Adam had arrived.

Celine's long lashes trembled. They had just parted ways, so she hadn't expected him to show up right after.

Nathan looked over at Adam. "Adam, long time no see."

Adam walked straight to Celine's side and sat down next to her. "Nathan, you came back to the country without telling me first. I'm a little hurt, you know. Some friend you are!"

Adam sat next to Celine, making his position clear-Nathan was the visiting friend who had just returned to the country, and the two of them were there to host him.

Nathan and Adam had known each other for years. Of course, he could read the message between the lines. Adam was still possessive and jealous as always.

Nathan raised a brow. "I was planning to tell you. But I heard you're about to marry Carly, the heiress of the Hamptons. I figured you'd be too busy to care, so really, I was just being thoughtful."

Nathan lifted his cup of coffee with an elegant motion, clearly enjoying himself. He was curious to see how Adam would answer.

Adam fell silent. Trust Nathan to bring up the one topic that hit a nerve.

Not one to back down, he fired back, "Please. I could never be busier than you. Word is, you and the Landons' precious daughter, Michelle, make quite the power couple. I heard Mr. Lynch Senior is already urging you to give him a great- grandchild. You must be busy in the room."

Nathan paused mid-sip. He was speechless.

Satisfied, Adam's mood was much lighter. He reached over and took Celine's hand. "See, that's where I've got you beat. Our daughter's already five. Better catch up, my friend."

Nathan shot him a glare, not saying anything.

Adam laughed. "What's that look for?"

"I don't like your face. You've got a problem with that?" Nathan said.

That made Adam laugh harder.

Celine curved her lips into a faint smile. The two families had known each other for generations, and they had grown up together. Seeing that their friendship hadn't soured because of her gave her a sense of quiet relief.

She slipped her hand out of Adam's grasp. "You two talk. I need to use the bathroom."

Once she left, only the two men remained.

"You're still as possessive and

as

C and Celine are t

Can't you just let me have a

Nathan asked

"Sure. Planning to commit bigamy? That's a crime, you know," Adam said.

Nathan went silent.

Adam continued, "Unless you're planning to divorce Ms. Landon first?"

"I've been thinking about it," Nathan admitted, taking another sip of coffee.

"She won't agree?" Adam asked.

"You're overthinking it. She wants out too!"

A faint crease formed between Nathan's brows, probably from the thought of Michelle.

"So, even Mrs. Lynch wants a divorce?" Adam asked again.

"What did you expect? We were forced into an arranged marriage. We've been married five years, but

we've never even lived together She

does her thing, I do mine. We've

barely seen each other a handful of

times!" Nathan said.

"I heard Mrs. Lynch is quite the socialite. A jewelry designer, isn't she?" Adam said.

Nathan nodded. "That's what I've heard."

The way Nathan said it was telling

enough, Celine was a socialite and a

lead jewelry designer. They were,

practically strangers bound by a piece of paper.

Adam's voice was calm but sharp. "You're a married man, I suggest you keep your distance from Celine."

Nathan gave a weary sigh. He knew five years ago that Celine and he could never happen.

Then he looked at Adam and asked, "Is there really no way to break the Heartstring Venom curse you carry?"