The reporters grew increasingly aggressive, and Nikki's face drained of color. She glanced up at her fans; their affection had vanished. "How could we have been so stupid?" they lamented. One fan exclaimed, "At first, I believed I was admiring a kind-hearted celebrity, but it turns out she's just a bitch!" "Let's go," another said, and all her fans left.

Nikki realized she had hit rock bottom. Her birthday, supposed to be the highlight of her life, had become a spectacular failure. One moment she was on top of the world; the next, she was plunged into despair. She felt lost. In her daze, she gazed up at Adam, who stared at her condescendingly. His cold, knowing eyes created a tense atmosphere. At that moment, she understood he knew everything.

Two black-clad bodyguards rushed Nikki up the stairs. "Hurry up!" they urged. She lost her balance and fell to her knees. Adam, standing by the carved railing, stared down at her.

Nikki trembled. "Mr. Alvarez… please hear me out."

"Go ahead," Adam replied indifferently. "So, tell me. Why did you pretend to be Celine?"

Nikki's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mr. Alvarez, you knew all along?"

Adam sneered. Just then, Liam walked in. "Good evening, Mr. Alvarez."

Nikki was even more surprised. "How did you know Mr. Alvarez?"

Liam gazed at Nikki with disappointment. "Mr. Alvarez shared the pregnancy report with me and arranged for me to come to your birthday. Otherwise, I wouldn't have seen your true self."

Nikki gasped, struggling to comprehend that Adam had known the truth all along, yet remained passive, using Liam to expose her. A chill ran through her as she grasped the true nature of the person she had provoked.

"Mr. Alvarez, I'm sorry. I was wrong. It was Celine that night, and I pretended to be her. I was too jealous of her. I couldn't understand why she could have you, and I couldn't. Please forgive me. I won't do it again," Nikki pleaded.

Adam cast a cold, contemptuous glance at her. "If it weren't for Celine, you would've just been another face in the crowd." He continued, "I'll revoke all the resources I provided, ban you from all platforms, and ruin your dream of becoming a celebrity. I never want to see you again. You'll be expelled from Yorhine University, so pack your belongings and leave Mercity. Don't ever show up in front of me again."

Nikki cried, overwhelmed by the loss of everything she had worked for—her place at Yorhine University, the admiration, the fame, and the wealth. Adam turned to leave.

"Please, Mr. Alvarez… I beg you," she sobbed.

Adam paused, glaring at her. "It's important to be self-aware. What gives you the right to be jealous of Celine? You're just a wicked soul trying to intertwine yourself with her life, pretending to be her. This will undoubtedly be the most regrettable choice you've ever made."