After asking the question, Lance fixed his gaze on Michael, his eyes full of intense pressure. Michael had no idea how to explain. He stood up and said, "Please don't misunderstand. The Fullers have no intention of opposing you. "If the Fullers were to take on this project, it would only bring benefits, no downsides. But the truth is, the Fullers really can't take it on ... " Lance remained unmoved and simply said four words, "Give me a reason." "The Fullers have ... difficulties we can't easily explain ... " Michael caught the expression on Lance's face and immediately felt a headache coming on. Halfway through his sentence, he decided he didn't want to say anymore. He sighed inwardly, realizing he'd already said as much as he could. Lance sat up straighter, resting his arms on the table, fingers interlocked. His gaze remained fixed on Michael, waiting for an answer. But all he received was a calm, almost dismissive response. "Please, look elsewhere." Lance's expression darkened instantly. He hadn't expected Michael to respond so dismissively, not even bothering to offer a reason. The bodyguard standing nearby immediately picked up on Lance's shift in demeanor. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, clearly intending to restrain Michael. Sensing the movement behind him, Michael turned his head and was met with the menacing glare of the bodyguard looming over him. Startled, he flinched, nearly jumping out of his skin. "What are you doing?! "This is Fuller Residence! Are you really going to lay a hand on me?" Michael's voice rose sharply, filling the room. The server, who had never witnessed such a tense scene before, immediately sensed trouble. Panicking, he turned and reached for the door, his hand fumbling to open it. Lance's sharp gaze cut across the room like a blade, a silent yet unmistakable warning. The server froze under the weight of Lance's stare, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of his throat. His legs went weak, and his trembling hand barely managed to stay on the doorknob.If he opened that door ... his life would likely be on the line, too, right? The server hesitated, his hand trembling on the doorknob, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. "Lance, what are you doing? Even if The Fullers doesn't agree to cooperate, you can't do this!" Michael snapped, his voice full of anger, his neck stiffening as he held his ground. Lance remained silent, his gaze fixed on Michael, unflinching. He repeated his words, "Give me a reason not to cooperate." "I've told you, I can't say. I really have a reason I can't explain. Why don't you believe me?" Michael said, his palms sweating from anxiety. Lance's face remained expressionless. "What kind of reason could make Mr. Fuller risk his life and still refuse to speak? "Tell me." Michael realized Lance was determined to force the Fullers into cooperating, and, feeling cornered, he hardened his tone. "Even if the Johnstons can control everything in Halton, that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Do they think you're above the law? "And this is Fuller Residence, not the Johnstons'. The whole downstairs is filled with my people. Do you think you can lay a hand on me and walk away unscathed?" Lance let out a cold snort, his face betraying no sign of fear. "Oh, really?" "Then go ahead, send your bodyguard up here and see if I'll suffer any consequences." Michael glared at him. "You said it yourself. Let's see if you can walk out of the Fullers after laying a hand on me!" Lance nodded indifferently. "Go ahead." Then, with a smirk, he added, "Do you really think I came to Fuller Residence without preparation? Do you think I'm foolish enough to show up with just one bodyguard and risk laying a hand on you? "I never take such chances." Michael's eyes widened in shock as he took in Lance's calm words. He was speechless, his face drained of color. "You already have a backup plan, don't you?" Lance remained silent.The bodyguard stood behind him, his voice sharp and threatening. "Hurry up and speak! If you don't want to die, stop avoiding the question!" Michael sighed and spoke, "The Fullers already signed a contract with another company before this. We don't have the funds to work with Johnston Enterprise. This project requires too much capital, and ApexMed can't bear the cost." That was all he could say. Michael silently prayed that Lance would accept this explanation and let the Fullers and ApexMed off the hook, and wouldn't press further. "Who did you sign with?" As far as Michael knew, ApexMed wasn't one of the top pharmaceutical companies in Halton, but they should be able to fund two projects. Given the situation, Michael wouldn't dare to lie. It was clear that ApexMed had signed with a much larger company—possibly one even more powerful than the Johnstons, and it might not even be based in Halton. "I really can't say, Mr. Johnston. As you know, most projects require confidentiality agreements. What can be said, will be said; what can't, won't." "Enough with the nonsense and just speak!" The bodyguard's hand pressed down on Michael's shoulder, his grip firm as if he was ready to strike at any moment. Michael looked toward Lance, but Lance only stared coldly at him, silent, clearly giving his tacit approval for the bodyguard's actions. A wave of dread washed over Michael, his heart sinking to the pit of his stomach. He could feel the pressure from the bodyguard's hand on his shoulder increasing with each passing second. His mind raced, desperately trying to find a way out of the situation. If the Johnstons truly wanted to cooperate with the Fullers, there was no way they'd resort to violence. Seeing Lance's unrelenting questioning and complete lack of mercy, Michael realized that there were no other suitable candidates for the partnership in Halton—other than the Fullers. If he were to die here, where would the Johnstons find another partner? The realization suddenly hit him. He refused to believe that, on the Fullers' turf, with all their people around, they couldn't defeat Lance! His gaze hardened with a hint of desperation. Michael quickly spun around, shouting at the server by the door, "What are you standing there for? Open the door and get out!"There's only one bodyguard in here—what are you afraid of? Open the door, now!" The server's eyes shifted uneasily. "Hurry up!" Michael shouted. Lance raised an eyebrow, surprised. He didn't expect Michael to have the courage to stand up to him so openly. The server, seeing Michael's frantic urgency, hesitated for a moment. After a brief internal struggle, he made up his mind, closing his eyes before opening the door and rushing out. The bodyguard immediately turned to Lance. "Boss, should we go after him?" Lance shook his head. "No need. "Let Mr. Fuller go." "Yes, sir!" The bodyguard quickly complied, removing his hand from Michael's shoulder and returning to his position. Michael felt the pressure on his shoulders suddenly ease. He paused, his mind spinning with disbelief. Why had Lance stopped? He thought he had a good grasp on Lance, but now he felt completely lost. Unable to hold back his confusion, he asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?" ... Meanwhile, the server hurried to the room where Annie was, bursting in without knocking, his face fraught with panic. The door slammed open with a loud bang. Startled, Addison almost lost her grip on the fork. She looked up in surprise and immediately met the frantic gaze. "What's with the lack of manners? Are you new here? Didn't you learn you're supposed to knock first?" Annie's tone was sharp with anger. The server was panting, struggling to catch his breath. "Something happened ... Mr. Fuller, he's in trouble... " "What did you say?" Annie asked, barely able to process the words. Even Addison frowned.Was Michael in trouble? Wasn't he just meeting with Lance? How could this happen, especially on the Fullers' turf?