Addison frowned as she glanced at the man standing nearby. At first glance, he appeared rather ordinary, his features just barely passing for handsome. But a second look revealed something unsettling in his slightly upturned eyes. He had a dangerous allure that carried a sinister edge, creating an unnerving contrast with his otherwise refined appearance. As Addison searched her memory, recalling the people from Halton elite circles she had mingled with during her three years with the Johnstons, she confirmed that she didn't know him. What was he doing here? She dismissed him without much thought, redirecting her attention to Marilyn. Bending slightly, she spoke gently, "Marilyn, I'm sorry to disappoint you today. Please take care of your health." Marilyn's eyes betrayed a complex mix of emotions. After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Addison, why don't you stay and finish your meal before you go?" Addison smiled and replied softly, "No, thank you, Marilyn. "If I stay any longer, Virginia might spend the entire evening scheming about how to deal with me. She wouldn't even be able to enjoy her meal." The jab in her words didn't escape Virginia's ears. Addison turned her mocking gaze toward Virginia. "Isn't that right, Virginia?" Virginia almost snapped back immediately. However, Lance's earlier warning echoed in her mind. All she could do was glare at Addison with barely contained fury. Since Addison hadn't made a move, a bodyguard anxiously stepped forward to urge her. "Ms. Daves, let's go." Sweat was forming on his forehead under Steven's piercing gaze. As the bodyguard reached out to usher Addison away, a hand suddenly intervened, gripping his wrist tightly. The strength of the hold forced the bodyguard to withdraw, wincing in pain.Addison looked up and was surprised to see Lance standing there. "What's this? Are you here to see me off?" she asked, blinking in mock confusion. "Hardly," Lance scoffed coldly as he leaned down to whisper menacingly in her ear. "This is your final warning. Don't ever show up at the Johnston Residence again." Across the table, Virginia ground her teeth in frustration as she watched Lance lean so close to Addison. Lance's tone was sharp and full of disdain. "Whenever you're there, it disgusts me." Addison raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, Lance. I won't set foot in the Johnston Residence again. "Seeing you with Virginia makes me just as sick." Lance's already dark expression turned even stormier. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that before. Addison turned to leave but paused after just a few steps. She pivoted back, adding with a faint smile, "Doesn't a man like you—who cannot succeed on his own and relies on women to get ahead—find himself disgusting? How dare you criticize others for it?" Her tone was calm, but the ridicule in her words was unmistakable. Lance's face darkened to the point of being almost unrecognizable. Addison didn't linger. She turned and strode away, leaving Lance fuming in silence. Not far off, Troy chuckled. "Mrs. Johnston, you're leaving already? The meal isn't over yet." His voice was loud enough to draw the attention of the surrounding guests. "Why is Mrs. Johnston leaving so early? The banquet hasn't even ended. Where's your manners?" "Don't you know? She's an orphan with a lowly background and no proper upbringing. Of course, she doesn't understand proper etiquette," someone commented with a dismissive laugh, as though it were expected. Troy took a sip from his wine glass and casually stepped in front of Addison. She frowned, displeasure flickering in her eyes as she looked at him. "Excuse me, Sir. May I know who you are?" She had overheard the earlier remarks but felt no real anger—only mild irritation toward the man blocking her path.Before Troy could respond, Addison cut him off, her voice frosty. "I don't think I know you. I'm not sure why you're in my way, but if you have no business with me, kindly move aside." Troy remained unfazed. "I'm just curious where Mrs. Johnston is heading in such a hurry." Virginia, observing from a distance, grew suspicious. Wasn't Addison supposed to leave? Why was she still lingering? Could she be plotting something? "That's none of your business," Addison replied icily, her patience waning. "I couldn't help but notice you seemed to be in a bit of a dispute earlier," Troy remarked, feigning concern. "And how does that concern you? Do I even know you?" Addison's initial impression of him faded. Handsome? More like an insufferable pest. "This is your final warning. Move." Meanwhile, Virginia noticed the commotion and narrowed her eyes as she spotted the man standing in front of Addison. Virginia's heart leaped with joy as she tugged on Lance's sleeve. "Lance." Lance turned to her, his expression still darkened with irritation from his earlier encounter with Addison. "Lance, look! Addison hasn't even left the banquet hall, and she's already cozying up to another man." Following her gaze, Lance looked in Addison's direction. His expression grew so stormy that the sheer intensity of his glare was unsettling. So this was the marriage I had been forced to maintain at the cost of my position as the CEO? Haha. He glanced at Steven, his tone low but resolute. "Grandpa, we need to talk later." He only wanted to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible. The meaning in Lance's eyes was unmistakable. He wanted to revisit the promise he had made that day. Lance firmly believed that Steven would no longer favor Addison after today. If this was the case, no one would stand in his way regarding the divorce. And as far as he was concerned, his position as the CEO of Johnston Enterprise would remain unshaken.Virginia stared at Lance in confusion. "Lance, what do you need to talk to Mr. Steven about?" "Just some matters. It's none of your concern," Lance replied curtly. Steven understood immediately. He sighed but didn't object. Virginia, still fixated on Addison, suggested, "Lance, shouldn't you do something about her?" Lance frowned. "Let her be." "But she's openly flirting with another man! This is humiliating for the Johnstons," Virginia insisted. She had to seize every chance to pick on Addison. "Then have the bodyguards throw her out," Steven finally said. Virginia feigned hesitation. "Wouldn't that be a bit harsh?" "She was given a chance to leave with dignity and refused. She has no one to blame but herself," Lance said. Virginia's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she nodded. Feigning concern, she approached Addison's side, only to falter slightly when she recognized the man standing before her. "Ms. Dolton? What brings you here? Looking for someone to chat with?" Troy's smirk deepened, carrying a hint of mischief. Virginia scowled. "Who's here to chat with you? Don't flatter yourself." Hearing the familiar voice, Addison turned her head, unsurprised to find Virginia standing there with a smug smile. "What do you want?" Addison asked. "What do I want? Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Virginia looked away from Troy's face as her voice took on a note of triumph. She glanced at the bodyguards nearby and gestured subtly. "Ms. Daves refuses to leave. Please, kindly escort her out." Addison's expression darkened instantly at the words.