The Divorce Prescription

Chapter 1

Celine Tate found out her husband, Adam Alvarez, was cheating on her.

The other woman was a college student.

Today was Adam's birthday. Celine had spent the whole day preparing a special dinner for him. Just then, his forgotten phone buzzed with a text.

She picked it up and saw a message from the college student. "I fell while grabbing the cake. It hurts so much… Sobs…"

Attached was a photo—no face, just legs.

The woman wore pulled-up white socks with black round-toed shoes. She pulled up her blue-and-white skirt just enough to reveal her long, flawless legs.

Her fair knees were visibly reddened from the fall. The youthful vibrancy of her figure, paired with her coy words, carried an air of forbidden allure.

Rumor had it that wealthy businessmen tend to favor this type when choosing a lover.

Celine's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white.

Soon, another message came. "Mr. Alvarez, meet me at Elysian Hotel tonight. I want to celebrate your birthday."

It was Adam's birthday, and his mistress had planned a celebration for him.

Grabbing her handbag, Celine headed straight for Elysian Hotel. She had to see this woman with her own eyes.

…

When Celine arrived at the hotel, she was ready to storm in.

But before she could, she spotted her parents, Hayden Tate and Lucy Garcia. Shocked, she approached them. "Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?"

The two froze for a moment before exchanging glances. Their eyes flickered as they said, "Oh, Celine, your sister's back from abroad. We came here to drop her off."

Carly Tate?

Through the gleaming floor-to-ceiling window, Celine spotted Carly inside. She froze instantly.

Inside, Carly was wearing the same blue-and-white skirt from the photo. So, the college girl was her sister.

Carly had always been a stunner, hailed as Mercity's "Scarlet Rose". Her legs, in particular, were the stuff of legends. They were the most beautiful in all of Mercity. Men practically worshiped her.

Now, those famous legs had ensnared Adam.

Celine almost laughed at the absurdity of it. She turned to her parents. "So I'm the last to find out."

Hayden's face twisted awkwardly. "Celine, Mr. Alvarez never liked you."

Lucy chimed in, "Exactly. Do you know how many women in Mercity would kill to be with him? Better your sister than some stranger."

Upon hearing that, Celine clenched her fists. "I'm your daughter too!"

With that, she spun on her heels to leave.

Just then, Lucy's voice rang out behind her. "Celine, tell me something. Has Mr. Alvarez ever touched you?"

Celine froze mid-step.

Hayden said sharply, "Don't act like we owe you anything. Back then, Mr. Alvarez and Carly were the It couple in everyone's eyes. We only asked you to marry him on Carly's behalf after he fell into a coma from the car accident."

Lucy gave Celine a disdainful once-over. "Look at yourself, Celine. Three years as a housewife, running around after your husband. Meanwhile, Carly's a lead ballerina now—a true swan. You? You're just a frumpy little duckling. Be reasonable and give Mr. Alvarez back to Carly."

Those words felt like a knife to Celine's heart. She blinked back her tears and turned to walk away.

…

By the time Celine returned to the villa, it was already dark. She had given the housekeeper, Sofia Dotson, the day off. The house was empty, with no lights on, leaving it cold and desolate.

Celine sat alone at the dining table in the darkness.

The table was set with a feast, but the food had long gone cold. Her homemade cake sat untouched, with the words "Happy Birthday, honey" scrawled across it.

Celine stared at it, her eyes stinging. It all felt like a cruel joke, just like her life.

Adam and Carly had always been the It couple in their circle. Everyone knew that Carly, the Scarlet Rose, was Adam's heart and soul. But three years ago, a sudden car accident left Adam in a coma, and Carly vanished without a trace.

The Tate family had brought Celine from the countryside and forced her to marry the comatose Adam.

When she found out that the man lying in that hospital bed was Adam—the man she had always loved—she didn't hesitate. She married him without a second thought.

After the wedding, Adam remained in a coma for three years. During that time, Celine took care of him tirelessly, never leaving his side. She gave up going out and socializing. Her sole focus was on his recovery.

She became a housewife dedicated to nothing but him. In the end, her devotion brought him back to life.

Celine lit the candles on the cake with a flick of the lighter.

The dim glow flickered, casting her reflection in the mirror in front of her. She looked at herself—the housewife in her dull black-and-white dress. She was lifeless, boring, and unremarkable.

Meanwhile, Carly had flourished into a lead ballerina. She was young, vibrant, and beautiful.

Celine was the ugly duckling, while Carly was the swan.

After waking, Adam had abandoned the ugly duckling and returned to the swan.

So, her sacrifice for the last three years had been for nothing.

Adam didn't love her, but she loved him with all her heart.

It was said that the one who fell in love first was always the loser in the relationship. And today, Adam had made her lose everything.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she blew out the candles. The house plunged back into darkness.

Just then, headlights pierced the night as Adam's Rolls-Royce Phantom sped up the driveway and parked on the driveway.

Celine's heart skipped a beat. He was back. She had thought he wouldn't return home tonight.

Soon, the villa's front door swung open. A tall, handsome figure stepped into view, bringing with him the chill of the night air. Adam was home.

The Alvarez family had long been royalty in Mercity. Adam, the heir to the Alvarez family, had been a business prodigy since childhood.

By 16, he had earned dual master's degrees from the prestigious Haffard University. By the time he reached adulthood, his first company had made waves on Finance Street. Now, he sat at the helm of Alvarez Group, crowned as Mercity's wealthiest man.

Adam strode in with his long legs. His voice was low and pleasant but distant. "Why didn't you turn on the lights?"

With a flick of his hand, he turned on the wall light.

The harsh light made Celine squint. When she opened her eyes again, she looked at Adam.

He was wearing a hand-tailored black suit, every inch the picture of perfection. His perfect proportions and regal air made him the object of desire for many women.

Celine glanced at him. "It's your birthday."

Adam's face was a mask of indifference. His eyes lazily swept over the table. "Don't waste your time. I don't celebrate birthdays."

Celine sneered and asked, "You don't celebrate birthdays, or you just don't want to celebrate it with me?"

Adam barely spared her a glance, as if he didn't want to waste time on her. "Think whatever you want."

Without another word, he turned and started toward the stairs.

This had always been their dynamic. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get close to him.

Celine stood up and. Looking at his indifferent back, she said, "Today is your birthday. I'd like to give you a birthday gift."

Adam didn't stop or turn to look at her. "I don't need it."

Celine smiled again. "Let's get a divorce, Adam."

Adam had already placed one foot on the stairs when he suddenly paused. He spun on his heel, his deep eyes locking onto her.

Chapter 2

Celine looked at Adam. Her voice was soft but unwavering as she repeated, "Let's get a divorce, Adam. Do you like this birthday gift?"

Adam's expression remained indifferent. "Are you suddenly asking for a divorce because I didn't spend my birthday with you?"

"Carly's back, isn't she?" Celine asked.

At the mention of Carly, Adam's lips curled into a sneer. He stepped toward Celine with long strides. "Are you bothered by her?"

As the youngest business mogul in Mercity, Adam exuded a powerful presence built from his wealth, status, and influence. As he advanced toward her, Celine instinctively took a step back. Her delicate back hit the wall.

At that moment, the world around her seemed to darken. Adam had already closed the distance, placing one hand against the wall beside her, trapping her between his solid chest and the wall.

He looked down at her with a mocking smile. "Everyone in Mercity knows that Carly is the one I'm going to marry. Didn't you know that when you schemed to become my wife? You didn't mind back then, so why are you bothered now?"

Celine's face turned pale.

Yes, Adam was supposed to marry Carly. If it weren't for the accident, she would never have had the chance to marry him.

She would never forget the day he woke up. When he saw it was Celine beside him, the disappointment and coldness in his eyes were unmistakable.

Since then, they had slept in separate rooms, and he had never touched her.

He loved Carly.

Celine had always known that, but…

She looked deeply at Adam's face. Slowly, it began to merge with the image of the youthful boy he had once been.

"Adam, do you really not remember me?" Celine thought.

It seemed that only she had stayed in the past.

Never mind. She would take these three years as her fulfilling her misguided love.

Celine pushed down the bitterness and pain in her heart. "Adam, let's end this platonic marriage."

Adam suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Platonic?" His deep voice was full of mockery.

He reached out and cupped her chin. His thumb brushed over her soft lips, pressing against them in an almost teasing motion. "So that's why you want a divorce? You want to have sex?"

Celine's face flushed bright red, like a tomato.

That wasn't what she meant.

Now, his thumb was pressed on her crimson lips, rubbing with a malicious yet seductive force. Celine hadn't expected such a flirtatious side from a man so hot and refined.

He was actually playing with her lips with his finger.

Adam had never been this close to Celine before. She always hid behind those oversized black-framed glasses, wearing plain clothes, making herself look like an older woman.

But up close, Adam noticed how small her face was. Beneath those glasses, her features were delicate and striking, and those eyes were mesmerizing.

Her lips were soft, too.

Where his finger pressed, the red faded for a moment, then returned with a slight bounce. Her lips were not just soft but tender as well. It was an enticing sight that made him want to kiss her.

Adam's eyes darkened. "I didn't expect you to have such strong desires. Do you long for a man in you?"

Suddenly, a loud slap echoed in the villa. Celine had slapped him hard across the face.

Adam's head jerked to the side.

Celine's fingers trembled with anger. She had been too humble in her love, allowing her heart to be trampled. How dare he humiliate her like this?

Furious, she said, "I know you've never let go of Carly. Now I'll make it easier for you. I'll return the position as Mrs. Alvarez to her!"

Adam's expression instantly turned icy, like a sheet of frost had fallen over his handsome face. He had never been slapped before—not by anyone.

He stared at her coldly. "Celine, you thought you could just marry me when you wanted and divorce me when you felt like it? What do you take me for?"

Celine sneered. "A plaything, of course."

Adam couldn't believe what he heard.

Celine fought back the pain in her heart and lied, "You're just a plaything I took from Carly. Now I'm tired of playing with you. I want to throw you away."

Adam's expression grew darker. "Fine, Celine. You want a divorce? Alright. But don't come crawling back to me, begging to get back together!"

With that, he stormed upstairs and slammed the door to his study.

Celine seemed to lose all her strength. Her delicate body slowly slid down the wall. She crouched on the carpet, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I won't love you anymore, Adam," she swore in her mind.

…

The next morning, Sofia entered Adam's study.

Adam sat at his desk, reviewing documents. He was well-known for being a workaholic.

"Mr. Alvarez," Sofia called out.

Adam didn't look up. Sofia could tell that he was in a bad mood. The air around him seemed to freeze.

She carefully placed a cup of coffee on the table. "Mr. Alvarez, Mrs. Alvarez made this cup of coffee for you."

Adam's hand holding the pen faltered. The cold expression on his face softened slightly.

Was Celine trying to make peace?

To be fair, she was a good wife. She cooked according to his preferences, hand-washed his clothes, and took care of every detail of his daily life.

Adam picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip.

Celine definitely made this. It was exactly how he liked it.

Still, he was angry. She had slapped him last night, and that anger would not be easily soothed. A cup of coffee wasn't going to fix this.

Adam asked, "Did Celine realize her mistake?"

Sofia looked at him with a strange look. "…Mrs. Alvarez has left."

Adam froze, his eyes snapping up to meet Sofia's.

Just then, she took something out. "She left with her suitcase, Mr. Alvarez. She asked me to give this to you before she left."

As Adam took the paper and opened it, the words "Divorce Agreement" jumped out at him.

Adam was left speechless. He had thought she was trying to make peace.

Sofia hesitated. "Mrs. Alvarez said you should finish the coffee and sign the papers as soon as possible."

Adam glared at the cup of coffee. "Throw it out! All of it!"

Sofia thought he was enjoying the coffee earlier. Why didn't he like it anymore?

However, she didn't dare voice her thoughts. She quickly grabbed the coffee and left the room.

Adam's face darkened. He scanned the divorce agreement and realized Celine agreed to leave with nothing—no alimony, no property.

He sneered bitterly. She certainly had some nerve. She didn't want a single dime from him. What could a country girl like her possibly expect to live on without money?

He remembered how, three years ago, she had done everything she could to become his wife. Wasn't it all about the money?

Then his gaze fell on the reason for the divorce written by Celine in neat handwriting. "The husband's health does not allow him to fulfill his marital duties."

Adam was rendered speechless. His face flushed with rage.

This damned woman!

He grabbed his phone and immediately dialed Celine's number.

The phone rang a few times before her clear, calm voice came through. "Hello?"

Chapter 3

Adam pressed his thin lips into a hard line. "Celine Tate, get back here now!"

Celine chuckled. "You want me to come back just because you say so? We're divorced, Adam. I'm not going to put up with you anymore."

Adam gritted his teeth. "I'm giving you one more chance to rewrite the reason for the divorce."

Celine's smile widened. "Is there something wrong with what I wrote? You've been awake for half a year now, but in all this time, you haven't even held my hand.

"You were in a coma for three years. Although your health seems fine now, I seriously doubt your manhood is working. You should see a doctor. I sincerely hope you can regain your masculinity soon!"

Adam was speechless. The veins on his forehead were visibly pulsing.

This woman had really lost it!

"I'll show you how capable I am in bed one day, Celine Tate!" he gritted out.

"Sorry, you don't have that chance anymore."

"Celine!"

A couple of beeps sounded, and the call was abruptly disconnected.

Adam seethed in rage. But before he could vent, all he heard was the busy tone.

Celine Tate!

…

Celine had already arrived at her best friend, Robin Smith's apartment.

When she hung up, Robin burst into laughter and gave her a thumbs-up. "That was perfect, Celine! He's probably so mad right now he might burst a vein."

Celine felt that it was because she had been too humble in the past that he had come to see himself as so superior.

People should love themselves before loving others. It was crucial to prioritize one's happiness.

Robin added, "When Carly found out Mr. Alvarez was in a coma three years ago, she left him right away. But now that he's awake, he's going after her again. Honestly, it's better to be rid of a man like him."

Celine unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it into her mouth. The sweet taste seemed to mask the bitterness in her heart. "Robin, that's the difference between being loved and unloved."

The one who was loved could act without fear, while the one who was unloved always remained cautious and insecure.

Robin glanced at Celine, who had already eaten a whole bunch of candies. She pulled Celine to her feet. "Cheer up, Celine! When you let go of one tree, you'll realize you've gained a whole forest. I'll hire eight escorts and throw you a singles' party tonight!"

Celine laughed, pressing her forehead.

At that moment, Robin reached up and took off Celine's black-framed glasses. She tossed them straight into the trash.

"My glasses!" Celine went to retrieve them.

Robin stopped her. "Celine, you're too used to wearing those glasses from all your academic work. You should learn from Carly and dress yourself up beautifully."

Celine remembered how her parents called her an ugly duckling while Carly was the swan.

It seemed that it wasn't just her parents who thought so. Adam probably saw her as an ugly duckling too.

Robin pulled Celine out the door. "Come on. I'm taking you out for a full makeover—hair, nails, outfit, everything. I want Adam and the others to open their eyes and see just how beautiful you are!"

As they were leaving, Robin suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Celine, you really don't want any of Mr. Alvarez's money?"

"I have my own money," Celine replied.

"Well, then you're leaving that money to Carly. She'll probably thank you."

Celine was rendered speechless.

"Where's the card Mr. Alvarez gave you?"

Adam had always been generous and had given Celine a gold-plated black card, but she'd never used it.

Celine pulled the card out of her purse and said with a wink, "Mr. Alvarez can foot the bill for our shopping today."

…

Club 1996 had long been the playground for the wealthy elite of Mercity, where the rich heirs and socialites spent their money without a second thought.

That night, the DJ kept the music going, and the crowd danced wildly.

In one of the luxurious booths, Adam sat in the center, wearing a black shirt and black pants. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his muscular forearms and a watch worth millions. He looked every bit the hot, aristocratic figure that had women in the club constantly looking his way.

Sitting beside him was his good friend, Benjamin Goodwin—the heir to the Goodwin family—along with a few other trust fund babies.

Benjamin laughed loudly. "What's this I hear, Adam? Celine wants a divorce?"

The others joined in the laughter.

"Who doesn't know how much Celine is in love with you, Mr. Alvarez? She even wanted to marry you when you were in a coma," one of them said. "There's no way she'd leave you now!"

"We should make a bet to see how many days Celine can resist before reaching out to Mr. Alvarez," another chimed in.

Benjamin said, "I bet she won't even last a day. She'll probably send Adam a message any minute now. Haha!"

Adam's face, however, was shadowed and stern, showing clear signs of anger. He pulled out his phone and opened his chat with Celine.

The last message was from the night before. Celine had sent him a picture of a bowl of chicken bone broth with the message, "Honey, even though your bone density is fine now, you still need to drink more chicken bone broth. Remember to come home early."

As he scrolled up, there were daily messages from Celine. He had never replied. Not once.

But tonight, there was nothing from her, and Adam felt a surge of frustration in his chest.

Just then, a notification pinged, signaling the arrival of a new message.

Benjamin immediately chimed in, "I knew it! Celine's messaging Adam right now!"

The notification pinged repeatedly as several messages came through in quick succession.

Everyone burst out laughing. "I knew Celine couldn't hold back, but I didn't expect her to be so eager."

Benjamin urged, "Adam, quick, check what she's saying. She must be crying and begging you to get back together with her."

Adam's eyes twitched. She had messaged him?

If she wanted to make peace, why all that hostility earlier? Wasn't she the one acting tough this morning?

The moment Adam opened the message, he froze.

Benjamin read it aloud. "Dear VVIP, your card ending in 0975 has been charged 800 dollars at Dazzling Nails."

Everyone went silent, staring in confusion.

Adam scrolled up and saw a series of transaction messages.

Celine had spent two thousand dollars at Urban Glow Salon, 86 thousand dollars at Chanel, and 24 thousand dollars at Louis Vuitton.

There were no messages asking for reconciliation, just notifications of her spending.

The group was dumbfounded. It felt like Celine had slapped them all across the face.

Adam's face darkened as he slammed his phone onto the table. It wasn't the money that bothered him. It was that she had gone straight to spend his money after their divorce.

The woman who had been so obedient and dependent on him for the past three years suddenly seemed to have shown her true colors.

Benjamin muttered, "What's she playing at, Adam? She's getting her nails and hair done and went shopping for clothes. Is she trying to dress up like Carly?"

"Carly's the Scarlet Rose of Mercity, while Celine is just some country bumpkin. No matter how hard she tries, she'll never match up to her."

"A swan is a swan, and an ugly duckling will forever be an ugly duckling. It will never turn into a swan."

The group continued laughing at Celine.

At that moment, a commotion broke out in the club. Everyone's attention was focused on one place.

Someone gasped, "You guys, look! An angel!"

Chapter 4

Celine had arrived.

After a full day of splurging at the mall, Robin whisked her off to Club 1996 for the ultimate single-woman celebration.

What Celine didn't expect was to run into Adam and his group. Naturally, she also heard their mocking remarks about her.

She recognized the people in the luxurious booth. They were part of Adam's social circle. Benjamin, in particular, was one of Adam's closest friends.

Back when Adam and Carly had their high-profile romance, everyone in the group adored Carly. Benjamin even treated her like Adam's wife.

In the past three years, Celine had never been able to integrate into their group. They made no effort to hide their disdain for her.

They'd slapped labels on her like "desperate replacement bride", "ugly duckling", and "country bumpkin".

When a man didn't love her partner, his friends wouldn't respect her either.

Robin's temper flared immediately. "I'm going to tear their smug faces off!" She started rolling up her sleeves.

Celine grabbed her arm firmly. "Let it go, Robin. I'm divorced now. They're not worth the energy."

Noticing Celine's calm and indifferent demeanor, Robin managed to rein in her frustration. As more and more eyes turned to Celine, calling her an angel, Robin's mood brightened. "Let's go. Time for a singles party!"

Robin marched them to a luxury booth on the other side of the club. She waved her hand dramatically. "Bring me all your male escorts!"

Back at Adam's booth, Benjamin and the other scions were still mocking Celine when they suddenly felt a sharp, icy gaze land on them.

They looked up to see Adam at the head of the booth, lazily lifting his sharp eyes to glance at them. His gaze was cold, displeased, and full of warning.

At once, the laughter froze on their faces. None of them dared to say another word about Celine.

Benjamin glanced at Adam. Even though Adam had never spared Celine a second look, she had tirelessly taken care of him for three years. Clearly, Adam still had some shred of sentiment left for her.

Just then, a wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. "Such a beautiful angel!"

Angel? Where?

Benjamin followed everyone's gaze and immediately widened his eyes in surprise. "Holy crap! That really is an angel!"

The others around him were equally mesmerized. "When did an angel arrive in Mercity? And how come we've never seen her before?"

Benjamin tugged at Adam's sleeve. "Adam, look at that angel!"

Adam was no stranger to women. He'd seen all types, from slender to curvy, so he wasn't interested in that "angel".

However, Celine's booth was directly across from his. The moment he looked up, his eyes landed on her.

Celine had ditched her thick-rimmed glasses, shedding her usual dullness and rigidity. Her tiny face was as fair as snow. Her naturally striking features exuded a fresh, otherworldly elegance. With her silky hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked like a living, breathing angel.

Adam's gaze lingered for two full seconds.

Benjamin was clearly thrilled. "What do you think of that angel, Adam?"

One of the scions remarked, "Mr. Alvarez won't be impressed. His type is more of a sweet beauty like Carly, not this cool, angelic vibe."

"Yeah, but check out her legs! Those could definitely compete with Carly's," another added.

Celine, in a rare departure from her usual conservative style, was wearing a chic, short tweed dress that showed off her legs for the first time.

Her legs were perfectly toned, proportionate, and tantalizing. These were the kind of legs that made men's imaginations run wild. They were just as captivating as Carly's.

Adam glanced at the "angel" for two seconds and couldn't shake the feeling that this woman looked strangely familiar. He felt like he had seen her somewhere before.

Just then, a group of male escorts filed into the room, each one tall and hot. They lined up right in front of Celine.

Robin grinned. "Celine, pick eight."

Since Celine was celebrating her newfound freedom from a disastrous marriage, she decided to go all out. "You, you, you… Stay."

Benjamin was counting under his breath. "One, two, three… eight. Did she just pick eight escorts at once?"

One of the scions chimed in, "Why spend the money? All she has to do is ask, and we'd happily volunteer for free."

Laughter erupted around the booth.

At this moment, Adam's phone buzzed again. It was a new transaction message. He picked it up to see what Celine paid for this time.

But this time…

"Dear VVIP, your card ending in 0975 has been charged 500,000 dollars at Club 1996 for eight escorts."

Adam frowned at once. He reread the words "eight escorts" twice before snapping his gaze back toward the angel across the room.

The angel who had just splurged on eight escorts was actually Celine!

Adam was rendered speechless.

Eight escorts surrounded Celine and started pouring drinks for her one after another. "Ladies, let's play a drinking game."

Robin happily replied, "Hell yeah! Let's do it!"

Celine lost the first round. An escort leaned in and held a glass to her lips. "Here, let me help you drink."

She took the drink, but the other escorts weren't having it. "Why him? You drank his drink but not ours? Let us feed you too!"

Celine was feeling a little overwhelmed by the eager attention.

Across the room, Adam's sharp eyes narrowed dangerously. His chiseled jaw tightened as he stood and headed straight for Celine's booth.

Benjamin was taken aback. "Adam! Where are you going?"

Celine was sipping her drink when a strong, defined hand reached over and grabbed her delicate wrist. He lifted her off the couch as easily as if she were a child.

Shocked, she looked up and was met with Adam's handsome face.

Celine froze for a moment, then quickly struggled to pull her wrist free from his grip. "Let go of me, Adam!"

Adam's face was cold as he forcefully dragged her away.

Robin jumped to her feet. "Hey! Adam! What are you doing? Let go of Celine!"

Benjamin and the scions who followed Adam were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief. They all wondered if they were hearing things.

"Celine? The angel is… Celine?"

"Is this the same Celine we've always known? The ugly duckling? She's actually gorgeous?"

Benjamin froze in place as he watched Adam drag the stunning figure away. "Damn… Celine turned into a freaking angel the moment she ditched Adam."

…

Adam's grip on Celine's wrist was unyielding. His strong hand was like an iron shackle. No matter how hard she fought, she couldn't break free. His long strides forced her to stumble along behind him.

"Let go of me, Adam!" she shouted.

Just then, Adam swung his hand, and Celine's delicate back slammed into the cold wall. Her vision went dark as his tall, imposing figure pressed in, trapping her against the wall.

Danger flared in his eyes as he growled, "Do you think I'm dead, Celine Tate? You're actually out here flirting with other men?"

Chapter 5

Celine frowned. "What do you mean by flirting?"

Adam gritted his teeth. "You're dressing like a slut!"

What? A slut?

"You better explain, Adam Alvarez!" Celine snapped.

Adam lowered his gaze, eyeing her short dress. "Your thighs are practically hanging out. Is that how desperate you are for people to look at your legs?"

Sure, her dress was a little on the shorter side, but Robin had chosen the dress for her.

She had said, "You never show your legs, giving Carly the chance to flaunt hers. Tonight, let's show everyone who really has the best legs in Mercity."

Celine raised an eyebrow. "Seems like you were looking at my legs, Mr. Alvarez."

Adam froze.

Celine leaned back against the wall, her posture lazy yet elegant. She slowly lifted her right leg and brushed her crystal heel against his ankle.

Adam stood there in tailored black slacks that highlighted his long legs, exuding an air of cold elegance and restraint.

From his ankle, Celine slowly trailed upward along his calf in a teasing, deliberate motion. It was both a seduction and a provocation.

Adam gave her a cold look. "What are you doing?"

Celine smirked. "Mr. Alvarez, whose legs do you prefer—mine or Carly's?"

Adam's gaze lingered on her, captivated by the delicate features of her face, which radiated an almost ethereal beauty. She looked like an otherworldly angel, yet here she was, boldly tempting him.

He'd noticed her beauty last night, hidden behind those black-framed glasses, but he hadn't expected her to be so striking.

However, there was something familiar about her face.

Celine's bright eyes sparkled with mischief. "Has Carly ever tried to seduce you with her legs, Mr. Alvarez?"

Adam's breath hitched. He leaned closer to look at her. "Celine, are you really such a slut? You think about men all day and even hired eight escorts!"

He avoided answering her question about Carly. That was perhaps the most polite way for a man to protect a woman.

His relationship with Carly had been a grand love story from their youthful, carefree days. Carly must have seduced him at some point. That was the only way to explain why she lingered so vividly in his memory.

Carly was truly blessed to have such a cold-hearted man remain devoted to her for so long. Adam must have never used a word like "slut" to describe her.

Though Celine was smiling, her eyes remained as cold as ice. "Yes, Mr. Alvarez. There's an issue with your manhood. Since you can't satisfy me, I have to go find someone healthy. Let's get divorced already. If one man doesn't work, I'll find another who does."

She said he had issues again! This woman was unbelievable!

Adam gripped her delicate jaw. "Is this some sort of provocation? Are you so desperate to find out if I have issues?"

What?

Celine froze.

Adam leaned in close, his lips hovering near hers with an almost teasing proximity. Yet his words were icy and detached. "Don't kid yourself, Celine. I'll never touch you. The one I love is Carly."

The one he loved was Carly.

He didn't even need to say it. Celine already knew. Still, hearing it stung her heart. It wasn't a sharp pain, but a dull, relentless ache that spread in countless tiny waves.

Just then, a sweet voice rang out. "Adam."

Celine looked up only to see Carly standing there.

Carly, the renowned Scarlet Rose of Mercity, was a beauty with ruby lips and pearly teeth. Years of dance training had given her a graceful, supple figure.

Seeing her, Adam instantly released Celine and strode toward Carly. He lowered his gaze to meet hers. His eyes were filled with a warmth Celine had never seen before. "You're here!"

Carly nodded before glancing at Celine. "And this is?" Carly didn't recognize her at all.

But Celine would never forget Carly.

The truth was, Celine and Carly were neither full nor half-sisters. Hayden wasn't Celine's biological father. He was her stepfather.

Once, Celine had a happy family. Her father, Aaron Tate, and her mother, Lucy Garcia, had been devoted to each other.

Aaron loved her dearly. He would lift her high into the air every day. "My little Celine is going to grow up so happy."

Then, one day, he was gone. His brother, Hayden, moved in with his daughter, Carly, into Aaron's house, and Lucy became Carly's mother as well.

Lucy remarried Celine's uncle. From then on, her affection was directed solely toward Carly, not Celine.

When Carly scored 99 on an exam and Celine scored 100, Lucy punished her. "Why can't you let Carly shine? Do you always have to outdo her?"

When Carly fell ill, her hair was shaved off for chemotherapy. She cried that she looked ugly. Lucy immediately shaved Celine's head. "You need to become ugly with Carly. That way, she'll stop crying."

Night after night, Lucy, Hayden, and Carly would cuddle together, their laughter spilling out into the hallway. Celine would stand outside, crying while clutching the doll that Aaron had bought her. "Mommy, I'm scared."

Eventually, Carly started calling Lucy "Mommy". Lucy was thrilled, but Carly said, "Mommy, you can only have one daughter."

On a rainy day, Lucy drove Celine to the countryside and left her there.

Little Celine chased the car while sobbing. "Don't leave me, Mommy! I'll be a good girl. I'll listen to you. I'll let Carly have everything! I want a hug, Mommy! I'm scared!"

Clutching her doll, she fell heavily into the mud. She watched helplessly as Lucy drove away, disappearing from her sight.

Celine would never forget Carly.

At this moment, Benjamin rushed over. "Carly, she's your sister. She's Celine!"

Carly froze in disbelief. "You're… Celine?"

Celine knew Carly had always looked down on her.

As children, Carly had bested her at every turn. She had always been outstanding. Later, she even dated Adam, the heir to the Alvarez family.

Raised in a life of luxury and affection, Carly became proud and untouchable.

Benjamin was once again stunned by Celine's exquisite beauty. He murmured, "I didn't expect Celine to look this stunning."

Carly's childhood memories of Celine were vague because she had never paid much attention to this unloved sister. But wasn't Celine the ugly duckling from the countryside?

Carly stepped closer. Her gaze swept over Celine with thinly veiled disdain. "Celine, I didn't expect you to doll yourself up like me."

Celine was rendered speechless.

Well, Carly could think whatever she wanted as long as she was happy.

Celine straightened her slender back and smiled without saying a word. The corridor lights cast a soft glow on her delicate, ethereal face. She was no longer the same little Celine from before.

Just then, Carly spoke up. "Celine, I heard you and Adam are divorcing. Can't survive without a man, huh? Resorting to male escorts to fill the void? If I were you, I'd get a job."

Turning to Adam, she added in a condescending tone, "Adam, Celine has taken care of you for so long. You should at least help her find work. Maybe as a housekeeper."

Adam's gaze flickered to Celine.

Benjamin interjected, "Carly, every job requires qualifications. What's Celine's education level?"

Carly seemed to remember something amusing. She raised her chin with a smile and said, "She dropped out of school when she was 16."