Adam frowned, looking up from his documents to Len. "Where did he run off to?"

"He went to the Tates. Mr. Benjamin has already gathered Mercity's thirty-six mainstream media companies for an imminent press conference to expose Mrs. Alvarez for abusing and abandoning her adoptive father."

Adam pursed his lips. What the heck was Benjamin doing?

"What are you all doing? How do you let this happen? Larry is incapacitated, yet he still escaped?"

Sweat beaded heavily on Leo's forehead as he saw Adam's anger. "Mr. Alvarez, actually—"

"I told Leo to allow it," Celine's clear voice interrupted.

Adam looked at Celine skeptically. "You?"

Celine nodded. "I told Leo to deliberately let Larry escape."

Adam's gaze was deep, like an abyss. "Why would you do that? They're planning a press conference now."

"That scumbag plans to cling to you for life. I'll send someone to the Tates to retrieve him. The press conference will be canceled, as if nothing happened. Whatever you don't want anyone to know will remain hidden."

Celine knew Adam was capable of covering everything up without leaving a trace. Beforehand, she'd wondered about his reaction to learning about her and Larry. Instead of anger, he offered protection. He was shielding the vulnerable parts of her heart from the world, sparing her the judgment and pain.

Celine interrupted him. "No need, Mr. Alvarez. I'll handle this myself."

Adam didn't believe her. "Celine, you—"

Celine smiled, playfully winking. "Mr. Alvarez, you've already helped me once. I'm afraid I can't repay your kindness."

The atmosphere shifted as Celine recalled her repayment of his kindness the previous night. Adam, naturally, had the same recollection. He retracted his gaze, returning to his documents. His voice was flat as he muttered, "Up to you."

Celine looked at him. Since leaving the B&B, Adam had resumed his usual aloofness. They had kept their promise—though only they knew about the events of the previous night.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "What's going on with the press conference, Adam? Why are they saying that Celine—"

Nathan arrived, spotting Celine immediately. Elated, he exclaimed, "What are you doing here, Celine?"

Celine smiled, sitting on the couch. "Mr. Lynch, what are they saying about me?"

Nathan sat beside her. "They're saying you're evil, that you despise the poor and suck up to the rich. They're questioning your treatment of your adoptive father."

"Do you believe them, Mr. Lynch?"

Nathan didn't. "If you loved the rich and despised the poor, why wouldn't you like me? Why wouldn't you accept—" He wanted her to know he was wealthy.

Celine was speechless.

Adam, in his office chair, looked grim. What were they doing? Flirting in front of him?

"Where were you last night, Celine?" Nathan asked.

Celine's heart pounded. "Why?"

"I called twice, but it didn't go through. The same for Adam. Were you two together last night?"

"No!" Celine denied quickly. "I wasn't with Mr. Alvarez last night."

Adam inwardly scolded her. Was she really that worried about Nathan finding out? She was so good at lying.