Leo brought the Rolls-Royce to a smooth stop. Adam turned his sharp gaze toward Nikki. “Get out,” he said. He was leaving her on the side of the road. Nikki climbed out. Before she could process what had happened, the luxury vehicle roared to life and sped off, leaving her in a cloud of exhaust fumes. Furious, Nikki stomped her foot, her frustration simmering.

Meanwhile, Celine had arrived at the Alvarez Residence. She sat comfortably on the living room couch, chatting casually with Mary. Soon, the grand front doors swung open. A gust of cold air, carrying the commanding presence of a tall, elegant figure, swept through the room. Adam had returned. The housekeeper greeted him with a polite bow. “Good evening, Mr. Alvarez.” At the entrance, Adam exchanged his shoes for house slippers and strode toward the living room. His dark eyes fell on Celine. The two hadn't seen each other since that day in the campus infirmary.

She had grown thinner; her petite frame seemed even more fragile. Her strikingly beautiful face had an ethereal, almost distant quality. Still dressed in her uniform—a crisp white blouse tucked into a plaid skirt under a fitted jacket—she wore her jet-black hair in a high ponytail, giving her a fresh, youthful appearance. She looked the very image of innocent college charm. Adam's gaze lingered briefly, but he said nothing.

“Adam, you’re back. Let’s eat,” Mary called.

The three gathered in the dining room. Mary took her usual seat at the head of the table; Adam and Celine sat opposite each other. A housekeeper approached, carefully setting a steaming bowl of soup before Adam. He picked up his spoon and took a sip, pausing with a slight frown. “Grandma, what is this soup?”

Mary smiled mischievously. “It’s fertility soup, good for your health.”

Adam was momentarily speechless. “Adam, do you remember what I told you last time? You’re not getting any younger. It’s time for you and Celine to give me a great-grandchild. Now hurry up and finish that soup; I want to hold a great-grandbaby tonight!”

Adam’s gaze rested on Celine. She lifted her eyes to meet his briefly before turning to Mary. “Grandma, I have to go back to campus tonight,” she said softly.

Mary blinked in surprise. “Celine, you rarely come home. Can’t you stay the night?”

“Grandma, I’ve been busy with my coursework lately,” Celine replied.

Mary reached over, placing a piece of sweet and sour pork rib on Celine’s plate. “Celine, you’ve lost weight recently. Eat more. After dinner, let Adam drive you back.”

Adam’s gaze lingered on Celine. She didn’t respond. Instead, she lowered her lashes, quietly picked up the rib with her fork, and took a small bite.

Something about her quietness tugged at something deep in Adam’s chest.

After dinner, Celine rose. Adam grabbed his car keys and followed her out. As they walked side by side, a faint scent drifted to Celine—sweet, ripe peaches. It was Nikki’s perfume. Earlier, in the VIP hospital room, Nikki had sprayed it with an almost smug air, mentioning her “boyfriend” was coming to pick her up.

Celine’s face turned pale. It all made sense. In Mercity, only Adam, the city’s wealthiest man, could have orchestrated Nikki’s meteoric rise. Adam was Nikki’s sugar daddy. Celine had suspected it, but hadn’t wanted to believe it.

They continued walking across the expansive lawn toward the sleek luxury car. Breaking the silence, Adam asked casually, “What made you decide to come home tonight?”

“Mr. Alvarez, do you have time tomorrow?”

Adam glanced at her. “Why?”

“Let’s go to city hall and get a divorce,” she said.

Adam froze. Celine stood her ground, her delicate features unwavering. “Adam, I want a divorce. I don’t want to wait even one more day.”