As soon as Virginia issued the order, the bodyguards, having heard Steven's earlier instructions, immediately stepped forward and grabbed Addison's arm. The nearby guests were startled. "What's going on? Did the bodyguards make a mistake?" Some even stood up, craning their necks to get a better view of the commotion. Gossip spread like electricity, zipping across the room in whispers. The elegant music playing in the banquet hall was completely drowned out by the murmuring. The towering bodyguards advanced, forcing even Troy, who was standing nearby, to step back. When Troy saw the bodyguards grabbing Addison's arm, his eyebrows rose in surprise. However, after stopping his retreat, he simply stood by and didn't intervene. His smirk and sly gaze made it impossible to decipher his thoughts. Addison struggled against the bodyguards' iron grip, but their strength was overwhelming. She couldn't break free. "Virginia, what do you think you're doing? I haven't even left the banquet hall yet, and you're already laying hands on me? Can't wait any longer?" Addison looked at her coldly. "Addison, don't say that. I'm not such a petty person. I'm only acting under Mr. Steven's orders. Otherwise, how could I possibly command the bodyguards of the Johnston Residence?" Virginia's smugness was written all over her face. Addison frowned. She bitterly regretted not hiring bodyguards from the Zimmers earlier. Their rigorous screening process delayed their arrival at Pendomium Heights. If only they were here, Virginia wouldn't have had the chance to act so arrogantly today. Even if she called them now, it would be too late to dispatch help. Her icy gaze bore into Virginia. Virginia put on a fake smile and said, "Addison, my apologies." With that, she waved her hand, signaling the bodyguards. The surrounding guests widened their eyes in shock. Mr. Lance's new date is throwing Mrs.Addison, the rightful lady of the house, out of the banquet?This ... Shouldn't Mr. Lance step in? Even if he didn't, Mr. Steven should step up, right? All eyes turned toward the main table, only to see its occupants calmly eating as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. The only exception was Marilyn, whose face betrayed her discomfort. Marilyn wanted to intervene, but Lance stopped her. "Mom, are you feeling unwell? You don't look too good." Before Marilyn could respond, Lance tilted his head and waved to the bodyguards. "Escort her upstairs. She's not feeling well. Have Lana take good care of her." His voice was firm and brooked no argument. "Mrs. Marilyn, please," one of the bodyguards said, stepping forward. "You ... What are you doing? I'm your mother! How dare you treat me like this?" Marilyn glared at Lance angrily. Lance remained impassive. "I'm sorry, Mom. Just this once." As the bodyguards approached, Marilyn continued to glare at Lance, searching for even the slightest hint of hesitation in his expression. But no matter how hard she looked, Lance's face remained unreadable. She had no choice but to yield. Her eyes filled with disappointment. "How could you treat Addison like this?" "Mom, don't you get it? Addison is fooling around with other men. She's not the person you think she is. I'm just asking her to leave; I haven't done anything excessive." Lance's tone was serious. He genuinely believed he was doing the right thing. Marilyn had been blinded by Addison for too long, and he felt it was time to force her to see the truth. The guests, unable to hear their conversation, could only watch in astonishment as Marilyn was escorted upstairs. Even Mrs. Marilyn was asked to leave. Who exactly is this woman Mr. Lance brought today? Is there going to be a change in the Johnstons' matriarch? At Virginia's order, the bodyguards immediately grabbed Addison and began forcibly dragging her toward the door.Their grip was unrelenting and tight and Addison's arms burned with pain. All around, guests turned their gazes toward the commotion, their murmurs and whispers adding fuel to the spectacle. Addison frowned deeply. She endured the disdainful looks of the crowd with every step. At last, she was pushed and dragged to the doorway. "We're at the door now. Let go, won't you?" Addison said coldly. What exactly had Virginia said to make Steven disregard the Johnston family's dignity and allow me to be dragged out like this? She has such remarkable tactics. Virginia had certainly stolen the spotlight tonight. By now, there likely wasn't a single person in Halton's elite circle who didn't know her name. She had finally gotten the recognition she'd been after. But at the same time, Virginia's actions had ensured that Addison's own reputation was left in shambles within the same elite circle. "My apologies," one of the bodyguards said as he prepared to release her. But before he could, a voice called out from behind. "Wait." The bodyguard turned around. "I have one last thing to say," Virginia said as she lifted her skirt slightly while walking over with an air of superiority. Addison frowned. Was this woman ever going to stop? Positioning herself where no one in the banquet hall could see her, Virginia leaned in close. Addison felt her chin being forcefully lifted. The sudden pain made her frown. She instinctively looked up, meeting Virginia's venomous gaze. Virginia smiled sinisterly. "If you dare to show up again after being dragged out of this door today, you'll face an even greater humiliation."Her grip on Addison's chin tightened. Rage flashed in Addison's eyes. Summoning strength from who-knows-where, Addison broke free from the bodyguard's hold. Without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed a fistful of Virginia's hair and slapped her hard across the face. The resounding "smack" echoed through the air. Virginia's head snapped to the side and her cheek burned from the force of the blow. Stars danced before her eyes as her temples throbbed painfully. "How dare you hit me?" Virginia stammered in disbelief, her once flawless hairstyle now a disheveled mess. Her polished image was utterly ruined. It took her a moment to recover. Her face twisted into a mask of rage and gone was the sweet facade she'd maintained earlier. "Why wouldn't I? You dared to grab my chin; of course, I'd dare to slap you." Addison had been patient, avoiding unnecessary trouble, but Virginia had clearly mistaken her restraint for weakness. Furious, Virginia raised her hand to retaliate. Addison braced herself, closing her eyes as the sound of rushing air from Virginia's hand reached her ears. Yet, the expected pain never came. Feeling confused, Addison opened her eyes to see the bodyguard gripping Virginia's wrist tightly, his strength so great it seemed as though he might break her arm. Virginia struggled, but her efforts only brought sharp pain to her wrist. Addison blinked in astonishment. Why did the bodyguard help me? "Apologies," the bodyguard said curtly. "Mr. Steven ordered us to escort Ms. Daves out, but he specifically instructed us not to let her get hurt." "What?" Virginia's eyes widened in disbelief, and even Addison looked visibly shocked.