### Chapter 6 Benjamin's expression darkened as he discovered the shocking truth: Celine had dropped out of school at just sixteen years old. In his circle, Carly was revered not merely for her striking beauty but also for her sharp intellect; she had graduated from a prestigious university, a rarity that set her apart in the opulent hierarchy of Mercity. To Benjamin, she epitomized the ideal match for Adam—a flawless combination of looks and brains. But now, the revelation about Celine shattered any remnants of goodwill he had nurtured for her in the past. “Celine, you seriously dropped out at sixteen?” Benjamin’s voice dripped with disdain, his incredulous tone slicing through the air. Carly, ever composed, cast him a sidelong glance, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Well, you’re right," she replied coolly. Tegin, standing beside her, scoffed with disdain, “What an amusing coincidence. Mom also dropped out at sixteen. But unlike you, she’s the real deal. At that age, she earned her double master’s degrees from Harvard. She made history! You, on the other hand, probably didn’t even complete high school.” Carly's gaze was filled with haughty superiority, as if she were surveying Celine from a lofty perch. Tall and handsome, Adam remained silent, the cool, fluorescent lights highlighting his chiseled features as he scrutinized Celine. For three long years, she had devoted herself entirely to him, an existence that rendered her educational ambitions moot. However, Celine met his contemptuous gaze with surprising confidence. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled with life as she offered a delicate smile. “Yes, such a coincidence,” she replied, her calmness striking a chord in Adam’s chest. He found himself inexplicably drawn to the luminescence of her eyes, which radiated a sincerity that felt almost magnetic. "Celine!" A sudden, furious voice broke the tension as Robin dashed onto the scene, her expression a storm of indignation. “Carly, are you bullying Celine again?” Carly lifted her chin, self-assured in her posturing. “We’re not bullying her. We’re merely trying to help her find a job.” Robin’s disbelief was palpable. “Helping her? Celine doesn’t even have a degree, let alone a high school diploma!” Carly continued, feigning concern, “Well, we’ll do our best to find her a good position.” Robin let out a scoff, her patience waning. “Do you even know who Celine really is?” Before she could say more, Celine grasped Robin's arm firmly, halting her. “Robin, let’s go!” Robin swallowed her retort but shot Carly a scathing look. “You’ll get what’s coming to you one day.” With that, they turned and strode away, leaving a trail of tension in their wake. Benjamin’s frustration boiled over. “What’s her deal? She dropped out at sixteen and has the audacity to act like this? If I were her, I’d be too ashamed to even show my face.” Carly remained unfazed, her gaze still locked on Celine as if her stature had been diminished by the mere existence of the other woman. “Celine doesn’t meet our standards,” she declared with a smirk that barely concealed her superiority. “Forget it. Ignorance is bliss.” Turning to Adam, Benjamin urged, “You should really consider divorcing Celine. You deserve someone better.” Adam maintained his cool demeanor, his eyes still on Carly, absorbing the tension in the air. “Let’s go,” he replied simply as Carly nodded, her expression filled with determination. Addressing Celine would only elevate her status in their eyes, and that was the last thing Carly wanted. Together, Benjamin and Carly followed Adam’s lead as they exited the building. Upon stepping outside, Adam spotted a familiar face—a figure who commanded respect: Samuel Peyton, the President of Halland University. With a sense of authority, Adam approached him. “Mr. Peyton, what brings you to Mercity?” Carly’s admiration for Samuel was evident. Despite her own academic prowess, she had never tasted the privilege of attending an institution of Halland's caliber. “I’m here for a seminar,” Samuel replied, a grin brightening his features. “Funny coincidence, your junior is also in Mercity.” “My junior?” Adam raised an eyebrow curiously. Samuel chuckled lightly. “We’ve had big names at Harvard. First, there’s you, Adam, and then there’s your junior. Just like you, she graduated with double degrees at sixteen. She’s incredibly brilliant—too bad you’re a few years apart, or you might have known her.” Benjamin’s interest piqued. “Wow, this junior of yours sounds impressive. How does she compare to you?” Samuel, ever modest, simply smiled and glanced at Adam. “Equally matched,” he said cryptically. Intrigue sparked in Adam; he had never before encountered a woman who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him intellectually. Meanwhile, Carly felt a swirl of jealousy and curiosity boiling within her, fueled by the prospect of this extraordinary junior. Samuel pulled out his phone and said, “Mr. Ahares, we sent you your junior's number. You should reach out to her. As her senior, you ought to look out for her.” Adam nodded, an undercurrent of interest threading through his demeanor. “Understood, Mr. Peyton.” As Samuel departed, Benjamin practically bounced on his heels. “Adam, check WhatsApp now! I want to see what she looks like.” Adam retrieved his phone and swiftly searched for the number Samuel had provided. The display revealed a solitary letter—C—with a blank profile picture. Benjamin scrunched his brow. “What does the C stand for?” Adam shrugged, mystified yet intrigued, and added the contact to his list. Carly, observing their growing fascination with this enigmatic junior, felt irritation prick at her heart. Just then, a sleek Rolls-Royce rolled up, and Adam’s personal assistant, Leo Zimes, emerged. Carly seized the opportunity to interrupt the ongoing discussion. “Adam, the car’s here. Let’s go.” Benjamin waved goodbye. “Adam, Carly, see you later!” As the Rolls-Royce glided effortlessly down the avenue, the opulent interior cocooned Adam and Carly in a world far removed from their earlier confrontation. Leo glanced into the rearview mirror and asked, “Where to, Mr. Ahares?” Adam replied simply, “Home.” As they navigated through the vibrant, neon-lit city that danced outside the windows, illuminating Adam's striking, enigmatic visage, a soft affection flickered in Carly’s gaze. “Adam, what’s going on between you and Celine? Don’t tell me you’re actually starting to find her attractive, that you desire more from her," Carly pressed, an undercurrent of concern in her voice. Adam shot her a dispassionate glare, his tone lazy yet firm. “She’s my wife. Whatever exists between us is normal. Didn’t you insist I marry her?” Carly’s face tightened. She knew he still harbored resentment over the choices made three years ago—the choices that had forced her to step aside, leaving Celine in her place. “Adam, Celine insisted on marrying you. I couldn’t simply stand in her way.” His cold gaze pierced her, and he replied, “Do you honestly believe that sounds convincing?” Carly’s lower lip trembled, her frustration palpable. “Fine, I left you three years ago. If you can’t forgive me, maybe we should just break up. You don’t have to stay with me.” At that moment, Celine interrupted, her voice rising with urgency. “Adam, stop the car!” She moved to open the door, but Adam’s hand reached out decisively, gripping her wrist with surprising strength and pulling her back toward him. “Carly, you’re just taking advantage of me because you know how indulgent I can be,” he said, a mixture of exasperation and unexpected affection in his tone. The night outside whirled on, possessing secrets yet to be unraveled, as the intricate tapestry of their lives continued to weave itself together in unexpected ways.