Chapter 75

Lila leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. “Besides, can you even imagine the gossip if you don’t take advantage of this opportunity?”

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I frowned in frustration. “Alex just exposed my identity like that. It’s too…”

“Too what?” Lila’s expression mirrored mine. “Serena, I think you’re so paranoid about avoiding suspicion that it’s driving you insane. If your true identity as a member of the Hastings family isn’t revealed, then you’ll probably get a new one.”

“Alex’s secret lover, someone who will stop at nothing to be with him!”

Lila’s words were blunt, catching me off guard. I was taking a sip of water when she said it and choked, coughing uncontrollably. My face flushed red.

As I considered my weekend plans, the phone rang. To my surprise, it was Mom. She rarely called since I started working at Hastings Group.

“Hey, Mom,” I answered, trying to keep my voice down.

“Serena, how’s work?”

“Pretty good, Mom. Do you need something?”

Her cheerful voice filled the phone. “Oh, it’s nothing. Why don’t you come back for family dinner this weekend? Alex will be here too, and I want to make all your favorite dishes.”

“Mom, I’ll be busy looking for an apartment this weekend.” My response was almost automatic. The thought of returning home made me uneasy.

“But Robert already mentioned it to Alex.” Mom didn’t give me a chance to refuse. “It’s been ages since I saw you. Just come after work with Alex.” “Mom!” I exclaimed.

The phone went dead.

I stared at my phone, feeling helpless. I then shifted my gaze to Alex’s office door, feeling dejected.

After work, I was the last one to leave. As I reached the company entrance, I saw Alex waiting.

He had changed his car again. The black Land Rover loomed like a massive beast, and Alex seemed its master, waiting for me to approach before commanding it.

My steps felt heavy, as if weighed down by lead. Once I got into the car and fastened my seatbelt, Alex wasted no time starting the engine.

He’d discarded his usual suit and wore casual clothes—a light gray short-sleeved shirt and black trousers—and sunglasses perched on his face. At that moment, Alex didn’t seem like a powerful president but more like a wealthy playboy exuding sophistication.

“You look tired from work today,” Alex remarked as we left the company gates. “You’re usually the first out of the office.”