“I’m here.”

Chapter b141 /b

celine entered the backstage area. As per her instructions to Jaines, it bhad /balready been cleared out. She waspletely alone.

She sat in front of the vanity and begantving her longb, /bsilky ck hair into a low ponytail, revealing her slender, san–like neck

|_ Then, she applied a light, refmedyer of makeup. A final touch of lipstick brought the look together.

Cel, we rarely wore makeup, as her natural features were already pure, delicate, and almost ethereal, But now, with just a subtle enhancement, her bbeauty /bseemed

scherworld.

From outside, Jusses’s voice echoed through the lecture ball. “Good morning, everyone.

Celine rose from her seat and walked to the stage curtain, lifting ba /ber to peekout. Her p?ze swept across the massive hall.

Evert seat in the thousand–bcapacity /bauditorium was filled, a sea of faces buzzing with anticipation Cameras clicked and whimed incessantly, several television

At the podium stood James, speaking into the microphone. “Good morning, everyone. Today, bwe /bare gathered here to wee

The crowd erupted as one. “Dr. Cl”

janes smiled. “That’s night’s an incredible or to have Dr. Chere at Yochine University to deliver this lecture

celme’s eyes scanned the crowd. Adam sat in the front row, dead center in the main section. His tall, elegant frame exuded an effortless authority, and his cold, chiseled features betravedno emotion

To Adam’s lettere Carly band /bTracy, bto /bbhis /bright at the university’s vice principal and head bof /bacademics. No matter where Adam went, he was always the center of attention, always in the spotlight.

James’s voice cang with excitement. “And now, let’s wee Dr.Cto the stage!”

It was time for Celine to step into the bspotlight/b.

For three years, she had been gone. For three years, her title had been Mrs. Alvarez But btoday/b, she was reiming her identity–DL.C

She couldn’t help but imagine Adam’s reaction when he saw her. And Carly’s. And bTracy’s/b. And Melody’s

I would be a sight to remember.

Celinat prepared to make her entrance. She was ready.

But before she could take ba /bstep, a sudden sharp pain exploded at the back of her neck The blow came Lastb, /ba blunt object striking her from behind.

Her vision blurred, and before she could react, everything went ck as her body crumpled to the floor.

Adam sat in the center seat as Carly leaned in close, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Adam, we’re bfinally /bgoing to see Dr. Cl”

The curtain began to draw back slowly. bAdam’s /bgare followed, but the stage was empty. There was no Dr.C

Apple of confusion spread through the auditorum.

“What’s bgoing /bbon/bb? /bWhere’s Dr.C” Tracy raimed,

Jamesb, /bstanding stiffly at the podium, froze indisbelief. Just moments age, Dr. Chad confirmed bvia /bba /bmessage that she was backstage. How could she simply

“Everyoneb, /bplease pemain calm.” James attempted, his bvoice /bstrained bas /bhe struggled to regain control of the crowd

But his words did little to stem the chaos. Munnus rose Into panicked whispers, and the audience buzzed with spection.

Amid themotion, Adam’s bphone /blit up. He nced at the screen–it was Hailey

bLacuring /bhimself, he stood and walked brisky out of the lecture hall. The moment be answered, Hailey’s panicked voice cut through the line.

“Adam! Something’s wrong, bCeline’s /bin trouble!”

Judan’s features darkened instantly, hits thin lips pressing into a line. “What happened to her this time

“I just sa Gelite! the was bhurled /bout [Taken away! I couldn’t catch up to the car, but it was Elijah’s men, Elijah has taken her!”

What? Bij had takenlos f

Not long agob, /bshe had baducted by that scumbag Larry. And bnow/b, she bwas /bin the clutches of the notorious ybay, Elljah.

How many (Beni dom she have chasing after her?

Awwar of frustration, agitened Adam’s chest. Trouble send to follow line like ba /bshadow, dragging him into chaos time and time again.

“Adeb, /byou’d better find Celine Bay! I swear, Elijah seems very interested inher you don’t act quickly, she might get stolen from under your nose. ” Hailey

She had seen Celine being loured intoile carandan’t wasted a secoal before calling Adam, desperate to win him.

bAdam /bdidn’t respond Ending the call, he slipped the phone back into pocket just as Len approached him.

“Mr. Alvarezb, /bshould we lock down the pads like we didst time?”