Celine's tears fell one after another, splashing softly into the bathwater.

"All you ever do is yell at me! What's wrong with me wearing makeup? What's wrong with putting on lipstick? Carly wears makeup and lipstick every single day, and you never yell at her! If we were the ones kidnapped, you'd probably be holding her, comforting her, calling her your baby! But you you just hate me! Why do you hate me so much?" Her words broke apart into choked cries. She was trembling, her delicate shoulders shaking with each unsteady breath. Her red-rimmed eyes, flushed nose, and tear-streaked skin looked impossibly fragile, as though she were made of water, dissolving into the steam rising from the bath.

Adam's expression shifted. Without hesitation, he knelt beside the tub. "Celine, stop crying." He wasn't used to seeing her cry. In fact, he could count on one hand the number of times he'd ever seen her like this. Once had been in her sleep, when she'd called out, begging her mother not to leave. This was the second time, and it was because of him. He had made her cry. He brushed the tears from her face. "Carly wears makeup and lipstick, yes, but you're not like her."

Adam reached out, his large hand gently brushing away her tears. Celine was naturally delicate and ethereal; her fair skin and soft features were so striking that even the faintest touch of makeup made her stand out, especially the lipstick—it painted her lips in a vibrant, tempting red, like a perfectly ripened peach, irresistibly inviting, as though daring anyone to take a bite. Carly could wear lipstick and makeup without the slightest trouble. But Celine? The moment she did, trouble always seemed to follow. She and Carly were not the same.

No matter how gently he tried to wipe her tears, they only fell faster. Her large, watery eyes locked onto his, blazing through the tears with a defiant, almost childlike fury. "You're just biased! Carly is perfect at everything, and I'm terrible at everything!"

Adam had never comforted a crying girl before, and he felt completely out of his depth. Why were there so many tears? He softened his tone, his deep, magnetic voice dropping low and husky as he tried to apologize. "Celine, stop crying. I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have—"

But the tears didn't stop. They kept streaming down her face. Adam, why do you hate me so much? The thought echoed in Celine's mind. In a sudden burst of frustration, she gently bit his strong arm. It wasn't hard, not enough to cause him pain. Adam didn't say anything. If biting him would stop her tears, so be it. He'd let her.

After a moment, Celine released him. She sniffled, her red nose twitching slightly as she looked up at him. "Did it hurt?"

Adam wasn't sure how other men might feel about having a girlfriend like her—a girl who would bite you out of frustration, only to feel guilty afterward. He didn't know about other men, but he knew this: at that moment, his heart felt like it was on the verge of melting. In truth, Adam had always known that Celine was trying to get under his skin. And, if he was honest with himself, he didn't mind. Her way of getting under his skin, her quiet provocations—he found himself drawn to them, unable to resist. His dark, intense gaze locked onto hers, and he shook his head. "No, it didn't hurt."

Celine hugged her knees around her and whispered, "I want to take a bath. Leave."

Back in the bedroom, Adam's expression was serious. "Mr. Alvarez, Mr. Zander is here. He knows the situation has gotten out of hand, and now that he's heard"

Adam's face remained cold, and his lips parted as he replied calmly, "Have him wait for me in the study."

In the study, Henry and Victoria, already seated, met Adam's eyes. Henry's eyes were watchful.

"Adam, this," Henry said, "was reckless and completely out of line to lay a hand on someone under your protection. I sincerely—"

"Elijah is the only son the Zander family has. He's my lyric. You've always called him Elijah, Henry, and there's a long-standing friendship between the Alvarez family and the Zander family. I'm asking you, Adam, to let my son go."