Celine had no idea what she was saying. Adam looked at the ice cream in her hand, then at her pure, angelic face. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Eat what?"

Celine's mind went blank. She didn't understand his question. Her heart raced. Deciding to end the awkwardness, she said, "Mr. Alvarez, I'm going to sleep now. Let's end the call." She ended the video call.

Hailey, about to shower, noticed Celine's flushed face. "Celine, why is your face so red?"

Celine touched her cheek. "Maybe it's the heat. Hailey, you'd better go shower."

"Alright," Hailey said, and went into the bathroom.

Left alone, Celine sat quietly, eating her ice cream. Gradually, she calmed down. Why had she panicked? That morning, she had asked him by phone if he wanted to be repaid; he'd hung up without hesitation. So arrogant! So dismissive! But why hadn't he acted that way before?

Deep down, she'd hoped he would accept her offer. Then they could settle things and owe each other nothing.

Celine finished writing the medicinal soup recipe and sent it to Adam via WhatsApp. Her contact list still had him saved as "Husband." Adam didn't reply. As always, he remained cold and distant. Their chat history was filled with her one-sided messages—a monologue. This WhatsApp account had witnessed the humiliating and laughable chapter of her marriage.

Feeling a mix of bitterness and amusement, Celine took a selfie and posted it as a WhatsApp status.

Adam, in his office chair, had received the recipe. He didn't respond. He tried to focus on his documents, but his mind replayed the scene of Celine eating her ice cream. She had even offered him the ice cream she'd eaten, asking, "Do you want it?" Wanted what? The ice cream? Or her?

He leaned back, his tall frame sinking into the chair. He loosened his tie, trying to catch his breath. He opened WhatsApp and checked Celine's status: a selfie. She wore a white camisole and held ice cream.

Ding.

Celine received a curt, commanding message: "Delete it." He wanted her to delete the status. She had been testing him. He didn't reply to her messages but still checked her status. Predictable.

Celine deleted it, though only Adam had seen it. She'd posted it just for him. She opened the chat with "Husband" and sent a message: "Do you want it?"

Adam stared at the message. Bold provocation. An attempted invitation. She wanted to see if she could lure him in, if he would take the bait.

Over the years, Adam had been surrounded by alluring women, including cunning ones. He knew Celine was toying with him, trying to reel him in. He smirked. What a little seductress.

Just then, his phone rang. "Carly" flashed on the screen. The mention of Carly instantly extinguished the fire in his mood. He answered.

Carly's soft voice said, "Adam, are you still upset? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have argued with you or broken things. I was just jealous. I envied how you treated Celine. Please don't be angry anymore. I love you. I really, really love you."

Carly, spoiled by Adam, lowered her pride, apologized gently, and repeatedly declared her love. Adam felt moved. She was, after all, his girlfriend.

His expression softened. "I was at fault too."

Carly brightened. "Then let's forget about it. Tomorrow is Nathan's birthday; everyone's celebrating. Let's go together." Adam nodded. "Alright."

After hanging up, Benjamin emerged from the bathroom, frustrated. "Adam, I'm a Rookie now. I hate Celine!"

Adam glanced at him. "Stop gaming so much. Go fall in love."

"I'd like to. Who should I pursue?"

"Who caught your eye this time?"

Benjamin grinned mischievously. "Adam, do you think Miss Genius is pretty?"

Adam raised an eyebrow. Was Benjamin interested in his junior, Miss Genius?

Benjamin, excited, said, "Adam, I'm heading out. See you at Nathan's birthday tomorrow."

Adam paid little attention to Benjamin's pursuit of Miss Genius. He glanced at Celine's message, "Do you want it?", but didn't reply. He firmly rejected her temptation, refusing to be drawn into her provocations.

Celine wasn't surprised by the lack of response. She knew he wouldn't reply. With Carly and countless other beauties, Adam had plenty of ways to satisfy his desires. She was insignificant. She couldn't conquer this untouchable man—the icy king. He didn't love her. She chuckled bitterly.

She carefully reviewed Tracy's academic thesis, circled two glaring errors with a red pen, and sent it to Perry.

Perry quickly replied, "How could such fatal mistakes exist in an academic thesis? Celine, I'll have the Museum of Medical Sciences remove Tracy's thesis immediately."

The next day, Tracy, with Sonia, Wayne, and Hazel, arrived triumphantly at the museum. In the display window, Tracy's thesis was prominently featured.

"Wow!" Sonia's eyes sparkled. She grabbed Tracy's hand. "I can't believe that our Tate family's daughter has made us so proud! Tracy, you've never disappointed Grandma. You're truly the pride of the Tate family!"