In the subtly luxurious conference room, Adam, handsome and dignified in a custom-made black suit, led the senior executives of Alvarez Group in a meeting with Mark Velaro, CEO of LeVinci from Frankford.
"Mrs. Alvarez," the receptionist said, offering Celine a cup of coffee, "Mr. Alvarez speaks excellent French. He knows over twenty languages and never needs a translator."
Celine smiled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Mrs. Alvarez. I'll be going then," the receptionist said before leaving.
"Okay."
After the receptionist left, Celine's gaze shifted to the floor-to-ceiling windows, where she watched Adam speaking to Mark in flawless French. The scene—top executives mingling in a business meeting—exuded opulence and indulgence. Through the glass, she saw Adam's glamorous, intoxicating presence. It was no wonder so many women were drawn to him—first Carly, and now Nikki.
When serious, Adam possessed a reserved elegance that seemed almost unattainably cold. However, recalling his pressure tactics, Celine couldn't help but see him as a man of contradictions. On the surface, he appeared restrained; beneath, a beast hid behind a facade of control.
A mischievous thought struck Celine. She took out her phone, opened WhatsApp, and began to compose a message.
In the conference room, Adam's phone pinged. He was speaking with Mark, but the notification caused him to retrieve his phone. It was a message from Celine: "Mr. Alvarez, I've come to beg you."
Adam glanced up, seeing Celine sitting outside the window. She wore a white shirt, a striped skirt, and a beige baseball jacket draped over her shoulders. Her long, dark hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, giving her a pure and innocent appearance. Their eyes met across the room.
Mark, noticing Celine, asked in French, "Mr. Alvarez, who is this?"
Adam looked at her for a moment before replying to Mark, "She's my wife."
Mark was surprised. "Is Mrs. Alvarez still a student?"
Adam nodded. "Yes."
He then returned his attention to business with Mark, sparing Celine another glance before focusing on the matter at hand. It was clear he expected her to wait.
As Celine gazed at Adam's handsome, composed figure, a mischievous streak emerged. She scrolled through her photo gallery and sent him another message.
Adam's phone rang again. He paused, briefly excused himself, and checked the message. It was an animated image of a woman seductively licking a lollipop—like an intrusive website ad.
His expression darkened as he looked at her through the glass. His gaze was intense, a mix of restraint and barely contained desire. The silent warning in his eyes was unmistakable. Carly or Nikki might have melted, but Celine wasn't easily intimidated.
She smirked, knowing he enjoyed playing the unapproachable, stoic man, making her beg. But Celine had other plans. She would dismantle his facade and reveal the side of him far more dangerous than he let on.
Mark noticed the intensity of Adam's gaze and followed it to Celine. He complimented her, "Mrs. Alvarez has such a remarkable presence. Her beauty is almost ethereal."
Adam's jaw involuntarily tightened at the praise. Celine truly did possess an angelic, untouched beauty, yet she dared send those playful, seductive images during his important meeting. That was what Adam found intriguing: her captivating innocence coupled with her skillful use of allure. She was a contradiction.