### Chapter 8 Celine had made a name for herself as Adam’s legendary junior, yet she had chosen to turn down his request to reconnect. As Leo sipped his coffee, he caught sight of Adam’s phone and was taken aback. “What? Did someone really just reject Mr. Alvarez’s friend request?” he thought, his eyebrows raising in disbelief. “Mr. Alvarez, your junior is something else,” Leo quipped, bemusement dancing in his eyes. Adam felt a surge of frustration; of all people, Celine was not the one to play coy. Leo's brow furrowed slightly after taking a sip. “Is the coffee not to your liking, Mr. Alvarez? Should I fetch another cup?” Adam suddenly found himself reminiscing about the perfect coffee Celine used to brew for him—just how he liked it. His expression remained stoic as he replied, “Write an eight-figure check. That’s my divorce settlement for Celine. She claims she wants a clean break, but I don’t buy it. This is just a game to extract more money from me. After all, a woman like her, from the countryside, who dropped out of school at 16, surely can’t stand on her own two feet.” Adam’s mind raced. This check would bail her out and sweep the past three years of their lives away. After this financial transaction, they would owe nothing to one another. “Understood, Mr. Alvarez,” Leo nodded, but before he could say more, his phone rang. He answered quickly, and a smile burst on his face. “Mr. Alvarez, I’ve got fantastic news! Dr. Chad has agreed to take on the heart surgery for Ms. Tate!” Dr. Chad was a legend in the medical field, known for her miraculous skills. She had practically become a ghost, vanishing three years ago without a trace, and now she was back. Carly had suffered from a heart condition since childhood, frequently hospitalized but never truly healed. Adam’s connections and resources had finally ushered Dr. Chad back into the light to treat Carly’s affliction. As the news sank in, a sense of relief washed over Adam, a faint smile flirting with the corners of his lips. Carly was finally going to get the care she desperately needed. The following day, as they arrived at Haven Hospital, a surge of activity swept the lobby. A phalanx of bodyguards in sharp black suits swept through the throng, clearing a path for Adam and Carly, who looked fragile yet dignified. Whispers cascaded through the crowd like a summer breeze. “What’s happening?” a voice piped up. “Isn’t that Carly Tate, a.k.a. Scarlet Rose, the prima ballerina? She felt unwell during her performance, and Mr. Alvarez brought her in for treatment!” “No wonder there’s such a scene,” one young woman gushed. Celine stood transfixed, not anticipating seeing Adam and Carly here at the hospital. “Look, it’s Mr. Alvarez and Carly!” someone exclaimed, pulling her out of her thoughts. Celine’s heart raced as she caught sight of Adam—tall, strikingly handsome in his tailored black suit, exuding elegance and authority. He held Carly close, effortlessly radiating confidence as he moved through the crowd, drawing attention like a magnet. The young women around them were practically swooning. “Wow, Mr. Alvarez is so handsome! He is the true definition of a gentleman!” one dreamily noted. Others chimed in, “And Carly is so beautiful, flawless skin, the grace of a dancer. Together, they’re a dream!” Celine felt a pang of jealousy and sadness watching Adam’s unyielding focus on Carly. His heart appeared to belong solely to her, while she remained just a ghost from their shared past. She inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself, and pulled up her phone to check the room number for her appointment. Upon arriving at VIP Room 109, she found Adam, Carly, Hayden, and Lucy gathered. Carly sat on the bed, flanked by Hayden and Lucy, who fawned over her like proud parents, exuding warmth and love as if she were a little princess. “Oh, Carly, this is such wonderful news! Mr. Alvarez has arranged for Dr. Chad to treat you!” Hayden beamed. Lucy’s eyes glistened with tears. “My poor Carly, you’ve endured so much. Soon, Dr. Chad will make you healthy again, and you’ll be able to marry Mr.—” Carly shot sweet looks toward Adam, who stood tall beside her, gently brushing her hair back with a tender touch. The whole scene radiated warmth and familial love, resembling a picture-perfect family portrait. Celine stood frozen at the door, the realization crashing over her like a wave. The heart surgery Perry arranged for her was indeed intended for Carly. Witnessing their idyllic family unit made her heart heavy with unspoken emotions; tears brimmed in her eyes. Suddenly, Adam’s gaze snapped toward her, as though he could feel her presence. His sharp, icy eyes locked onto her in an instant. “What are you doing here?” he demanded coldly, his voice dangerously low. “Celine, are you following me?” Celine felt her heart race; she shook her head fervently. “No, I'm not—” But the moment was interrupted as Hayden and Lucy noticed her too. “Celine, what are you doing here?” Hayden chastised, his tone firm. “We’ve brought in the renowned Dr. Chad. Must you create a scene?” Carly merely shot her a fleeting glance, her expression haughty, dismissing Celine without a word. Adam stepped forward, towering over her, seizing her slender arm and drawing her close. “Celine, are you tired of playing hard to get? Are you stalking me now? Enough is enough. Get out of here!” His harsh words cut through the air, leaving Celine reeling, an unwelcome specter in a story that wasn’t hers anymore.