The press conference spiraled into chaos, accusations flying at Celine from all sides. Adam's gaze was ice-cold, a flicker of exasperation crossing his otherwise impassive face. Did Celine not realize she was walking into a lion's den? How reckless could she be to come alone?

"What the hell?" Nathan muttered under his breath. He stepped forward, ready to shield Celine from the growing mob, but someone was faster. Adam moved swiftly, his long strides cutting through the crowd.

Nathan was speechless. What kind of wingman was he? He'd completely misread the room.

However, the chaotic room fell eerily silent. Celine, surrounded by hostile faces, lifted her head. Her clear, unwavering gaze swept over the crowd. Without raising her voice, the quiet authority in her gaze commanded attention; the sheer strength of her demeanor made everyone hold their breath.

Adam froze mid-step. He'd never seen this side of her before. The reporters stood dumbstruck. Something about Celine's presence was intimidating.

After letting her gaze linger on each face, Celine's eyes locked onto Larry. "Did you really think I came here alone?"

Larry flinched. "What are you talking about?"

Suddenly, Robin's voice rang out. "There he is! That's Larry!"

All heads turned as a team of uniformed police officers entered the room. The tension became palpable as they marched toward Larry, presenting an arrest warrant.

"Larry Slick, you're under arrest for extortion, kidnapping, and attempted rape," the officer declared. The click of handcuffs echoed like a thunderclap.

The press conference exploded into chaos again. Events escalated so rapidly that nobody knew what was happening. The once-pitied man was revealed as a dangerous criminal.

Benjamin was dumbfounded. "Officers, there must be a mistake. He's a simple villager, an honest man. Extortion? Kidnapping? Attempted rape? Who did he even try to assault?"

"He tried to rape me!"

Those words struck like a hammer, reverberating in everyone's ears. Gasps rippled through the crowd as they turned their stunned faces toward Celine. However, no one was more shaken than Larry, Lucy, and Carly.

Robin ran to Celine's side, refusing to let her best friend face this alone. Celine raised a photograph for everyone to see—the very image Larry had used to blackmail her. Facing the cameras and reporters, her voice carried unwavering strength.

"Yes, Larry is my adoptive father, but he's also a pedophile. Ten years ago, he was convicted of abusing and molesting children and sentenced to ten years in prison. He was released recently and came straight for me. First, he tried to blackmail me for 100 million using this photo. Then, he knocked me unconscious in a club, kidnapped me, and dragged me to a mountain cave where he attempted to rape me."

She pulled out a small recording device. Her sharp gaze pinned Larry in place. "I've been wearing this hidden camera. It has recorded every single crime you committed."

Larry's face went pale. He hadn't expected Celine to have a recording device. How could she?

Celine stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She leaned in slightly to speak to Larry, but her eyes were locked on Lucy.

"I was the first to know you were released. You thought you had me trapped, didn't you? But the truth is, I've been waiting for you. Ten years behind bars wasn't enough for what you've done. This time, I'll make sure you never see the light of day again."