Adan’s answer stunned Larry. After a brief moment of thought, Larry hummed. “I’ll let you decide, Mr. Alvarez ”

Adam nodded. “How about a million?

A million dors? Larry’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected Adam to other such arge sum.

“That’s more than enough,” Larry quickly bsaid/b.

Adam pulled out a checkbook, wrote the amount, and handed it to Larry.

Larry counted the zeros carefully. It really was ba /bmillion d

1 dors. He grinned. “Thank you, Mr. Alvarez. I’ll be leaving now.“”

With the check in hand, Larry left the estate glectully.

When Adam returned to the bedroom, Celine was there, waiting for him.

She stared at him. “What did Larry say to you?

Adam unbuttoned the first button of his ck shirt, revealing his corbone. He chuckled. “What do you think he bsaid/b?

Celine frowned. “I’m serious. Don’t joke with me

Adam took off his expensive watch and ced it on the nightstand. He bcocked /ban eyebrow at her tease expression. “Nothing much. He just asked for money.”

Celine’s face fell “And did you give it to him?”

“Idid” Adam nodded.

“How much?” Celine sucked in a breath.

“One million dors.” Adam shrugged

Celine was speechless. “Why would you give him money? And why that much?”

Adam approached her and teased, “Celine, what’s wrong? That’s your adoptive father. What’s the bar in giving him a million?”

Celine observed him. Adam was always generous and kind to her. To him, a million dors was nothing more than a pocket change.

Her eyes locked onto his handsome face. “He asked for a million today. Tomorrow, it’ll be two million. You’re just fueling his greed. I’m going to get that money back for you right

Celine turned to leave, but Adam grabbed her arm. “Celine, what’s gotten into you?”

He asked in a lowered voice, “Why was your adoptive father imprisoned? A ten–year sentence isn’t a light punishment,”

He sounded curious, but his tone remained gentle.

Adam, raised in privilege and refined education, embodied grace and decency. He had always treated her well, never once looking down on her because of her past. Even Mary had shown eptance toward her, embodying the true values of an esteemed family.

Celine didn’t answer when Larry threw the question back at her. But it wasn’t because she felt ashamed. She just thought it wasn’t necessary.

Celine stared at Adam. “This is a personal matter. It has nothing to bdo /bwith you”

bAdam /bsmiled faintly. He tugged her closer and muttered with a mix of amusement and annoyance, “Celine, don’t push your luck.”

She sighed. “Adamb, /bbdon’t /bget involved in things you can’t take responsibility for. Don’t give people hope and end up disappointing them in the end.”

She pulled her arm free from his grip and turned to leave.

Adam was a good man, but he didn’t belong to her. They would divorce soon. He was meant for Carly. No matter how much she yearned for his support, she couldn’t bring herselt to rely on him

He had promised to take her away years ago. He would never know how long she waited for him there. She waited day after day, but he never came

Instead, she only faced the arrival of that monster Larry

Adam had nevere to take her away.