Even Adam couldn’t explain it. What had he been expecting? That Celine would actually come?

“Mrs. Alvarez went into the hospital room after I spoke to her, so I followed your orders and found someone clean to send over.”

That someone was Nikki.

Adam’s face was unreadable. “Got it.” He left the study and stepped into the bathroom, turning on the cold water. Icy streams poured over his head, soaking his hair and trickling down his neck. There were marks on his body—scratches across his chest and a deep bite on his shoulder. He had thought they were Celine’s, traces she left behind. However, they weren’t.

Last night had been nothing but a wet dream where he thought he’d had her. Celine never came, and instead, he ended up with Nikki.

He scrubbed at his skin furiously, as if he could erase the marks and everything they represented. When his frustration boiled over, his fist slammed against the tiled wall with a loud crack.

Nikki stood in the study, dressed and waiting nervously. Soon, Adam walked in, fresh from his shower. He wore a crisp white shirt and black trousers. His usual polished, aloof demeanor was fully restored. His cold, detached bearing made it clear that the events of the night before were irrelevant.

“Mr. Alvarez,” Leo greeted him.

Adam took his seat at the desk, his sharp gaze cutting to Nikki. “Here’s a check. Take it and leave.”

Leo handed her the check, a sum so large it was dizzying. However, Nikki didn’t reach for it. “I don’t want the money.”

A sardonic smile curled his lips. His voice was low and devoid of warmth. “This was a transaction. You’re here to sell your body, right? If you don’t want the money, what do you want? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me.”

Nikki’s face turned pale. She had known he was cold, but she hadn’t expected this level of cruelty. His words stripped her bare, exposing her motives and crushing her dignity. Yet, even this cutting indifference only made him more magnetic.

“Mr. Alvarez, I know you don’t like me. I’m not asking for anything romantic. I don’t want money; I just want an opportunity to join Alvarez Group’s Universal Entertainment. I’m a theater major. I want resources to help me become a star.”

Adam studied Nikki for a moment. “Alright then.”

Just like that, he agreed. For a man like him, launching an entertainment career was as simple as a wave of his hand. It wasn’t even worth discussing. Furthermore, he was a generous person.

“Ms. Barnett, someone from Universal Entertainment will be in touch soon to finalize your contract. You’ll have access to top-tier opportunities in a variety of shows, films, fashion, and all the resources you could dream of. A gold-standard team will craft your image and prepare you for stardom,” Leo said.

Nikki’s eyes lit up. This was everything she had ever wanted. Now, it was hers. “Thank you, Mr. Alvarez.”

Adam remained indifferent. Leo gestured toward the door. “Ms. Barnett, this way, please.”

Their transaction was complete, and they wouldn’t contact each other again. Leo had also asked her to leave. With one last lingering glance at him, Nikki followed Leo out.

Silence returned to the study. Then, a phone rang. Adam glanced at the screen; it was Lucy.

“Mr. Alvarez, you left Carly alone last night. Something happened to her. She’s in the hospital now. You need to come immediately!”