Adam watched from the balcony. He saw Nathan give Celine Chanel’s newest bag, but Celine refused it. Celine looked at Adam and asked, “Were you the one who told Mr. Lynch I liked bags?”

Adam raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Was I wrong? I remembered you liked them.”

Celine smiled faintly. “I don’t like them. I prefer more expensive items, like diamond necklaces.”

“You can get Mr. Lynch to buy me a diamond necklace next time,” she added.

Adam’s face darkened. Their conversation ended abruptly.

“What photo did your adoptive father send you today?” Adam asked.

Before the interruption, Celine had planned to tell Adam about the picture and Larry. But she changed her mind. She replied faintly, “It’s just a picture he took of me when I was younger.”

Adam wanted to know more. “Your adoptive father—”

Celine interrupted. “Mr. Alvarez, do you have too much time on your hands? If so, perhaps you could use it to research how to make babies.”

Adam was reminded of her earlier comment, and his face darkened. “How I make babies is none of your business. You don’t have to worry about it.” He then stormed out.

Celine remained alone. How he made babies was none of her business—it had always only been Carly’s business.

Celine’s face paled. She collected her thoughts and left to meet Larry.

She arrived at the pub where Larry had been partying for days. In the luxury suite, two beautiful women clung to his arms.

They recognized Celine. “Why are you here again, pretty lady? Are you here to cause trouble?”

Larry glanced at Celine’s supple, porcelain skin and chuckled. “Don’t worry. She’s here to give me money this time.” He wasn’t surprised by her arrival.

Celine gave the escorts a sidelong glance. “Get out, both of you.”

They refused. “We want to stay with Mr. Slick.”

Larry immediately lost interest in them after Celine’s arrival. “Get out! I have company now.” The escorts reluctantly left; Larry was a generous tipper.

Larry looked at Celine. “Where’s the money I asked for?”

Celine produced a check and handed it to him.

Larry examined the check. The number of zeros made his eyes sparkle. He’d never seen so much money. He was rich! A millionaire!

“You’re so capable, Celine. I didn’t think you could afford 100 million dollars so easily after marrying Adam.”

“Cut the nonsense. We have an agreement. Where’s the photo’s negative?”

Larry pointed to a box on the counter. “The negative is inside.”

Celine opened the box and found the negative. Suddenly, she was struck hard on the nape. The blow caused her to see stars as she collapsed onto the floor.

Larry approached, check in hand, staring greedily at Celine. “I want both the money and you, Celine. You’re mine now. Haha!”

Celine closed her eyes as darkness enveloped her.

Adam was reviewing documents in his study when Cleo entered hurriedly. She whispered, “Mr. Alvarez, I’ve found out why Mrs. Alvarez’s adoptive father was thrown in—”

Adam replied without looking up, “Speak.”