Hailey and Robin called out, "Celine, why are you walking so fast? Wait for us!"

Adam watched Celine walk away and smiled. Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Nikki. She seemed impatient, asking, "Mr. Alvarez, are you here yet?"

Adam's cold gaze deepened, and he responded simply, "I'm here."

Nikki was thrilled to see Adam's reply; he was truly coming to her birthday party. However, it was a shame Celine wasn't there. She wished Celine could witness this moment.

"Everyone, the birthday party can start now because the important guest I've been waiting for is here," she announced.

"Sweetheart, who is it exactly?" someone asked.

"Ms. Barnett, could you please bring out the important guest? We are eager to meet him," another voice called.

Nikki grinned. "In that case, let's bring him on stage right now."

The banquet hall door opened, drawing everyone's attention. Nikki walked forward happily and said, "Mr. Al—"

As she was about to call out Adam's name, she froze in disbelief at the sight of an unexpected figure approaching. To her surprise, it wasn't Adam at all; it was her boyfriend, Liam Walker.

Liam, arriving from the construction site, was still clad in his work uniform. With a joyful stride, he approached Nikki and exclaimed, "Happy birthday, Nikki!"

Nikki was stunned. Why had Liam shown up, and where was Adam? Over the years, Liam had supported Nikki's university studies, but she had only used him. With her striking beauty and impressive physique, she viewed him as nothing more than a stepping stone; he wasn't worthy of her. She desired a partner like Adam, dreamed of celebrity status, and envisioned marrying a wealthy man. She was eager to escape her impoverished upbringing and elevate her social standing. She had been secretly dating Liam, keeping their relationship hidden from everyone, but now he had made a surprising entrance at her birthday party.

Everyone turned to Liam. "Who's this?" someone asked.

"Ms. Barnett, is he the important guest you've been waiting for?" another voice inquired.

Liam's work uniform sparked hushed conversations among the fans and media. Nikki's expression shifted instantly. She couldn't allow anyone to discover her connection with Liam.

Turning to him, she declared, "Who are you? I don't know you. You must have mistaken me for someone else. It's my birthday today. Please leave." Nikki began to chase him away. Liam grasped her arm, saying, "Nikki, what's going on? I'm your boyfriend."

Fans and media reporters were astonished, exclaiming, "Ms. Barnett is in a relationship with a construction worker?"

Panic washed over Nikki. Liam's unexpected presence threatened to shatter her moment of triumph. "I don't know him! Please get him out!" she cried. She began to call security, and Liam's anxiety heightened. He wrapped his arms around her. "Nikki, why won't you acknowledge me as your boyfriend? Do you look down on me now that you've become a celebrity? Do you think I'm not worthy of you?"

Before Nikki could speak, Liam showed photos on his phone to the reporters. "Look! Here are intimate pictures of Nikki and me. I'm her boyfriend. I've been working tirelessly at the construction site to fund her education. I've spent over a million dollars on her. She promised that she would marry me once she graduates."

Liam had many photos on his phone, including moments with Nikki where they were hugging and kissing. The sight left everyone in awe.