Hearing my words, Alex knew better than anyone that he couldn''t make me stay. His expression dimmed almost instantly. He let out a deep sigh and muttered, "Then I''ll get going." With that, he turned around and left the convenience store. His figure gradually disappeared into the night, leaving me alone to quietly finish my sandwich.


    Back in his office, Alex tugged at his tie in frustration and immediately called for his assistant. Before long, there was a knock at the door. "Mr. Hastings, you wanted to see me?"


    Alex said while rubbing his temples, "Look into the job market and find a position for Serena."


    The assistant hesitated. "Mr. Hastings, everyone in the industry knows about what happened between Ms. Ashford and your father. I''m afraid it won''t be easy to arrange..."


    "I know." Alex sighed. "Just try to find apany of simr scale. The sry and benefits offered should be a little better."


    The assistant nodded. "Understood. I''ll do my best."


    "And one more thing," he added. "Make sure Serena doesn''t know it was me who arranged it."


    After the assistant left, Alex walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the dazzling city lights.


    He had no idea how to make up for the damage Robert had done to Serena and Nicole, nor did he know how to salvage what was left of his rtionship with her.


    ...


    The moment Alex left, I tossed the sandwich''s packaging into the trash can.


    I didn''t want to owe him anything and didn''t want to be tangled up with him


    anymore. Right now, all I cared about was finding a way to take care of Mom and rebuild my life from scratch.


    When I got home, Mom immediately noticed something was off.


    "Serena, what''s wrong? You look so pale," she asked with concern.


    "Mom, I quit my job." I tried to sound casual, but my voice betrayed me.


    "You quit? Her expression changed in an instant, worry shing across her face. She gripped my hand tightly. "Serena, was it the Hastings family-"


    ??


    I quickly cut her off, "Mom, don''t overthink it. I just didn''t want to work there anymore."


    I didn''t want her worrying about me. Her depression had only recently stabilized. I


    couldn''t let anything push her back into that darkness.


    "But..... what are we going to do now?" Her voice trembled slightly.


    "It''s okay, Mom. I''ll find another job. I can work part-time and finish my studies at the same time."


    I forced a smile and tried to reassure her. "But... we''ll probably have to move. We can''t stay in thepany dorm anymore."


    She fell silent. I didn''t know what was going through her mind, but since she wasn''t speaking, I didn''t push her.


    She suddenly said, "Serena, Mr. Hastings Senior... left a card."


    I froze. "A card? What kind of card?"


    "He said... it''spensation." Her voice was quiet, and she fidgeted with the card


    in her hands as if she didn''t know what to do with it.


    "Mom, don''t think too much about it.


    ?


    Mr. Hastings Senior just feels guilty. Since he gave it to you, just take it. Think of it as repayment for all the


    hardship you''ve endured over the


    years."


    I took the card from her, treating it as if it were nothing more than a membership


    card. I ignored the heavy weight pressing down on my chest.


    But Mom still looked uneasy as if there was more she wanted to say. I knew what she was thinking-she was afraid I''d get entangled with the Hastings family again. I didn''t want her s into those emotions, so I quickly changed the subject.


    "Mom, I''m hungry. Do we have anything to eat?"


    That finally snapped her out of her thoughts. She stood up and headed for the


    kitchen. "Yes, I just made some beef pies. I''ll heat them up for you."