"At home. What''s wrong?" Lucas answered.


    "Want to have a drink with me?"


    He was silent for a few seconds. "Alright. Where?"


    I gave him the name of a bar and then hung up.


    When I arrived, I spotted Lucas right away.


    He was sitting at the bar with a ss of liquor in front of him. His head was


    lowered as he looked at his phone. He was wearing a light gray knit sweater with


    the sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing his toned forearms.


    I walked over, took a seat across from him, and poured myself a drink.


    "The interviews didn''t go well?" Lucas asked.


    I nodded and downed my drink in one gulp. "Don''t even mention it. It was aplete waste of time."


    I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. "Either they think Ick experience


    or that I''m asking for too much. They act all high and mighty as if they''re some big deal!"


    Lucas listened quietly, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.


    When I finally finished venting, he said, "Actually..."


    He paused as if something had just urred to him, and then his smile widened. He even let out a quiet chuckle.


    "What?" I looked at him suspiciously.


    He waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing."


    I gave him a doubtful nce but didn''t press further. Instead, I sighed and poured myself another drink.


    Seriously, what the hell? Why did today''s interviews all go so badly? Could it be like Alex said—was I really not capable enough for those jobs?


    The thought alone irritated me even more.


    I kept drinking, one ss after another. Lucas didn''t stop me and just watched me quietly.


    I had no idea how much I drank, but eventually, my head started to spin. Slumping onto the table, I mumbled, "Alex... that bastard..."


    Lucas reached out to support me. "Serena, you''ve had too much."


    I lifted my head, my vision turning blurry. "No... I''m not drunk..."


    "I''ll take you home," he said, helping me up.


    I staggered after him out of the bar When


    the


    cold night air hit me, my stomach churned. I gagged


    times, barely holding it in, vet


    Lucas steadied me, gently patting my back. "Feeling sick?"


    I nodded weakly, tears almost welling up.


    Just then, a ck sedan pulled up beside us. The window rolled down slowly, revealing a familiar face-Alex.


    He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Serena, are you alright?"


    I froze, momentarily at a loss for words.


    Lucas was also taken aback. He nced at me and then at Alex.


    Alex opened the car door, got out, and walked over. He reached out, trying to steady me.


    On instinct, I dodged his hand and took a step behind Lucas.


    Alex''s hand hovered in mid-air, his expression darkening. "Serena..." He looked


    at me. "Are you still mad at me?"


    Lucas stepped in front of me. "Mr. Hastings, Serena is my friend now. Please respect that."


    Alex''s expression turned even


    darker, his eyes filled with hostility as he stared at Lucas. The air was tense as if a fight could breakout at moment.


    I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Lucas, you should go. I need to talk


    to Alex."