Both Adam and Mary had asked Larry to stay for dinner. Larry smiled shyly. “In that case, I’ll gladly accept.”

Celine cut him off. “He won’t be staying for dinner.”

Larry froze and looked at Celine. Celine returned his gaze. “You’ve just been released from prison. Don’t ever come back.”

Her words immediately cast a tense atmosphere over the room. Mary looked at Larry in surprise. “You’ve been in prison? What for?”

Celine’s expression hardened. “Yes, for ten years.”

Mary gasped. “What did you go to prison for?”

Larry shifted his gaze to Celine. “You can ask Celine if you’re curious. She knows better than anyone.” He threw the question back to Celine, wanting to see if she would reveal the truth about his imprisonment. Celine saw through his intentions but said nothing.

Mary quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “To be able to raise such a wonderful daughter like Celine shows you can’t be that bad of a person. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as you’ve learned from them.”

Seeing that Celine remained silent, Larry’s smile grew smug. “In that case, I won’t stay for dinner. But I’d like to have a private word with you, Mr. Alvarez. Shall we?” Celine wanted to protest, but Adam squeezed her shoulder lightly and replied, “Sure, let’s go to the study.”

Larry followed Adam into the study. The sleek, monochromatic decor exuded elegance. Every corner of the study reflected the Alvarez family’s wealth, leaving Larry in awe. Despite his resentment toward Celine, Larry wasn’t entirely lying earlier. He had spent the past ten years in prison thinking about her every single day. Celine had betrayed him—she had blacked his eye and sent him to jail—he could never forget that. And now, she had married into such a wealthy family and was living a good life. But she would never escape him, no matter what.

Larry turned to Adam with a sly smile. “Mr. Alvarez, Celine grew up in the countryside and didn’t even receive a proper education. I know marrying into your family is beyond her…”

Adam’s dark gaze settled on Larry. “No, she’s perfect.”

Larry was caught off guard.

Adam continued, “Is that all you wanted to say?”

Larry met his gaze and felt a chill run down his spine. Adam’s eyes were sharp and unreadable, carrying an air of danger that made him feel as though he were being dissected.

He forced a laugh. “Mr. Alvarez, I just got out of prison, and I’m a little short on money. I was wondering if you could…”

Adam cocked an eyebrow. “You want money?”

Larry shifted uncomfortably under Adam’s piercing gaze but shamelessly replied, “Yes, Mr. Alvarez. After all, I’m Celine’s adoptive father. It’s only right for you to give me some money as a show of respect, right?”

Adam leaned back in his chair. “Sure. How much do you want?”