Hailey shot a sharp glance at the Tate family members, whose faces were drained of color. Pointing straight at Carly, she exclaimed, "Mr. Alvarez, Carly is a fraud!" Robin stepped forward. "Mr. Alvarez, the most important thing right now is holding Carly accountable." Carly's face turned pale. "Adam... Please, just hearout..." Adam's gaze was cold and unyielding. "Fine. You have one chance. Tellwhy did you pretend to be Celine? Why did you steal her emerald necklace? Why have you been deceivingall these years? Choose your words carefully. If your answer doesn't satisfy me, your entire family will bear the consequences." A wave of fear washed over the Tate family.
Sonia's knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed. They couldn't afford to go down with Carly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn desperation, Carly lunged forward, clutching Adam's sleeve. "Adam, I'm sorry! I was wrong! Yes, I pretended to be Celine, but I only did it because I love you! I love you so much. That's why I—" Before she could finish, Adam shoved her away without hesitation.
"Your so-called love means nothing to me." Carly let out a sharp cry as she stumbled and crashed to the floor.
Lucy and Hayden rushed to her side. "Carly, are you okay?" Adam stood over Carly, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Do you really think I would have kept you by my side all these years if you hadn't stolen Celine's identity? The only reason I tolerated you was because I believed you were her.
"You're the reason Celine and I were separated for so long, the reason we kept missing each other tand tagain. Carly, you makesick!" Tears streamed down Carly's face. "Adam, please... don't be mad. I never meant to hurt you. I only did it because I love you... I love you so much!" Hailey scoffed. "Love? The only person you've ever loved is yourself! Four years ago, when Mr. Alvarez fell into a coma, you ran faster than? anyone. But the moment he woke up, you ccrawling boke desperate to cling to him again. You're selfish, deceitful, and ruthless. All you've ever cared about is wealth and status!" Robin stepped forward. "If Celine hadn't exposed the truth, we would've been deceived forever. You would've lived your whole life in her place taking everything that was never meant for you. Carly, you're beyond shameless!" Carly crawled forward in desperation, clutching at Adam's leg. "Adam, please! It's not what you think! Letexplain-" But Adam's expression was as cold as ice, his eyes burning with fury "Enough I gave you a chance to explain, and you failed. From this moment on, I never want to hear your voice again!" Carly felt like she was free-falling into a bottomless abyss. Suddenly, a sharp, searing pain tore through her chest.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe pressed her hand to her heart, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. "Adam... My heart... It hurts..."
Lucy rushed forward. "Mr. Alvarez, Carly has a heart condition+Them doctors warned that she can't handle this kind of stress!"
"Mr. Alvarez, we need to proceed with the surgery," Hayden urged. "That We was the plan alkalong. Whatever grievances you have can be dealt with afterward."
Adam's lips twisted into a cold, mocking smile as he looked at the three of them. "Even now, all you care about is the surgery? Letmake this clear there will be no surgery!" It was, in essence, a death sentence for Carly.
Carly stared at Adam in terror. "Adam, you can't do this to me! I need the surgery! My heart... It really hurts!" she pleaded.
This time, she wasn't pretending. Her chest throbbed painfully, and cold sweat beaded her forehead.