Chapter Bi

When Celine left the bathroom, Adam was already gone, likely summoned by Carl. Just then, her phone rang. It was Lacy. Carly’s call prompted a self-mocking curl of her lips.

Celine answered. Lucy said warmly, “Carly’s invited some friends over today. Why don’t you join us?”

Celine wondered, Since when was Lucy so kind? Her voice remained calm. “Alright, I’ll head over now.”

Robin, having heard the news, rushed over immediately. “Celine, I don’t trust Lucy. That scumbag Larry is out of prison. Are you sure you want to go to Tate Manor?”

Celine remained composed. “There’s something I need to confirm.”

Worried, Robin decided to accompany Celine.

Tate Manor was bustling. Carly had invited several friends, including Benjamin and some wealthy heirs.

Benjamin’s expression darkened upon seeing Celine. “Celine, what are you doing here?”

Carly responded with a bright smile, “Benjamin, I invited her.”

Benjamin clearly disliked Celine. “Carly, why would you do that? We don’t want to hang out with her.”

Celine wasn’t angry. Blinking her long eyelashes, she looked at Benjamin, the group’s self-proclaimed tyrant. Smiling faintly, she said, “I don’t want to play with a rookie either.” Benjamin was exasperated. He wasn’t a rookie! He was a pro!

The shame of their last gaming match still haunted him. He jumped to his feet. “Celine, let’s see if you dare play another match with me!”

Celine raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m busy.”

Benjamin nearly exploded. “You—”

Robin chuckled. It seemed that, aside from Adam, the only person Benjamin couldn’t handle was Celine. She believed Celine would one day have him completely under her thumb.

Just then, Lacy appeared and announced, “Celine… since everyone’s gathered, I’d like to introduce someone.”

Larry entered the room.

Lucy smiled and said, “This is Celine’s adoptive father from the countryside.”

Benjamin and the others stared at Larry. Benjamin sneered, “Ben, is this really Celine’s adoptive father? Why is he one-eyed?” He added, “It looks like Celine never had a good background; she’s not good enough for Adam.”

Celine’s gaze turned icy. She understood Lucy and Carly’s plan. They’d brought Larry to torment her.

Larry approached, reaching out as if to embrace her. “Celine, it’s me.”

Before he could get closer, Robin stepped in front of Celine, spitting coldly, “Stay away from her, you scum! Don’t you dare lay a filthy hand on her!”

Larry feigned a pitiful demeanor. “Celine, I’m your adoptive father. I raised you. Now that you’re married into a wealthy family, you’ve cut ties with me? Are you ashamed of me?”

Carly seized the opportunity. “Celine, that’s not right. He’s your adoptive father. You should bring him home and take care of him.”

Celine fixed her eyes on Larry, whose humble mask hid a vile grin. It was as if he were silently taunting her—she could never get rid of him.