How many times had this happened already? The last time Celine was kidnapped by Larry, Adam had rushed to her rescue. Hadn't he also captured Elijah, all for Celine's sake? Given the close ties between the Alvarez and Zander families, was Celine truly worth Adam going to such lengths?

Henry inched closer, his list of worries apparent. He looked at Carly with a pleading expression. “Ms. Tate, everyone knows you’re Mr. Alvarez’s favorite. A single word from you carries more weight than anyone else’s. If you could just say something to Mr. Alvarez, he’d surely release my son.”

Carly, Hayden, and Lucy exchanged knowing smiles. Carly’s ruby lips curled into a smirk. “So that’s what this is about? It’s a minor issue. Fine, I’ll speak to Adam right away.”

“Thank you, Ms. Tate. We’ll eagerly await your good news,” Henry replied.

Carly walked off to find Adam.

Hayden chuckled. “Mr. and Mrs. Zander, you didn’t need to come all this way for such a small matter. Rest assured, Adam dotes on Carly so much. It’s just a matter of her saying the word.”

Lucy added with a smile, “Mr. Elijah has many great qualities, and countless girls are drawn to him. It must have been Celine who seduced him. Come, let’s have some tea.”

They sipped tea, their conversation lively and full of praise for Carly. Henry and Victoria couldn’t stop complimenting their “wonderful daughter.” Hayden and Lucy beamed with pride; Carly was their crowning achievement.

At Westwood Villa, Celine had just finished showering when a maid brought in a tray of ice. “Mrs. Alvarez, Mr. Alvarez asked me to bring this for you to reduce the swelling on your face.” He had even instructed the maid personally.

Celine’s heart softened. Whenever she faced danger, he was always there for her.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“Mr. Alvarez is in the study.”

“I’ll go find him,” Celine said.

Celine stepped out of her room, intending to thank Adam. But she stopped abruptly when she saw Carly.

The two women crossed paths in the hallway. Carly’s gaze swept over the red, swollen handprint on Celine’s face before giving her a haughty once-over. “I heard Elijah kidnapped you. How do you plan to deal with it?”

Celine’s eyes remained cold and composed. “He broke the law, so of course, he’ll face the legal consequences.”

Carly let out a mocking laugh. Stepping closer, her lips curled into a smirk. “Then you’re going to be disappointed. Mr. and Mrs. Zander came to beg, you know. All it takes is a word from me, and Adam will let Elijah go. If you don’t believe me, wait by the door and listen for yourself.”

Celine’s eyelashes quivered.

Carly lifted her chin and walked away, radiating confidence. But she paused, recalling something amusing, and turned back with a playful smile. “By the way, were you just coming out of the master bedroom? The bed linens are so soft. I love sleeping on them.”

Celine froze, her body stiffening. (The final paragraph is incomplete and unclear. It needs significant rewriting to be understandable.)