After speaking, Carly strode into the study, her crystal heels clicking sharply against the floor. Celine stood frozen, stiff and unmoving. "I think you're truly pitiful—so unloved," the words echoed in her ears, reverberating through her mind. Carly looked down at her. To Carly, Celine was forever unloved, a shadow constantly coveting her mother and Adam. A stab of bitter irony pierced Celine's chest; Lucy and Adam had originally belonged to her.

She stared at the tightly closed study door. If Carly asked Adam, would he release Elijah? Lucy had told her to stand by the door and listen, but Celine couldn't summon the courage. She dared not bear witness. The warmth that had briefly filled her heart was cooling. She should never have placed any hope in Adam. Without hope, there's no disappointment, no further hurt.

The maid approached with an ice pack. "Mrs. Alvarez, you should apply this to your face," she said. Celine shook her head lightly. "It's not necessary," she replied, her voice hollow.

Inside the study, Adam sat in his leather chair, reviewing documents. Carly walked over and began massaging his shoulders. "Adam, I heard you had Elijah detained," she said softly.

Adam looked up, his sharp gaze piercing. "Henry came to see you?" His eyes were so perceptive that nothing could escape them.

Carly admitted it openly. "Yes. Adam, you should release him. The Alvarez and Zander families have a long-standing relationship, both socially and in business. Are you really going to break ties over someone like Celine? She's not worth it." Everyone kept saying the same thing.

Adam pushed Carly's hands off his shoulders, his gaze cold. "Carly, you're a woman too. I didn't expect you to say something like that."

Carly, caught off guard, tried to explain. "But Celine wasn't even hurt, was she?"

Adam's mood darkened, his presence radiating cold energy. "I'm not releasing him. Go home."

Carly was stunned. She had spoken, yet Adam refused. "Adam, Mr. and Mrs. Zander came to me personally. I already promised them you'd let him go. If you refuse, how am I supposed to face them?"

Adam gave her a chilly glance. "That's your problem. No one told you to make promises on my behalf."

Carly's face turned pale. She had come full of confidence, convinced, like everyone else, that a single word from her would sway him. Instead, Adam had rejected her without hesitation.

"Leo," Adam called.

The door opened, and Leo stepped inside. "Mr. Alvarez?"

Adam's gaze returned to his documents. His voice was cold and detached. "Escort Ms. Tate out."

Leo turned to Carly. "Ms. Tate, this way, please."

Carly trembled with anger. Who would have thought she would be treated no differently from Lucy, both unceremoniously thrown out? She stormed toward the door, her heels clicking sharply, but stopped mid-step. Her lips tightened, and she spun back. "Adam, are you refusing to let Elijah go because he lost a woman, or because the woman is Celine?"

Adam glanced at her, impatience lacing his voice. "Get out."

Those words ignited Carly's fury. She reached out and shoved a vase from the desk, sending it crashing to the floor. The vase shattered into countless pieces. This was the first time they had fought so fiercely over Celine.

In the end, Carly left. The study's atmosphere turned icy, so oppressive that no one dared approach Adam. Unable to focus on his work, Adam stood and headed to the master bedroom.