Carly asked Adam to kiss her. Adam gazed at her face, vibrant and alluring as a red rose, a stark contrast to the cold beauty he associated with her earlier. Carly's warmth and charm were the opposite of Celine's irritating presence, which always left him restless. Carly was a soothing balm, always knowing how to ease his mood. Slowly, Adam leaned down…

Meanwhile, Celine and Hailey enjoyed some wine before heading out. They hailed a cab on a busy street with few available. Celine suggested they rent bikes. Hailey, however, nonchalantly called her cousin for a ride.

"Cousin? You have a cousin?" Celine asked.

Hailey winked mischievously. "Of course."

"Let's not bother him; it's late," Celine protested.

But Hailey, already dialing, retorted, "My cousin's out gallivanting with his mistress. He needs something to do."

Celine was stunned. "Your cousin has a mistress?"

"Yeah," Hailey replied. "He's married, hates his wife, and has a mistress. Total scumbag!"

Celine was shocked. Hailey's cousin's situation resonated with her own; both felt like adrift souls.

Back in the luxurious lounge, Adam leaned toward Carly, their faces inches apart, poised for a kiss. Carly inhaled his intoxicating scent—alcohol mingling with his cologne—leaving her weak. Her hands clasped his neck as she awaited his kiss.

Instead, Adam's deep voice said, "Your lipstick is smudged."

Carly's eyes widened in surprise. At that moment, his phone rang, interrupting the moment. Adam pushed her away.

Carly, retrieving a mirror from her Chanel bag, saw the smudged lipstick. Frustrated, she wiped it off. Adam, meanwhile, answered the call at the window. "Allie," he said.

Carly was surprised. He seemed to agree to something, then said, "Alright, I'll send a driver over."

After hanging up, Carly embraced him from behind. Adam, however, removed her hands. "Another time," he said. "I need to go back to the office. I'll have someone take you home."

Carly's face paled. Disappointment was undeniable, especially as Adam showed no further interest. She blamed the lipstick, knowing men like Adam were discerning. Any perceived flaw diminished his interest. She remembered a previous encounter at Westwood Villa where, despite arousal, he'd refused intimacy. This was a worrying sign.