Adam returned to the bedroom. It was empty. Orline was gone.

A knock sounded at the door. It was Leo. "Mr. Alvarez, I saw Mrs. Alvarez on my way here. She's already left."

Adam frowned. "Didn't I tell her not to leave?"

"Mr. Alvarez," Leo said, "I've already sent someone to retrieve the antidote for the aphrodisiac."

Adam pressed his lips together. "No need."

He walked into the bathroom to take another cold shower. In truth, Celine had extinguished the aphrodisiac candle, leaving only faint traces he had inhaled. The effects weren't strong, and he could easily resist them.

Adam stood beneath the showerhead, letting the icy water flow down his body. Tiny droplets splashed against his muscles, scattering across his skin. His perfectly sculpted figure could make anyone faint.

He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. But Celine's face flashed through his mind. The desire he had just suppressed surged back. He cursed under his breath, his expression dark and frustrated as he clenched his eyes shut.

The next morning, Celine's phone rang. It was Robin.

Celine answered; noises could be heard from the other end. Robin's anxious voice came through: "Celine, you need to be careful of Benjamin. He came to my magazine studio today with a group of people to cause trouble!"

"What? Benjamin went to Robin's office to cause trouble?" Celine asked anxiously.

"I'm fine… No!" Robin screamed. There was a rustling sound as someone snatched her phone away.

Benjamin's voice came through: "Celine, your dear friend is in my hands now. You'd better come over immediately!"

Robin shouted, "Celine, don't!"

"Shut her up," Benjamin ordered.

Robin's voice was muffled as she resisted.

Celine's gaze hardened. "Benjamin, don't you dare hurt Robin! I'm coming now!"

Celine rushed to the studio. Benjamin was waiting, with a group of bodyguards. Robin was restrained, her mouth taped shut. When Robin saw Celine, she shook her head vigorously, signaling her to leave.

Celine's gaze locked onto Benjamin. "What do you want, Ben?"

Benjamin, the notorious troublemaker of Mercity (feared only by Adam), stared disdainfully at Celine. "Well, you got here quickly. Carly called me last night, complaining about how you're clinging to Adam and refusing a divorce. Seriously, how desperate can you get? Do you think a country bumpkin like you deserves Adam?"

This was Carly's doing; she must have instigated Benjamin after her ordeal with Adam the previous night, using him to deal with Celine. Benjamin had always looked down on Celine, believing she wasn't worthy of Adam. He had come to vent his frustration, spurred on by Carly.

Benjamin moved to stand beside Robin. "Celine, since you've upset Carly, I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

He raised a hand, ready to hit Robin.

"What!" Celine shouted.

Benjamin paused. "Are you scared, Celine? Then beg for mercy right now!"

Celine met his gaze calmly. "Benjamin, I know you've always looked down on me. How about this? Let's have a competition. If I lose, I'll beg for mercy. But if you lose, you'll release Robin immediately."

Benjamin's interest was piqued. "What kind of competition?"

Celine knew Benjamin's passion for gaming. "Let's play a game and decide the winner."