Celine couldn't help but wonder what Adam meant. After all, he had inhaled traces of an aphrodisiac—why would she refuse to help?

She paused, then it clicked. Her face turned bright red, and she quickly waved her hands in embarrassment.

"I didn't mean it like that! I can help you in another way."

"Oh?" Adam raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. Seeing her panicked reaction, he couldn't help but tease her. "What other way?"

Celine was speechless. He was doing this on purpose, wasn't he? He was toying with her innocence.

Adam stood before her, wearing well-tailored trousers; an expensive leather belt accentuated his narrow waist. Her gaze darted away awkwardly.

Suddenly, Adam reached out to cup her face in his palms. He asked playfully, "What are you looking at now, Celine?"

Earlier, she had been wandering around his room. Now, her gaze lingered on him. Celine didn't know how to respond. "I—I wasn't looking at anything! I want to go home now!" she blurted, attempting to get up and leave.

Adam stopped her. His hands remained steady on her face. "Why were you sent to the countryside back then?"

A hint of confusion flashed across Celine's eyes. She lifted her gaze to meet his.

"Was it because nobody wanted you?"

His words struck a nerve. Tears welled up in her eyes. His words stung. She was hurt that everyone had abandoned her, even more hurt that the man who had once promised to return never did. Her eyes filled with deep sorrow.

Standing there, Adam had the power to protect anyone he wanted. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pity for her. As he looked down at Celine, seated vulnerably on the bed, the sight of her tear-filled eyes tugged at his heart. It felt as if she was silently calling out to him—to want her, to protect her. An undeniable attraction pulled him in. The strong desire he had worked so hard to suppress began to surface again.

Suddenly, he playfully pinched her soft cheeks. Her lips parted in surprise, exposing the delicate pink of her tongue. He leaned in, quickly releasing his grip on her face. His breath became heavier. "Need to cool off," he muttered, and quickly disappeared into the bathroom.

Celine remained seated on the bed. Deep down, she knew she didn't need anyone to rely on. However, whenever Adam was around, she longed to lean on him—the man who had once promised her when no one else did. But deep down, she knew it was impossible. He didn't want her; he only wanted Carly.

Back at Tate Manor, the living room was in complete disarray. Wayne and Hazel had stormed out with Tracy, muttering curses as they left. Sonia, enraged by the events, had been rushed to the hospital. The grand birthday banquet had turned into a disaster, making the Tate family the laughingstock of Mercity.

Carly sat on the sofa, clenching her teeth in frustration. Suddenly, a thought struck her—where was Adam? All the guests had left, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Adam?" she called out.