Adam glanced at Celine's neatly arranged bed—quilt and pillow perfectly positioned—but a white towel lay on the surface, a remnant of her recent shower. Momentarily captivated, he quickly averted his gaze, turning sideways to glimpse Celine behind him.

"I fought with Elijah because…" she began.

Adam interrupted. "Celine, I enrolled you at Yorhine University so you could focus on your medical studies. Instead, you're sleeping in class and getting into fights? You may not be as talented as Carly, but you shouldn't cause trouble. The Zander family wanted you expelled. I can't constantly clean up your messes!" His long-suppressed frustration finally erupted.

Celine watched his anger, sensing his unwillingness to listen. He seemed to believe she was unworthy, unable to compare to Carly. The gentle man who'd shared wine and grapes with Carly at the bar last night was gone, replaced by this distant, impatient figure. He liked Carly, yet he hated her.

Innocently, Celine said, "Mr. Alvarez, I apologize for wasting your time."

Adam was stunned.

Celine smirked. "I don't know why Mr. Moore contacted you. I'll tell him you're not my guardian, so you won't have to deal with my affairs anymore." She started toward the door, gesturing him out. "Mr. Alvarez, you may go now."

His anger peaking, Adam grabbed her wrist. "Celine, what's with your attitude?"

She tried to push him away, but he took a step back, his knee hitting the bed, sending them both tumbling onto the mattress.

This was Celine's bed, filled with her delightful, feminine scent—a fragrance familiar to Adam, as he'd shared it twice before. He'd slept in the company lounge for the two days she'd been gone, and now, unexpectedly, he was immersed in it again. Her soft body pressed against his, her freshly showered hair radiating a captivating perfume. His muscles tensed, his Adam's apple bobbing rapidly.

Celine screamed as they fell. She struggled to push him off and rise, but he held her slender wrist. "Celine," he asked hoarsely, "where are you touching?"

She felt the firmness of his muscles against her, the urge to explain rising within her. "I…"

Adam wrapped his arms around her, gazing at the ceiling with a relaxed expression. In a husky voice, he said, "Celine, can you please behave?"