kitchen, the three of us sat on the couch. The air between us was thick with unspoken tension.


    "So..." I cleared my throat and looked at Lucas. "Did you see the news about Elena?"


    Lucas took a sip of water. "I saw it. Why?"


    "Who do you think is behind it?" I asked with furrowed brows. "Elena doesn''t seem like the kind of person who''d willingly let this happen to


    Welf."


    "Serena, you''re not suspecting me, are you?" Lucas looked at me in disbelief. I''d love to get revenge for you, but the moment I got in touch with Elena, she had already goften into trouble. Besides, being a homewrecker is a choice. No one forced her into it."


    "That''s true," I muttered, momentarily setting aside my suspicions. But I kept watching Lucas closely, searching for any telltale signs.


    "Serena," Alex suddenly called in a serious tone. "Why don''t you go check on Madam Burke in the kitchen?"


    I gave him a confused look. "You


    know my mom doesn''t like people hovering while she cooks. And besides, I can''t even wash the


    ingredients properly. What would I


    do there?"


    Lucas chuckled. "Mr. Hastings, are you trying to get her away so that you can talk to me alone?"


    "Not at all." Alex frowned. "What would I have to say to you?"


    Lucas nodded but didn''t drop the subject. "But do you have something you want


    to say to me?"