Hailey gently pressed an ice pack against Celine's swollen face. Celine cried out in pain, causing Hailey to exclaim angrily, "That beast, Elijah! How could he hurt you so badly? Where is he now? And why did you come back alone, Celine?"

Earlier, when Hailey had answered a knock at the door, she found Celine standing there with a red, swollen handprint on her face. Celine's arms and legs were also covered in red marks from where she had been gripped—clear signs of violence. It was late, and Celine had returned alone, battered and bruised.

Hailey's heart ached. She wondered what had happened to Elijah. Earlier, Carly had gone to find Adam, so Hailey assumed Elijah must have been released.

Celine's long lashes trembled as she embraced Hailey. "Hailey, my face hurts. I don't want to talk."

"Alright, I won't ask anymore," Hailey said, trying to comfort her. "Just let me check where else you're hurt. We'll use more ointment, and tomorrow you'll be back to your beautiful self."

Under the dim, golden light of the hostel, the atmosphere felt warm and calm. Thanks to Hailey's care and the ointment, the swelling on Celine's face and the marks on her body had disappeared by the next day. Her skin returned to its usual soft and smooth appearance.

The two were heading to the cafeteria when Henry and Victoria suddenly appeared, blocking their path. Hailey immediately went on guard. "What do you want?"

Henry and Victoria dropped to their knees with a loud thud. Hailey froze in shock. "Celine, they're kneeling…"

Celine was equally surprised. "What are you doing?" she asked, frowning.

Henry and Victoria looked exhausted, their eyes filled with anxiety. Tears streamed down Victoria's face as she pleaded, "Celine, my son is a scoundrel. He wronged you terribly. We are kneeling to beg for your forgiveness. Please, just this once, ask Mr. Alvarez to release him."

"Adam hasn't released him yet?" Celine asked.

Henry shook his head. "No. Last night, we begged Carly. She spoke to Mr. Alvarez on our behalf, but he refused to let Elijah go. He said…"

"What did he say?" Celine asked.

"He said we were asking the wrong person. Instead of pleading with Carly, we should be pleading with you."

Celine had assumed that once Carly intervened, Adam would release Elijah immediately. To her surprise, he hadn't, and he had even made that statement to Henry. "Celine," Henry continued, "Elijah is the only heir of the Zander family. We have spoiled him since childhood and failed to discipline him. That is why he hurt you. We are willing to compensate you in any way. Just name your terms."

Victoria added, "Celine, the Alvarez and Zander families have been close for generations. If Mr. Alvarez is doing this for you, are you really willing to let our families tear each other apart?"

Henry and Victoria remained on their knees, their desperation evident.

Celine looked at them calmly. "Stand up. I'll call Adam and ask him to let Elijah go."

"But I don't want to see Elijah again," Celine added.

Henry quickly agreed. "As soon as Mr. Alvarez releases him, we will take our son abroad. He won't ever appear in front of you again."

Celine nodded. "Alright."

Henry and Victoria thanked her profusely before leaving.

Celine took out her phone and hesitated as she hovered over Adam's number. Adam had truly surprised her. Wasn't Carly the woman he adored? How could he have refused her request?