Following the toast, Carly glanced at Adam, who sat beside her. He remained silent throughout the event, not engaging in conversation with the Tates. He maintained a remarkably low profile. After Celine's departure, he gazed absently in her direction, lost in thought.

Carly asked, "Adam, what's wrong? Do you think it's inappropriate for us to invest in Dr. C's medical group?"

Adam looked at Dr. C, who sat across from him. A twinge of guilt washed over Dr. C, but Adam's gaze remained steady and incisive, as if seeing right through him. The recent encounter with Adam and Celine left him unsettled. Adam simply cast a calm glance in Dr. C's direction before turning away. "It's nothing," he said. "Just make your own decisions." He added, "I need to attend to something else, so I'll be leaving now."

He stood and prepared to depart.

"Mr. Alvarez, why are you leaving? We haven't had dinner," Sonia said, signaling Carly.

Carly knew Adam was still upset about the photo. Yet, when he learned of her heart problems, he'd rushed over without hesitation. Placing a hand over her heart, she said, "Adam, my heart is hurting."

Adam stopped as Carly fell into his arms. "Adam, can you please carry me upstairs to rest?"

"Yes, Mr. Alvarez. Please take Carly to rest," Sonia agreed.

Adam gazed at Carly's pale complexion and, after a moment's hesitation, lifted her into his arms. Together, they ascended the stairs. Sonia looked at Hayden and Lucy. "Since Tracy's dating Dr. C, and they'll be getting married soon, will Carly still not be marrying Mr. Alvarez by then?"

Hayden and Lucy were stunned. Adam and Carly's situation wasn't going as planned.

Sonia hinted, "I've always valued Carly. She needs to speed up the process. It's time for Mr. Alvarez and Celine to get a divorce."

Their marriage had lingered far too long. It was indeed time for them to separate.

Lucy quickly understood. "Mom, I get it. Carly will make sure Mr. Alvarez stays tonight."

Sonia was pleased. "That's great. Tracy and Carly are important members of our family. A joint wedding would be best. It'll create a buzz in Mercity and become a memorable story."

She envisioned a lovely fantasy. Despite the secret rivalry between the Hayden and Wayne families, they had remained united after Aaron's death, especially against Celine. A wedding uniting Adam and Dr. C would fill the Tate family with pride.

Sonia raised her glass again. "Let's raise another toast to the incredible life ahead of us."

"Cheers."

Celine didn't leave Tate Manor immediately. She wandered into the backyard, where a swing, built by Aaron for her, once stood. As a child, she'd sat on that swing, soaring high as Aaron pushed her. "Celine is flying high," she recalled.

Joyful memories of Aaron lingered, but upon discovering the swing's removal (ordered by Sonia), her heart sank. Gazing at the empty space, she felt a crushing tightness in her chest. The loss of that cherished memory left her profoundly unsettled.

After standing quietly, Celine was about to leave when two maids approached with a tray of scented candles. Overhearing their conversation, she heard, "Are these scented candles for Mr. Alvarez and Ms. Carly's room?"