Adam stood tall by the floor-to-ceiling window, his imposing figure silhouetted against the night. His cold, obsidian eyes held a dangerous, menacing indifference. “Do you think an apology is enough to settle this? Go home.”

Victoria’s eyes brimmed with tears; desperation softened her voice. “Adam, I’m begging you. Your uncle has only one son. Please, let Elijah go. I promise we’ll discipline him properly in the future.”

His expression didn’t waver. His tone was sharp and devoid of warmth. “Leo, see them out.”

Henry’s voice rose. "Henry and I held you when you were a baby! The Zander—"

Without hesitation, Leo stepped forward and gestured toward the door. “Mr. Zander, Mrs. Zander, this way, please.”

Stars darkened, frustration flickering in Henry's eyes. “Adam, are you going to be this heartless? All this, for Celine? I’ve looked into her; she’s just some country bumpkin and a failing student. Is she worth it? Are you willing to destroy the relationship between the Alvarez family and the Zander family, turning families into enemies? Are you prepared to jeopardize the Zander family over someone like her?”

Adam didn’t flinch. Instead, his cold gaze shifted to Leo.

Leo responded immediately, his voice calm but firm. “Mr. Zander, Mrs. Zander, would you prefer to leave on your own, or shall I arrange for someone to escort you?”

Henry’s composure shattered. “You—Fine, we’ll leave on our own!”

He grabbed Victoria’s arm, and they stormed out of Westwood Villa.

Outside, Henry’s frustration erupted. “That Adam! He has no regard for our relationship, no respect at all! He’s completely ruthless! Infuriating!” Victoria tugged at Henry’s sleeve, her tone urgent. “Honey, Elijah is still in Adam’s hands. If he doesn’t let him go, what are we going to do? Elijah is our only son. If anything happens to him, the Zander family will have no heir. You have to think of a way to save him.”

Henry was furious, but he understood there was no simple way to deal with Adam. After all, it had been Elijah who was in the wrong from the start. If things escalated further, mending the situation would be next to impossible. Adam’s unyielding, cold-hearted demeanor left them with no options. He had dismissed them coldly, without a hint of consideration.

When Henry reached a dead end, an idea struck him. “I’ve got it! We can ask someone for help!”

Victoria’s eyes lit up. “Who? Who could help us?”

Henry uttered a single name. “Carly.”

Victoria seized the idea. “Yes, Carly! We can go to her. Carly is Adam’s favorite. If she says a word to him, Adam will definitely let Elijah go!”

Half an hour later, Henry and Victoria arrived at Tate Manor, bearing an array of high-end luxury gifts. “Ms. Tate, here’s the latest designer handbag, along with some bracelets and other accessories. We hope you’ll like them.”

The Zander family’s visit was greeted with fanfare. Hayden, Lucy, and Carly welcomed them into the sitting room. After all, the Zanders were a prominent family in high society, closely tied to the influential Alvarez family. Typically, the Tates wouldn’t have dreamed of associating with them.

Carly’s eyes sparkled as she took in the luxurious gifts. It wasn’t that she particularly cared for them—being with Adam meant she already had access to the latest, limited-edition items from top brands, often delivered before they even hit the market. She had grown used to extravagance. What truly delighted her was the significance of this visit. The illustrious Zander family, so powerful and prestigious, had humbled themselves to seek her favor. That was a symbol of her rising influence and importance. In the tight-knit, exclusive world of the elite, connections were everything. If Carly hoped to marry Adam one day, she would need to cement alliances with families like the Zanders to strengthen her social standing. She always knew how to position herself strategically in Adam’s world.

Carly smiled. “I love them. Thank you, Mr. Zander, Mrs. Zander. You really didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”

Henry didn’t waste time. “Ms. Tate, I’ll be honest with you. We’re here because we need your help.”

Lucy, who had been unusually quiet since Hayden had slapped her in front of the police station, had brewed coffee for the guests herself. Startled, she blinked and asked curiously, “Mr. Zander, Mrs. Zander, what could Carly possibly help you with?”

Victoria explained. “Today, my son Elijah kidnapped Celine M. Alvarez. Adam went to rescue her, and he’s captured Elijah. He’s refusing to release him and is determined to punish him to appease Celine.”

Carly’s expression changed instantly. So that was why Adam left Dr. C’s lecture in such a hurry. He had gone to save Celine.