Donald froze at the sight of Celine. His eyes lit up with excitement. "Where did this beauty come from?" he asked. "She looks like a goddess!"

Nikdd cowered behind Celine, fear evident in her eyes. "She's my classmate Mr. Holt, we're both students. We don't sleep around with men. Please let us go"

"Students? Even better. I love schoolgirls," he said, his gaze greedily fixed on Celine. "Since you're classmates, you both can" He turned to his bodyguards. "Take them both"

Celine protectively stood in front of the trembling Nikdd, her gaze icy as she stared down Donald. "Grabbing women in broad daylight is illegal!"

"Illegal?" He burst into arrogant laughter. "I'm a man of status in Mercity. I dine with Mercity's wealthiest man, Adam Alvarez. You're talking to me about the law?"

Adam Alvarez was Mercity's wealthiest man. Celine hadn't spoken to him in days. In Mercity, his power was unrivaled; he could control everything with a gesture.

"What are you standing around for? Grab them!" Donald urged impatiently.

The two bodyguards moved to seize the women. Nikdd clung tightly to Celine. "Celine, what should we do?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

As the bodyguards reached for her, Celine's brows furrowed. "How dare you!" she snapped. Fixing her cold gaze on Donald, she challenged, "Try touching us. Do you even know who I am?"

Donald hesitated, taken aback by her imposing demeanor. "Who are you?"

With chilling clarity, she said, "I am Adam Alvarez's wife. You shall call me Mrs. Alvarez."

Donald's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're Mrs. Alvarez?"

"That's right. If you dare lay a finger on us, Adam won't spare you!"

He was skeptical, his expression wavering between doubt and fear. Then, a voice sounded behind him.

"Mr. Alvarez, this way, please."

Celine looked up to see a group of prominent business leaders approaching. At the center, surrounded by deference, stood a tall, striking figure—Adam.

He had arrived! Tonight, he wore a perfectly tailored black suit, exuding elegance and authority. His steady steps carried him forward as the group deferred to his every move. The champagne-gold lights of the corridor cast a dazzling glow on his striking features, enhancing his already magnetic presence.

Celine's long lashes fluttered. She hadn't expected the world to be so small. He had appeared right after they mentioned him.

The Atlas Hotel manager greeted him respectfully. "Mr. Alvarez, this way, please. Your private room is just ahead."

The business executives murmured among themselves. Adam listened passively, his head slightly lowered, as they approached Celine.

While Celine was still in a daze, Donald approached with a flattering smile. "Mr. Alvarez, nice to meet you."

Adam replied in a distant tone, "Hello, Mr. Holt."

"Mr. Alvarez, I truly didn't mean to disturb you, but I have a young female student here. Perhaps you might recognize her?" Donald gestured toward Celine.

Celine raised her gaze to meet Adam's deep, cold eyes. The executives also turned to look at her. Celine's slender, pale fingers curled slightly. Moments ago, she'd only intended to use his name to escape. She never imagined he would actually appear. The last time they'd met, she had slapped him in the hospital. Their relationship had seemed irrevocably broken.

Now that Donald was asking if he recognized her, what would he say? Celine felt a wave of awkwardness and discomfort.

Adam's noble and handsome face remained devoid of emotion as he spoke in a deep, magnetic voice. "I don't know her." He strode past her, the executives following him into a luxurious private room.