"Adam!" Mary cried, taken by surprise. Even Celine was stunned. She never thought Adam would take the blame for Carly. There was no denying that he loved Carly more than anyone else.

Adam looked at Mary and said, "Grandma, that's enough. I'm the one who wants to stay with Carly. She's done nothing wrong. I'm the one you should blame. Don't hurt her. Come at me instead!"

Carly eagerly put her arms around Adam. "No! Mrs. Alvarez Senior, please don't hurt Adam! Hit me instead!"

Garland and Adam looked like a tragic couple, while Mary appeared as the villain intent on tearing them apart. Celine's heart throbbed at the scene. Even Mary's hand, which held the whip, trembled.

"Adam, Celine's your wife!" Mary shouted. "Have you forgotten that she stayed with you for three years when you were in a coma? How could you break Celine's heart like this?" She continued, "You've become blind because of Carly. Since that's the case, I'll beat you until you can snap out of it!"

Mary raised the whip to hit Adam, her heart breaking as she did so.

"Grandma!" Celine rushed into the study to stop Mary. "Don't hit him!"

Mary searched for words. "Celine, don't be afraid! I have your back! No one can give you a hard time!"

Warmth seeped into Celine's heart when she heard that. Just then, they heard Carly's pained cry.

"Adam, my heart… it hurts!" she cried.

Turning around, Adam saw Carly with a hand on her chest, her face scrunched up in agony. "Carly!" he called, alarmed. He walked over to Carly and reached for her hand. "Let me take your pulse."

But before Celine could touch Carly, Adam's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist to stop her. Celine lifted her head and met his cold, piercing eyes. "Stop pretending!" he hissed.

He flung Celine's wrist away, making her stumble. Her waist hit the edge of the desk, causing such pain that tears stung her eyes.

Mary shielded Celine and yelled, "Adam, have you lost your mind? How could you do that to Celine?"

Alfred stepped forward to shield Mary and Celine. "Mr. Alvarez, you've gone overboard!"

Adam glanced at Celine and saw her red-rimmed eyes glistening with tears. She looked so pitiful. Clenching his hands, Adam wanted to walk over to her, but Carly started crying in pain.

"Adam, I feel dizzy," she muttered. It looked like she was about to faint.

Adam scooped her into his arms and strode out of the study. "Start the car! We're going to the hospital right away!" Celine looked up to see him carry Carly out of the study. A small, smug smile played on her lips as she lay in his arms. Carly was the victor this time. Mary was so angry that she stomped her feet. "Adam, don't come back if you dare to step foot in this house…"

Then her vision turned black, and she passed out.

"Grandma!"

"Mr. Alvarez Senior!"

Celine and Alfred called out, horrified.

After Celine performed acupuncture on her, Mary lay on the bed, her breathing slowing down.

A concerned Alfred asked, "How is Mrs. Alvarez Senior?"

"She's fine. She just needs to get some sleep," said Celine, packing her needles.

Alfred's blood boiled. "What's wrong with Mr. Alvarez? Why is he taking Carly Tate's side all the time?" Adam adored Carly, and he would hurt anyone for her.