Mary paused before smiling quickly and said, “Alright, Celine. You go ahead and apany your friend. Come back to have dinner with me when you save time.”

“Okay, Grandina.”

With that, the two of them ended the bcall/b.

.

Mary turned to look at Adam, who was still reading the business newspaper with no expression on his face.

She asked, “bAdam/b, did you have a fight with Celine?–

He kept his eyes on the paper and answered, “bNo /b”

She chuckled and said, “Do you know this friend of hers? Is it a man or a bwoman/b?”

He didn’t respond. So, she reached out and snatched the newspaper from his hands and remarked, “Do you even realize you’re holding the paper upside down?” Only then did Adam notice that the paper was indeed upside down. He pressed his thin lips together

Mary sighed and stood up. She said, “I know you’ve always been tangled up with Carly, but no one will wait for you forever. When bCeline /bhas had enough of being disappointed, she’ll leave.

“A woman as good as her won’tck admirers. Once she walks away with someone else, don’te crying about it.”

Alfred walked over and said, “Mrs. Alvarez bSenior/b, is Mrs. Alvarez back? Dinner is ready.”

“Celine isn’ting. I’m not eating anymore, Mary replied and headed upstairs balone/b.

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Alfred tumed bto /bAdam and said, “Mr. Alvarez, why isn’t Mrs. Alvarezing? Ever since she started school, she hasn’t visited.

Mrs. Alvarez Senior talks about her every day. Without her here, the house feels so lifeless. Mrs. Alvarez Senior hasn’t smiled in a long time ”

He then sighed and left as well.

Adam sat alone on the sofa. He reached up to loosen his tie, his face clouded and dark. He pulled out his phone and opened Celine’s Whatsapp With his long fingers, he typed out a single line. It bread/b, “Why aren’t youing?

After some thought, be deleted the message. He bwas /bthe one who had driven her out of Alvarez Residenceb. /bOf course, she wouldn’t retur. After pping him, she had been bstaying /bby Nathan’s side ever since.

Forget it.

Nathan’s injuries were nearly healedb, /bband /bhe would soon be discharged.

That day, Celine returned to the women’s hostel at Yorhine University. A new student, named bNikki /bBamett, had joined the dorm.

She came from a poor family. Her father was an alcoholic and a gambler while her younger brother bwas /bstill in school. Thus, her family had a hard time making ends

ineet.

She was a pure–looking and pretty woman. She was a student in the performing arts program, and her bdream /bwas to be a star, e hertate.

kout a bag of homemade snacks and offered them to Celline and Hailey.

She took out a

earning lots of money to change

some cooldes m

made bu

by my mom. We don’t have much money, so all bI /bcan share are these home

homemade cookies. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Celine and Halley, these are some

Celine and Halley, of course, didn’t mind. Hailey took a bite of the cookie and eximed, “Nikki, it’s so crunchy! This is delicious.”

Nildd then looked at Celine with anticipation, the smile on her face bright but reserved

Celine tasted one and nodded. “Nikkib, /byour mom’s baking is really good

Nikkie finally grinned and said, “I’m d you like it. I’m heading to the As Hotel tonight because I’m working as a waitress there. I’ll see byou /ballter.”

with that, she picked up her bag and left. Halley also needed to go to ss, so she left shortly after

Celine was sitting alone in her chair when bher /bphone rang It was from Tracy. She pressed bthe /banswer button, and Tracy’s cheerful voice bcame /bthrough immediately. “Celineb, /bI’ve got great news! I met Dr. Cl”

Upon bhearing /bthis, Celine was at a

talous for words.

love with me at

Tracy was brimming with excitement as she continued, b“/bTums out, the legendary Dr. Cwith unparalleled medical skills is a man! Celine, he fell in lov first sight, and I’m dating him now!”