However, the automated voice on the other end repeated, "Sorry, but the number you have dialed is no longer in service."

Panic surged through Tracy as she quickly opened WhatsApp and typed a message to Dr. C. She hit send, but the message didn't go through; instead, a red exclamation mark appeared beside it. Dr. Chad had blocked her. His phone number was disconnected, and his WhatsApp had also blocked her. The man who had been sweet-talking her just yesterday had vanished, leaving no trace.

"Smack!"

Tracy's phone slipped from her hand and fell onto the carpet. She collapsed onto the floor, her legs giving way like a deflated soccer ball.

"Tracy, what's wrong?" "Tracy, why are you sitting on the floor? Get up!"

Wayne and Hazel rushed to her. When they touched her, they realized her entire body was ice-cold, her limbs trembling uncontrollably. Tracy was shaking.

Outside the store, Celine and Perry strolled down the street together. Perry couldn't stop chuckling. "Celine, that Tate family is ridiculous. They thought they could marry Dr. C and make him their golden ticket. How could they even come up with such a delusion?"

Celine arched an elegant eyebrow. "They've been dreaming all along. I warned them, but instead of listening, they laughed at me and accused me of jealousy."

"Well, if they end up losing their money, dignity, and everything else, that's on them. It's not my problem anymore!"

Perry laughed harder. "When they finally find out who Dr. C really is, that's going to be a show worth watching!"

Celine smiled faintly as her phone buzzed. It was a WhatsApp message from Hailey. Hailey had written, "Celine, James is inviting us to dinner tonight."

James? She had been so busy lately that she'd almost forgotten about her talented protégé. She quickly typed back, "Alright. Let's go together."

Hailey responded, "Celine, I've got something to do right now and I'm not on campus. Can you wait for me in the girls' dorm? I'll be back soon."

Celine smirked. "Hailey, what are you up to? Did you go looking for Declan, the campus heartthrob, again?"

Hailey's reply came instantly: "Celine, stop teasing me! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Celine ended the chat with a knowing smile. Even though she'd been preoccupied lately, she knew Hailey had been trying to get closer to Declan. But, as always, the cold and aloof Declan had been a no-show, maintaining his usual distance.

"Perry, I need to go to Yorkshire University," Celine said.

"I'll drive you," Perry offered without hesitation.

The two of them climbed into the luxury car. Perry slid into the driver's seat, and Celine settled into the passenger seat.

Just as the car pulled onto the road, Celine's phone buzzed again. It was a WhatsApp message from Adam. Back in Marland, Adam had forced her to add him on WhatsApp. And now, he was sending her messages.

She opened the chat to read his first message: "Is Perry really your boyfriend?"

He was asking if Perry was her boyfriend. She didn't reply. A few moments later, another message popped up: "How did you meet Perry?"

Adam was always sharp and quick to sense things, and now it seemed he was probing for answers about her relationship with Perry. Still, Celine didn't reply. Her silence earned her another notification. This time, the message was blunt and commanding.