Adam yanked Celine from the restaurant. His long strides forced her to stumble behind him.

She frowned. "Adam, let go of me!"

Ignoring her, he opened the door of his Rolls-Royce Phantom and shoved her into the passenger seat before joining her. The car sped down the road.

Celine furrowed her brows. "Mr. Alvarez, did you finish your dinner so quickly? Was that beautiful woman in the red dress unable to hold your attention with her graceful dance?" She hadn't expected him to appear so suddenly. Moments ago, she had seen him watching the dancer intently.

His hand, adorned with an expensive wristwatch, rested on the steering wheel. The city's neon lights illuminated his refined, handsome face, making him appear both dazzling and intimidating.

Celine nodded. "Of course, I saw you surrounded by admirers. Another woman has lost her heart to you."

Adam smirked. "And what about you? Weren't you at a bar full of pretty boys? Was it fun? Or, that same evening, would you have used my card to get yourself another male companion?"

Celine was taken aback by his sharp retort. Worried about Hailey, she took out her phone and dialed her number. However, the phone continued to ring unanswered. What was Hailey doing?

Adam's deep, husky voice broke the silence. "Is Hailey with Declan?"

Celine nodded. "Probably."

Adam's expression remained unreadable as he said casually, "Tell Hailey to keep her distance from Declan."

Celine glanced at him. "Don't underestimate someone just because they come from humble beginnings, Mr. Alvarez. Are you judging Declan through the lens of privilege? He has potential; there's more to him than meets the eye."

Adam's lips twitched. "I'm not looking down on him. Declan and people like us—and Hailey—are from completely different worlds. It's unlikely they'll have a future together. If you already know something won't work out, why get emotionally involved in the first place?"

His logic was frighteningly rational, and Celine, truthfully, agreed with his reasoning. Declan was like a wild horse that would gallop off into his own world.

She lowered her gaze and replied, "That may be true, but emotions aren't dictated by rationale and logic." She, too, had known from the start that she and Adam wouldn't have a future together. And yet, she still mattered to him.

Adam remained silent.

Half an hour later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up at Jupiter Heights. It was raining heavily. Underneath the car's awning, the two dashed through the rain toward the building.

Celine pressed her finger against the security lock. "Mr. Alvarez, thank you for driving me home. I'll head in now."

She stepped inside and tried to close the door. Before she could, Adam's tall, imposing figure blocked the entrance. He suddenly lifted his knee, wedging the door open. Celine was startled. "Mr. Alvarez, what are you doing?"

Adam said calmly, "You have my keys. My stay will keep the water out. I'll wait inside your place."

Celine immediately refused. "No way! Hey, Adam!"

Resistance was futile. The door was already open, and Adam entered. Celine was speechless.

Finally, she said, "Mr. Alvarez, this is breaking and entering."

Adam glanced around her apartment. Much like his own, it had a good panoramic view. But unlike his monochrome, minimalist style, Celine's apartment had a warm, inviting atmosphere, with a champagne-gold crystal chandelier above.

He surveyed the room and remarked, "This place must have cost quite a bit to furnish." He smirked and asked, "Did Perry pay for all of this?"