But she wasn''t in the mood to think about that now. ''The point is, what had I saidst night? Did I say something I shouldn''t have?''

    Serena was frightened by Justin''sughter. "What... what''s wrong? What did I do?"

    "Looks like you''ve done a lot of guilty things. Otherwise, why are you so nervous?"

    "Who said I did a lot of guilty things? I''m aw-abiding citizen." She puffed out her chest self-righteously.

    Justin smiled again. "I won''t tease you anymore. You didn''t do anythingst night. You just kept talking and crying. I don''t know why you''re feeling so aggrieved. You wanted to drink yourself, and no one forced you to drink."

    Serena looked at him in a daze.

    ''I didn''t say anything I shouldn''t have, did I? I didn''t confess my feelings to him, did I? Otherwise, he wouldn''t be joking with me here.'' With that thought in mind, Serena''s heart calmed down a little.

    "Drinking makes things worse. I won''t drink so much next time." She rubbed her temples.

    "It''s good that you know. Eat your breakfast. We''ll go back togetherter."

    Serena stole a nce at him, and the corners of her mouth couldn''t help but curl up.

    This feeling of getting along with him made her feelfortable. "I thought you leftst night. It seems you''re still worried about me. Looks like you still have some conscience."

    At the mention of this, Justin suddenly looked at her seriously. "Serena."

    "What''s up?"

    "Ms. Lambert''s son is interested in you."

    Serena frowned. "I don''t think so. Who would be interested in someone else when

    they only met once? We''re all young people. We happen to chat happily."

    "Did you know that he was the one who sent you homest night?" Serena had a piece of bread in her mouth and looked at Justin.

    "If I hadn''t stopped him, he would have entered your room. Do you realize how dangerous that is? Of course, if you want something to happen with him, pretend I didn''t say anything."

    Serena took a few bites of the bread and looked into his eyes. She nodded and said sincerely, "Yes, I was wrong. Like I said, I won''t drink so much next time."

    Justin nodded.

    Serena smiled at him and thought happily, ''He was indeed worried about me.''

    On the way back, Serena''s heart fluttered. She looked at Justin asionally, and her heart was filled with endless satisfaction.

    *****

    On the other side, Brian had already begun to expand Top Group''s business. He had been in Capern

    City''s business world for many years and had a widework. Everything was progressing very smoothly.

    The days went by quickly. Austin''s illness recovered faster and faster after they got engaged.

    In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year.

    Austin''s birthday was on Christmas Eve, so they decided the reunion dinner would also be that day.

    Although thepany''s employees were already on vacation, Brian didn''t stop working before Christmas and went on business trips everywhere.

    Grace drove out alone today to buy groceries for Christmas.

    There were many people in the mall. The snack area was on the first floor, and it was overcrowded. She bought many things and pushed the cart tothe third floor, preparing to buy some clothes and gifts for her family.

    When she reached the second floor, she saw two familiar figures standing side by

    side on the esctor on the third floor.

    They were a gray-haired man and a slender woman.

    She thought she had seen it wrongly. When she looked carefully, she confirmed it was indeed Marshall and Alicia.

    ''Why are they together? Alicia is even holding Marshall''s hand.'' Grace looked at them in shock. ''How did Marshall and Alicia meet? When did they be so close?''