"How much do you want?" Celine asked.

Larry, barely containing his greed, declared, "One hundred million dollars."

Celine smiled mockingly, laughing soundlessly. "One hundred million dollars? You dream big, huh?"

"Stop your nonsense! You have to deliver one hundred million dollars to me personally by tonight, or the entire city will see your photo. I'll be waiting for you tonight," Larry said, then hung up.

Celine gripped her phone tightly. Adam's voice rang out from behind her. "Were you on the phone with your adoptive father?"

Celine turned to see Adam returning to his room. His gaze was fixed on the box in her hands. His lanky figure cast a shadow before her as he said, "Grandma said your adoptive father sent you a photo. What photo is that?" Celine wondered if she could tell him about her adoptive father. What would his reaction be?

"This photo is—" Celine began, but her phone rang. This time, it was Nathan.

She answered. "Come out quickly, Celine! I have a gift prepared for you," Nathan said excitedly.

She frowned. "Mr. Lynch, I'm not available right now…"

"I'm right outside the Alvarez Residence. If you don't come out, I'll come in."

Celine immediately compromised. "Don't come in. I'll come out."

Adam looked at Celine and asked, "Was that Nathan?"

Celine nodded. "Yes. I'll head out for a bit. I'll tell you about the photo later when I'm back."

Celine exited the Alvarez Residence and saw Nathan's flamboyant red sports car in the driveway. He emerged, looking dashing as always, a pretty gift bag in his hand.

"This is the gift I want to give you, Celine," Nathan said, handing her the bag.

Celine didn't take it. "What's this, Mr. Lynch?"

Nathan took a bag from the gift bag. "This is Chanel's newest bag. Do you like it?"

Celine glanced at it. "Thank you, Mr. Lynch, but I don't like it. I won't accept this."

"You don't like it? But Adam said you liked bags," Nathan said, curious.

Celine paused. "He said that?"

"Yes. Today, Adam said you looked at a Chanel bag last time and said it looked beautiful."

Celine remembered what had happened. Adam had recently woken from a coma. It was her birthday, and she'd seen the newest Chanel bag in his study. She'd thought he'd bought it for her as a birthday gift, and had been very happy, telling him it was beautiful. She later discovered he'd bought it for Carly, seeing Carly carrying it to a high tea. She'd been delusional about an affection that never existed. It wasn't that she liked bags; she'd liked the idea of it as a gift from him. He had never given her any gifts. She hadn't expected Adam to think she liked Chanel bags because of this. How ironic.

Nathan, unaware of her turmoil, continued, "I went to Adam's office today to ask him how I can pursue you. He told me you like bags, so I got someone to buy it. Tell me, Celine, what do you like?"

Celine was surprised. Adam had taught Nathan how to pursue her? Bitterness filled her heart. "Mr. Lynch, I don't like anything. If I wanted these things, I could have plenty of them. I don't need any of you to give me gifts like these. Stop wasting—"

Then, Celine turned and left.

When Celine returned to her room, she saw Adam standing on the balcony, watching them. He turned as she entered. "You didn't like the bag Nathan gave you?" he asked.