Larry had left. Carly linked arms with Lucy and asked, "Mom, what kind of leverage does Larry have on Celine?"

Lucy smiled. "Carly, that's not something you need to worry about. Just know that Celine is no match for you. She'll end up as nothing more than Larry's plaything."

Carly smirked. To her, Celine was a mere girl from the countryside, only suited for someone like Larry. How could she possibly deserve the title of Mrs. Alvarez?

"Mom, you're amazing," Carly praised.

Lucy's eyes gleamed. "Carly, your dad hasn't been home for several nights. Why don't you call him and get him to come back? He listens to you most."

Hayden spoiled Carly like a little princess; he would do whatever she wanted.

Carly nodded. "Okay, Mom. I'll call him right now and make sure he comes home."

Carly took out her phone and called Hayden. Lucy felt at ease. Without Celine in her way, happiness was finally within reach.

In the Alvarez Group CEO's office, Adam sat in his black leather chair. Nathan entered and took a sip of coffee, lazily leaning against the desk. "Adam, I came here today because I have a question for you."

Adam, holding a pen, continued reviewing documents. A faint smile played on his lips. "What could possibly be troubling you? That's rare."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Adam, give me some advice. How should I pursue Celine?" He was asking how to win Celine's heart. Adam paused, his hand momentarily still.

"Adam, you've been with Celine long enough. You know what she likes and wants. You must have some idea of how to win her over."

Adam put down the pen and looked at Nathan. "Nathan, as your good friend, let me be honest. You and Celine aren't a good match."

"Why?" Nathan asked.

"Celine she's from the countryside. She's uneducated and jobless. At best, she's just a pretty face. She has flaws."

Nathan looked at Adam silently. Adam looked back. "What are you staring at me for?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Adam, we've known each other since the womb. This is the first time I've seen you speak so harshly about a girl." Adam pursed his lips.

With his upbringing and manners, he rarely spoke ill of anyone. Even when Nathan dated a model, Adam kept his opinions to himself. But his reaction to Celine was different.

Nathan's gaze sharpened. "Adam, don't tell me you're trying to keep Celine for yourself. Have you fallen for her?"

Adam chuckled faintly, dismissing the thought. "How could that be?" How could he fall for Celine? That was impossible.

Nathan nodded. "I guess you're right. You've been with Carly for so many years, so you must be planning to marry her." Adam's face remained calm and emotionless, but he gave a faint nod. "Yeah."

Chapter &

Adam was set on marrying Carly. Thinking about it, Nathan pursuing Celine wasn't impossible, but the idea of his good friend getting involved with his ex-wife didn't sit right with him.

"So, some tips? What does Celine like?" Nathan pressed.

Adam didn't know what Celine liked; he'd never bought her a gift. But he recalled an incident: when Carly returned from abroad, she'd wanted a Chanel bag, and Adam had asked Leo to buy it. The bag was sent to Lax Garden, where Celine saw it. Celine had been delighted, her eyes lighting up as she smiled at him. "This bag is beautiful." It seemed she really liked that bag.

"She likes Chanel bags," Adam said.

Nathan grinned. "Bags, huh? That's easy. Thanks."

Just then, Benjamin walked in. "Adam, Nate, you're both here."

Nathan looked at Benjamin. "Benjamin, weren't you at Tate Manor?"

"Yeah, I ran into Celine and her adoptive father. Listen, Celine refused to acknowledge her adoptive father. Can you imagine? She's so ungrateful!"

Benjamin recounted everything that happened at Tate Manor. "Nate, I can't believe you're interested in someone like Celine. Now you see her true colors—a vain, shallow woman who despises the poor and craves wealth!"

Nathan furrowed his brows and looked at Adam. "Adam, what's going on between Celine and her adoptive father?"

Adam paused. "I'm not sure."

Nathan frowned. "Benjamin, sometimes what you see isn't the whole truth. I don't believe Celine is that kind of person. There must be some misunderstanding between them."

"Misunderstanding? Nate, are you seriously still defending her? She must have blinded you! Adam, you should talk some sense into him!" Benjamin was furious. He thought Nathan would distance himself from Celine once he knew about this.

Adam's dark eyes gave nothing away. He didn't say anything.

Celine returned to Alvarez Residence. Mary was sitting on the couch waiting for her.

"Celine, you're back. Alfred, bring the soup," she instructed.

Alfred brought the soup. "Miss Alvarez, Mrs. Alvarez Senior asked us to prepare this specially for you. Please have it while it's warm."

Celine sat down, smiling sweetly. "Thank you, Grandma."

Mary beamed. "Celine, is everything settled with your adoptive father? I was thinking of inviting him for dinner tomorrow. After all, we're family now. We must show some courtesy."

Celine's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Grandma, don't worry about my adoptive father."

Mary chided her gently. "You can't say that. He's your adoptive father, after all."

A maid arrived. "Mrs. Alvarez, someone just delivered a box for you."

Celine took the box. "Who was it from?"

The maid replied, "They said it was from your adoptive father."

Larry had sent Celine a box.

Mary said, "Celine, why didn't your adoptive father come in to sit for a while? Hurry, open the box and see what he sent you."

Celine opened the box to find a photograph. It was a childhood photo. She was bathing when Larry barged in and took the picture. Celine had quickly grabbed a towel, concealing the most critical areas, but her bare shoulders, legs, and arms were exposed. Her wet hair clung to her delicate lace, and her wide eyes showed fear in the dark environment. The image could easily appeal to the wrong crowd.

"Celine, is that a photo your adoptive father sent? Let me have a look." Mary reached for the photo but didn't manage to take it.