Carly cut Grace off. "So, you''re saying I''m not as good as her!"


    Grace hesitated. "I..."


    Carly clenched both hands into fists at her sides. "That''s what all of you think, isn''t it? Celine is the nation-renowned genius Dr. C! Celine is Linny! She''s so


    exceptional, while I''m a nobody. That''s why all of you side with her. That''s why you don''t like me!"


    Grace was startled by Carly''s outburst. Right now, Carly''s face was twisted with malice and jealousy. Her features were contorted into something terrifying.


    Be shrank behind Grace. "Grandma, I''m scared."


    Grace hugged Be and looked at Carly as if she were seeing a stranger. "Carly, how could you think that? We never disliked you just because you weren''t as talented as Celine. But your jealousy has turned you bitter, and now you''vemitted a crime. You''ve really disappointed me."


    Carly''s bloodshot eyes locked onto Grace. "Mrs. Alvarez, I don''t need you to like me anymore because you''re not leaving here alive!"


    Grace''s face changed. "Carly, you would actuallyy hands on me?"


    Carly waved her hand. "Take them all down!"


    The ck-d kidnappers immediately grabbed Grace and Be.


    Be burst into frightened sobs. "Let go of me! Let go of Grandma! My mommy will be here soon! She''s going to save us!"


    Grace quickly reassured her, "Be, don''t be scared. Carly, think this through. I am Mrs. Alvarez. If you dare to harm me, my son will never let you go!"


    Carly gave Grace a sinister look. "Mrs. Alvarez, don''t worry. Adam will never find out about this. And once I marry him and be your daughter-inw, I''ll make sure to visit your grave every year on All Souls'' Day."


    Grace''s voice trembled with fury. "Carly, you''re absolutely insane!"


    To Carly, there was no reason for Grace or Be to exist anymore. She ordered, "Get rid of them. I don''t want to see them again!"


    "Yes, ma''am."


    The kidnappers drew sharp knives and slowly closed in on Grace and Be. Grace shouted, "Carly, you can''t do this! You''vepletely lost your mind!" Carly smirked. Anyone who stood in her way deserved to die.


    Anything she wanted, she would take!


    At that moment, a bang echoed.


    The door to the dark room was kicked open with a deafening crash, and a gust of cold wind rushed in from outside.


    Carly''s head whipped around. A squad of highly trained ck-d bodyguards stormed in, swiftly subduing the kidnappers.


    With a loud ng, the kidnappers'' knives ttered to the floor.


    Carly''s


    stared


    urned deathly pale. She


    in shock. "Who are


    you people? How did you find this ce? Stop! Stop right now!


    Carly felt like she couldn''t breathe. This ce was extremely well-hidden. Her n had been wless. Who were these people, and how did they get here?


    Just then, a clear and elegant voice rang out. "Ms. Hampton, how are you?"


    Carly instantly recognized that voice.


    That voice was-Celine!


    The next second, Celine''s graceful, otherworldly figure stepped into view.


    Celine was here!


    Be''s eyes lit up, and she happily eximed, "Mommy! My mommy is here! My mommy is here to save us! I knew she woulde!"


    Celine saw her daughter and quickly


    went up to give her a hug. She


    kissed her head and said, "Be,


    Mommy''s here. Are you oka


    Be also gave her a peck. "Mommy, I''m fine. There''s just one thing..."