Chapter 15

Adam's mind flashed back to Celine's delicate lace. He had kissed her earlier; her lips were soft, carrying a subtle fragrance that lingered. When Carly leaned in to kiss him, Adam turned his head to avoid her.

Carly missed his lips and pouted. "Why'd you dodge?"

Adam couldn't explain himself. He liked Carly, and kissing seemed perfectly normal for two people who liked each other. However, he didn't like Celine. Yet, the memory of rejecting Celine lingered, the tingling sensation still coursing through him. As a man with a cleanliness obsession, he couldn't bring himself to transition seamlessly from one woman to another. It made him feel physically uncomfortable—unclean, even.

At that moment, a knock came at the door. Leo's voice sounded from outside: "Mr. Alvarez, the antidote is here."

Antidote? Carly rose. She had drugged herself with an aphrodisiac. Had someone really gotten an antidote?

Adam removed her hand and stood up. Furious, Carly grabbed a pillow and threw it at his handsome face. "Adam, are you even a man?" She had practically offered herself to him, even drugging herself to excite him, yet he refused to touch her.

The pillow fell from Adam's face onto the carpet. He glanced at her without expression. "Get some rest."

With that, he strode out of the room. Carly was dumbstruck, left speechless.

Adam went to the study and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his tall figure casting a long shadow. Leo entered. "Mr. Alvarez, Ms. Tate has taken the antidote."

Adam didn't turn to look at him. "Did the antidote for Lux Garden get delivered?"

Leo replied, "I sent an assistant to deliver it, but he reported that the room was empty upon arrival. Mrs. Alvarez was already gone."

Adam turned slightly, frowning. His lips pressed into a thin line. "Where did Celine go?"

Celine didn't know the men sent to her were there to deliver the antidote on Adam's orders.

Leo continued, "Mr. Alvarez, someone picked her up."

Picked her up? She had been under the influence of a strong drug. Who could have taken her?

Adam's frown deepened. "Was it a man or a woman who picked her up?"

Leo hesitated. "I'm not sure—"

Adam cut him off. "Forget it. I don't want to know."

What did it matter if it was a man or a woman? He didn't care about Celine. They were getting a divorce anyway. She could do whatever she wanted. Adam dismissed Leo. "You may go."

"Yes, Mr. Alvarez," Leo replied and left.

Alone, Adam remained by the window. He raised his clean, slender fingers to unbutton his shirt. His reflection in the glass caught his eye; there was a faint imprint of teeth on his prominent Adam's apple. The mark was from Celine.

His mind drifted back to earlier at Lux Garden, when Celine had lunged at him, biting his throat. Later, she nestled against him like a kitten, kissing his Adam's apple and leaving delicate marks everywhere.

Feeling irritated, Adam narrowed his eyes. Ever since their intimate encounter in the bathroom, he had thought of her more than once. Nonetheless, it was just an accident. The desire he felt was nothing other than an accident, too.

When Adam opened his eyes again, they were cold and clear, void of emotion.