Chapter 450

Haley chimed in. “Exactly, Carly. If you really didn’t know anything, why didn’t you immediately confront Mrs. Tate after finding out she hired someone to kidnap Celine? Instead, you blamed Mr. Alvarez. What does that say about you? If you claim you didn’t know, no one’s going to believe you.”

The crowd’s eyes turned to Carly. “It’s obvious Mrs. Tate and Carly conspired to kill Celine.”

“Thankfully, Celine is the renowned genius Dr. C. Otherwise, she would’ve died at their hands long ago.”

“What’s wrong with Carly? She stole Celine’s mother, her family, and her place. What more does she want? Why does she still want to harm Dr. C?”

“Some people are just born rotten.”

Carly felt her face burn with humiliation as the words cut deep. She realized too late—Celine had lured her into a trap she couldn’t escape.

Adam’s gaze darkened with disappointment. “Carly, why would you do this? You’ve let me down.”

Carly felt like a stranger to him now. Was she still the kind-hearted girl he had met in that cave all those years ago?

“Carly tried to explain, but Celine didn’t give her the chance. She took a step forward and said, “Carly, now you know why I refused to treat you. I’m not a saint. Why should I save someone who wants me dead?”

Carly’s breath hitched.

Celine turned to Adam. “Mr. Alvarez, now that you know Carly tried to kill me, do you still expect to save her?”

Carly didn’t want to die. She desperately grabbed Adam’s arm. “Adam, save me!”

Adam pursed his lips, saying nothing.

Celine smirked. “Carly, if you want me to save you, then beg. Get on your knees and beg me.”

Just moments ago, Tracy had been forced to kneel. Now, it was Carly’s turn.

“Make Carly kneel. You—”

Lucy’s face twisted in shock. “Celine, how dare you—”

“Mrs. Tate, you really do love Carly, don’t you?” Celine replied with a mocking smile.

Lucy’s words died in her throat.

Celine turned back to Carly. “Carly, you only get one chance. I’m giving you that chance now. Are you going to kneel and beg me or not?”

Carly refused to kneel. In her eyes, Celine was nothing but a vile woman. Why should she kneel to her?

Carly turned to Adam, pleading, “Adam, I won’t kneel to Celine. She’s going too far. Please, help me!”

Adam was her only lifeline now.

Lucy and Sonia stepped forward, trying to persuade Adam. “Mr. Alvarez, Carly is your girlfriend. How can you let her kneel before Celine in front of all of Mercity’s elites? This isn’t just humiliating for her; it reflects on you as well.”

Adam remained silent, his handsome, noble face betraying no emotion.

Carly’s heart raced. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. However, one thing was certain—she couldn’t kneel.

Gripping his arm tighter, she whispered, “Adam, don’t you remember your promise? You said you’d protect me, that you’d never abandon me. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Adams looked at her. “Carly, I’ve indulged you time and time again, and it’s led you to this point. If I keep indulging you, I don’t know what you’ll do next. I can’t let you become completely unhinged.”

Carly’s eyes widened in terror. “Adam, what are you saying?”

Adam turned to Celine. “Celine has given you a choice. If she says you kneel, then you kneel.”