No Escape from Love

The Schneider family had already taken their seats when we arrived at the hotel. Two spots were left open next to Xena-clearly reserved for Alex and me.

"Serena, it's been a while. How have you been?" Xena smiled innocently.noveldrama

"I've been great," I replied with an equally polite smile.

"A marriage alliance between the Hastings and Schneider families... Now, that's explosive news." Lester chuckled, his face full of wrinkles. "The engagement ceremony should be held in Sulford. The eighth of next month is an auspicious day, and I'll personally take care of everything."

Alex remained silent, showing no hint of joy in his expression.

"Grandpa." Xena set down her cutlery. "You're already at this age. How could I bear to let you run around handling everything for me?"

"What do you suggest, then?" Lester's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're my granddaughter. We can't just leave such an important event to a wedding planning company, can we?"

"I think Serena seems pretty free." Xena suddenly shifted the topic to me. "We're all youngsters. Why not let her help me organize the engagement ceremony?"

I glanced at her with a scrutinizing look. So, this was her plan all along.

"I happen to like her. I'm sure I'd be happy with it if she's the one planning my engagement ceremony. Since I'll be marrying into the Hastings family soon and Serena is part of the Hastings family, surely, she wouldn't refuse to lend a hand?" Her gaze locked onto mine. At that moment, the dining table fell into silence.

"She's still young and clumsy with these things." Alex suddenly spoke. "We have a butler who's been with us since I was a child. He's very meticulous and organized. Perhaps―"

"I'll do it," I said.

Xena stared at me, but I met her gaze without hesitation. "This is an important occasion. Ms. Schneider, I'd be honored to handle the engagement ceremony since you trust me."

"I'll thank you in advance." She lifted her glass in a toasting gesture, her expression filled with veiled provocation.

I smiled and clinked my glass with hers. "There's no need to be so formal. We're family, after all."

After returning from the meal, I

opened my laptop to research

suitable venues for the engagement I

cy. Just as I pulled up the

first webpage, the doorbell rang.

"Who is it?" I got up to open the door, only to find Alex standing outside. "What are you doing here?"

I instinctively tried to close the door, but he pushed it open before I could and strode inside without hesitation.

His eyes landed on my laptop screen, and he let out a dry laugh. "You're really taking this seriously. Already looking at venues?"

Ignoring the sarcasm in his voice, I played dumb. "Of course. It's next month, isn't it? Time is tight, so I need to start planning now."

With that, I sat back down and resumed scrolling through venue options.

"Who's covering the cost of the ceremony? The Hastings family or the Schneider family?" I asked, looking up at him.

For a split second, I caught a flicker

of disappointment in Alex's gaze but it was quickly replaced by

frustration. With his clenched faw, he looked like he was barely holding

back the urge to strangle mě.

Instead of answering, he took out a card from his pocket and shoved it into my hand.

Satisfied, kturned back to my laptop.

"How about this one? The Victoria

Root It's high-e SS."

banquet hall offers flexible themes."

When I didn't hear a response, I turned to look at him-only to see him suddenly

reach out and shut my laptop.

"What are you doing?" I frowned.

"You know perfectly well that Xena gave you this job just to make things difficult

for you, so why did you agree?"

Alex stared at me intently, trying to determine whether I had lost my mind.

I met his gaze just as steadily. No, he wasn't the crazy one-he just had a childish hero complex.