After a long pause, Alex let out a cold, disdainful retort. “You lack awareness, are utterly unreliable, and spout nonsense.” The words, delivered with such biting ridicule, finally revealed the silent disdain the other guests had harbored. Julian had become the unwitting star of this gala—but a star destined for mockery.

Julian was stunned, his face flushing crimson. His initial upset quickly escalated to fury, fueled by the humiliation he had just suffered.

With Julian still standing speechless, Alex raised his wine glass slightly. “Enjoy yourselves, everyone,” he said. Under the soothing music, the gala swiftly returned to its lively atmosphere. Everyone, that is, except for the tactless Julian.

By the gala's end, the disruption had almost been forgotten. On the plane back to Grandview, Alex unexpectedly asked, “So, the reason you asked me if the Blakes would be at the gala was because Julian had already invited you?”

Alex seemed in a good mood.

I nodded.

“Then why didn’t you accept his invitation?” he continued.

“The mere mention of Julian filled me with disgust.”

Alex’s mood brightened further. “Once we’re back, I’ll have my assistant transfer the money into your account.”

I nodded again. Thank goodness; the money was there to soothe the disgust Julian had caused me.

“Are you really that short on money?” Alex suddenly turned to look at me.

“Lemme see,” I nodded without hesitation. “Who wouldn’t be? Not everyone’s as rich as you are!”

Alex chuckled and reached out to ruffle my hair. The gesture felt intimate. I looked at his handsome face and felt an involuntary flush creep up my cheeks.

“If you really need that much money, you could move back into the Hastings residence,” Alex said, withdrawing his hand. He quickly resumed his usual composed demeanor; it was as if the earlier incident was a figment of my imagination.

“You’ll be starting work soon, and the rental in Grandview isn’t cheap,” he continued.

I shook my head. “I won’t go back.”

“Why not?” Alex looked at me with a slight frown.

Because that’s not my home.

But I didn’t say that. Instead, I looked up at him and replied, “The one who should be going back to the Hastings residence isn’t me; it’s you.”

I pressed on, “The things you’re concerned about…the wrongs my mother and…Basically, they have nothing to do with you. You shouldn’t be the one left without a home.” Whenever this topic arose, it always felt like a heavy weight on my chest, suffocating me.

Undeniably, Alex’s expression darkened.

I thought he would lose his temper, but his voice merely grew colder. “I’ve already told you, this has nothing to do with you.”

I lowered my head slowly.

“But the Hastings residence was my home once.”

“If it’s something you can’t change, then there’s no need to feel guilty,” Alex said in a frosty tone before picking up a book from the table.

I didn’t respond.