"Who's here?" Annie asked, surprised by the sound of someone approaching. It was rare for anyone to visit the Fullers, not because they were hard to reach, but because most business meetings took place at Olive Oasis, and the Fuller Residence didn't host business affairs. Why would someone come to the Fuller Residence today? Is it because they don't understand the Fullers' rules, or ... Annie's eyes were filled with confusion. "It's Mr. Johnston," the servant at the door repeated. Mr. Johnston ... Annie paused, as if something suddenly dawned on her. "Wait, did I hear that correctly? Mr. Johnston? "Could it be Lance Johnston, the CEO of Johnston Enterprise?" Michael nodded. Annie's heart skipped a beat. She turned to Addison, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Um ... " Addison's eyelashes fluttered lightly. "I'm fine with it." Annie gently pulled Addison's hand, lowering her voice. "Aren't you two divorced? What's he here for?" "Is he here to see you?" Annie added, her expression a bit awkward. Could it be that Lance was changing his mind, reluctant to go through with the divorce? "No. He doesn't even know you're at the Fuller Residence," Annie quickly dismissed the idea. So, what was the real reason? Addison smiled and leaned in to whisper in Annie's ear. "Stop guessing. He's not here for me. "He's here to see your grandson." Annie's eyes widened in shock. "Lance is here to see you? When did you manage to catch this guy's attention?" Lance's aloof nature was well-known to almost everyone in Halton. In fact, she had heard of a business rival who, for reasons unknown, had angered Lance, only to find themselves bankrupt the next day. Although Annie was from the Daves family and had grown up in the capital, where she'd seen countless powerful families—some even more influential than the Johnstons—she knew that this was Halton. Halton was practically Lance's territory, and the Fullers lacked the strength to challenge the Johnstons. Even if they somehow managed to win with the Daves' help, it would be a costly victory, both sides would be left weakened. The Fullers knew better than to provoke someone like Lance, a power to be reckoned with. "No, no," Michael quickly shook his head. "You know your grandson. Do you really think I'm the type to go around stirring up trouble?" "Then why is he here to see you?" Annie asked, her expression serious. "He wouldn't come all this way for no reason." Michael shook his head. "Honestly, I'm not sure why he's here. "Probably to discuss a business partnership." ApexMed Group and Johnston Enterprise had little to do with each other and weren't major competitors, so it was unlikely he had come to the Fuller Residence looking for trouble. Addison blinked. "Aren't you going to meet Mr. Johnston? "Isn't it bad to make him wait outside for too long?" She knew Lance's personality—he valued efficiency above all else. If something took too long, he would grow impatient, seeing it as nothing more than pointless waiting and a waste of time. From Lance's perspective, products were valued based on money, or more precisely, price. Similarly, time was the measure by which he judged a person's efficiency. Annie looked at her. "You want Michael to meet Lance? That might be a little rude ... After all, you're a distinguished guest of the Fullers. "Michael leaving like this would be improper, no matter how you look at it." Addison smiled gently. "It's fine, really. I'm not concerned with formalities. And I understand that you can't afford to offend Lance." She understood the Johnstons' standing in Halton, and putting the Fullers in such a difficult position certainly made things awkward for them. Michael stood up, glancing at Annie. When he saw that she wasn't stopping him, he understood her stance. He picked up a glass of wine. "My apologies, Dr. Nancy. Let me drink to make up for it," he said, lifting the glass. With a quick motion, he tilted his head back and emptied the glass in one go.Addison watched Michael's sincere, bold gesture as he downed the glass in one go, and a shiver ran down her spine. The last time she had a drink at Olive Oasis, it ended with Ryan driving her home. This time, she had come on her own, with no one to help her drive back. She wasn't particularly good with alcohol either. But given Michael's genuine attitude, she couldn't afford to be rude in return. "I drove here on my own, so it's not convenient for me to drink. But I appreciate the gesture, so let me raise a cup of tea in your honor instead." She took the teapot and poured herself another cup. As the tea filled the cup, only the faint sound of clinking could be heard, and she realized the tea had already cooled down. Relieved, she lifted the cup and drank it in one go. Michael gave her a grateful look before heading out the door. Lance stood at the door, his black suit perfectly tailored, exuding a commanding presence. Beside him, a bodyguard in matching attire held an umbrella with a serious and stern expression. Lance was at the front, the bodyguard trailing behind. It was obvious from a single glance that Lance was growing increasingly impatient. His impatience created a tense and intimidating atmosphere around him. Michael put on his coat, hurried downstairs, and was immediately alarmed by what he saw. "Mr. Johnston, I apologize for the wait!" Michael quickly shed his earlier panic, replacing it with a polite, composed smile as he approached. "What are you standing there for? Get Mr. Johnston inside!" he urged when he saw the person at the door still motionless. "No need," Lance replied, stepping forward and entering the Fuller Residence. Michael moved closer. "I wasn't able to meet you yesterday because I was tied up with another important guest at Olive Oasis, and I couldn't step away. "I did ask you to come today, and I haven't forgotten. It's just that we have another important guest upstairs, which caused the slight delay. I hope you don't mind." His words were carefully chosen, not only to explain the situation but also to convey the Fullers' respect.He didn't want Lance to think they were neglecting him—after all, the Fullers could not afford to offend the Johnstons. "It seems like the Fullers are quite busy," Lance said, his tone flat and casual. The seemingly light remark left Michael momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond without it sounding wrong. All he could do was smile awkwardly. Michael quickly changed the subject. "May I ask what brings you to the Fuller Residence today, Mr. Johnston?" "Let's sit down and talk." Seeing that Lance wasn't in the mood for conversation, Michael continued to smile awkwardly. "Alright, please follow me this way." The two made their way upstairs, with the bodyguard trailing behind. Addison, sitting in the room, clearly heard the sound of footsteps and faint rustling from outside. She knew Lance had arrived upstairs. "Ms. Daves," a voice called, pulling her attention. Addison snapped back to reality. "The reason I asked you to come today was mainly to pass on your mother's concerns. But there's also something else I'd like to discuss." Addison frowned. "Yes, go ahead." "I know you're capable, fully inheriting the Daves' gift for pharmaceuticals. Unlike me, who's spent most of my life caught up in other things and never truly made a name for myself in the pharmaceutical world," Annie said with a sigh, her tone reflecting a hint of regret. "Please don't say that. You've done an excellent job founding ApexMed Group." Annie shook her head. "It's nothing compared to what you've achieved. "I'm counting on your help with the Acygine project ... Because it's really crucial for the Fullers ... "