Lucy snorted coldly. “It’s up to you to put on a good show. You can go now.”

Nikki ran off in a panic.

“Mom, why did you let that imposter go?”

Lucy smiled slyly. “Carly, Mr. Alvarez still doesn’t know that the woman from that night was Celine. We can use Nikki to deal with Celine before he finds out the truth. All we need to do is stay put and wait to reap the rewards.”

Carly steadied herself, reminding herself that Adam still didn’t know. Everything was still within reach.

“Mom, you’re so clever.”

Lucy hugged Carly affectionately. “Carly, I’m willing to do anything for your happiness. If Celine stands in your way, I will find a way to make her disappear.”

To Carly, Lucy had always been like a stepmother. Yet, she treated her with such care that it felt as though she were her true mother.

“Mom, why are you so good to me?”

Lucy stroked her head gently, her voice filled with tenderness. “Because you are my daughter.”

Carly felt an overwhelming rush of vengeful satisfaction. Celine’s mother had never loved her. The person she truly cherished was Carly. She treated her as though she were her real daughter. Carly flashed a sweet smile and clung to Lucy. “Mom.”

Adam returned to Lux Garden, and the maid quickly greeted him. “Welcome back, Mr. Alvarez.”

He walked into the living room, and his gaze fell on the couch. That night, on that very couch, two bodies had intertwined—one cold and strong, the other soft and delicate. Their connection had led to an unforgettable night of passion.

Who was the woman from that night? Was it Celine? He didn’t dare to believe it because that woman had been a virgin. Could Celine still have been a virgin?

At that moment, something caught Adam’s eye beneath the couch. He bent down and picked it up. It was a silver acupuncture needle—the needle Celine always carried with her.

Why was her silver needle here? The answer was clear. That night hadn’t been a dream. Celine had been there. This silver needle was the most undeniable evidence. The woman from that night had been Celine.

Adam immediately took out his phone and made a call. The call connected quickly, and a familiar voice came through. It was Nathan. “Hello, Adam.” Adam clenched the phone tightly. “Nathan, I have a question for you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did you ever have a relationship with Celine?”

There was a sharp intake of breath from Nathan. His tone was slightly annoyed. “Adam, I have never even held Celine’s hand. How could I possibly have had a relationship with her?” He added, “Adam, Celine is a good girl. I respect her very much. I hope you will treat her well.”

No, it had never been Nathan. He had assumed wrong from the start. So, that day, when she had an allergic reaction to the birth control pills and fainted in the infirmary, the hickeys that covered her skin weren’t from Nathan but from him. He had been wrong all along. They had been from him. It had always been him. It wasn’t a dream. It had really happened. That night, he had taken her virginity.

Adam placed his hands on his hips as his muscular chest heaved. “Look at what you’ve done.”