Chapter 84

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 merely a girl from the countryside, suited only for someone like Larry. How could she possibly deserve the title of Mrs. Alvarez?

"Mom, you're amazing," Carly praised, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

"Carly, your dad hasn't been home for several nights now. Why don't you call him and get him to come back? He listens to you the most." Hayden truly spoiled Carly like a little princess, always eager to fulfill her wishes.

Carly nodded. "Okay, Mom, I'll call him right now and make sure he comes home." She took out her phone and called Hayden. Lucy felt a sense of ease; without Celine in her way, happiness was finally within reach.

In the CEO's office of Alvarez Group, Adam sat in his black leather chair. Nathan had come to visit, casually leaning against the desk while sipping coffee.

"Adam, I came here today because I have a question for you." Holding a pen in hand, Adam continued reviewing documents, a faint smile playing 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 for guidance on how to win Celine's heart.

Adam paused, his hand holding the pen momentarily still. "Nathan, 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 the pen down and looked at Nathan. "As your good friend, let me be honest. You and Celine aren't a good match."

"Why?" Nathan asked, intrigued.

"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 in silence, his expression unreadable. Adam met his gaze. "What are you staring at me for?"

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

Adam pursed his lips slightly at Nathan's words. With his upbringing and manners, he rarely spoke ill of anyone; even when Nathan had dated a model, Adam had 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 I fall for Celine? That is 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 handsome face remained calm and emotionless, but he gave a faint nod and replied, "Yeah."

Chapter 84

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

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

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Adam didn’t know what Celine liked either. He had never bought her a gift. But he did recall an incident when Carly had just returned from abroad; she had taken a fancy to a Chanel bag, and Adam had asked Leo to buy it. The bag had been sent to Lax Garden, where Celine had seen it. She 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 turned to 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 that ungrateful!" Benjamin proceeded to recount everything that had 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 for a moment before replying, "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 revealed nothing. He didn’t say anything.

Celine returned to Alvarez Residence. Mary was sitting on the couch, waiting for her. "Celine, you’re back. Altred, bring the soup," she instructed.

Altred brought the soup and handed it to Celine. "Mis Alvarez, Mrs. Alvarez Senior asked us to prepare this specially for you. Please have it while it’s warm."

Celine sat down on the couch, 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."

Just then, a maid came over. "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 photo from her childhood—her taking a bath when Larry had barged in and snapped the picture. Celine had quickly grabbed a towel to cover herself, concealing the most critical areas. However, her bare shoulders, legs, and arms were exposed. Her wet hair clung to her delicate frame, and her wide eyes reflected 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 she didn’t manage to take it.