Francesca didn't answer. She squinted, staring across the restaurant as if trying to confirm whether the person she saw was Addison. "Mom, what are you looking at? Let's just eat," her son complained, clearly annoyed by her distraction. Snapping out of her thoughts, Francesca smiled awkwardly. "Alright, let's eat." She then placed a few pieces of meat onto her son's plate. "I don't want this," he said, frowning as he pushed the meat back onto her plate without even a glance. Francesca chuckled awkwardly. "Why don't you eat meat anymore? It used to be your favorite." She picked up the pieces of meat again, attempting to place them back on her son's plate. Her son, however, slid his plate aside, his expression darkening. Francesca froze for a moment. "You ... " Her husband glanced at her and remarked with biting sarcasm, "If he doesn't want to eat, just leave him alone. Do you always have to be so annoying?" At the next table, the food was almost completely served—four dishes and a soup. Addison inspected the spread carefully. The restaurant specialized in rustic cuisine, known for highlighting natural ingredients, balanced seasoning, and refined techniques. This style of cooking, one of the eight major regional cuisines, was milder and less greasy compared to others. "Dr. Daves, give it a try," Ryan said, handing Addison a set of cutlery with an eager expression. "Okay." Addison took the cutlery and chose a dish with a simple presentation, picking up a small piece before tasting it. Ryan's eyes stayed fixed on her as she ate, his excitement barely contained. He couldn't wait and blurted out, "How is it? Does it taste good?" Addison chewed thoughtfully, glancing at him before replying. His expectant gaze made her laugh. "You're really excited, aren't you?" "Not at all," Ryan said, flustered. "If it bothers you, I'll stop staring." He quickly averted his gaze to avoid making her uncomfortable. "It doesn't bother me." Addison's lashes fluttered slightly. She just found his enthusiasm amusing and was tempted to tease him.As the mashed potatoes melted in her mouth, the smooth, rich flavors unfolded, pleasantly surprising her. Her eyebrows lifted. "It's delicious." Ryan grinned. "I knew you'd think so! It's better than those expensive restaurants, isn't it? Like that one in Halton—what's it called again?" "Are you talking about Olive Oasis?" Addison asked, recalling a memorable visit to that restaurant. "No, not that one. I can't remember now." Ryan frowned. He then waved it off, adding, "Anyway, I've been to plenty of Michelin three-star restaurants, but none of them felt as authentic as this. Here, you can taste the effort in every dish." "Plenty?" Addison raised an eyebrow. Halton only had two Michelin three-star restaurants, and both were exclusive to members. Money alone couldn't secure a reservation; patrons needed status to gain entry. Ryan came from a modest background—how could he have dined at such places? Unaware of her thoughts, Ryan continued, "Yes, those places feel like assembly lines. They lack the personal touch you get here." Addison's curiosity deepened. He didn't come across as someone who lied. If he had truly been to those restaurants, how had he managed it? Was he not as ordinary as he seemed? If Ryan came from wealth, why would he settle for working in a lab as just an assistant? And as far as Addison knew, wealthy families in Halton would never be caught eating at small roadside diners. They considered such places unsanitary and believed dining there would damage their image. However, the way Ryan casually conversed with the restaurant owner today suggested he was a regular. It was obvious he had visited this place many times before. Addison's suspicions deepened. She remembered seeing Ryan at the Zimmer Residence not long ago. What was his real identity? Her gaze drifted back to him. He carefully poured tea into her cup, the gentle sound of the liquid filling the air. "Where did this tea come from?" Addison asked, surprised. The restaurant didn't list tea on its menu. Ryan handed her the cup with a small smile. "You like tea, don't you? I specifically asked the owner for it. He's been saving this tea for a long time, and most people don't even get the chance to try it." He hesitated before adding, "When we had dinner at the Fuller Residence, I noticed you drank tea. And in the lab, you never touch soft drinks, so I figured tea might be your preference. If I'm wrong, let me know. I'll get you something else." Addison accepted the tea and took a sip. "You guessed right. I like tea. There's no need to change it." Ryan's thoughtful gestures didn't go unnoticed. She had planned to ask him something. But as she watched him, her words faltered. Would her curiosity hurt him? She hesitated, unsure if she should bring it up. While she debated, her phone began to ring. She glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar number. Without much thought, she declined the call. Moments later, the phone buzzed again. The loud ringtone disrupted the quiet, making Addison frown as she checked the number. At the nearby table, Francesca's voice broke the air. "I went through so much trouble to book this place, and you're still unhappy? I had to ask multiple times for time off just to come here! Do you know how hard it is to get my boss to agree? It's like moving a mountain!" She felt a wave of frustration at her family's lack of appreciation for the effort she had put into securing the restaurant reservation. "This place is incredibly popular! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a table here? What's going on with you two? Are you deliberately trying to upset me?" Before she could say more, Addison's phone rang, breaking her train of thought. The sudden interruption made Francesca fall silent, her attention shifting to the sound. Her son, noticing the abrupt pause, glanced at her and then turned to his father, who gave a small shake of his head, equally perplexed. ... The phone's persistent ringing echoed through the room, catching Ryan's attention and making him pause mid-meal to glance at Addison. Realizing she couldn't ignore it any longer, Addison finally answered the call. A familiar voice greeted her. "Hello, Dr. Nancy.""Michael?" she said, immediately recognizing the voice. Ryan abruptly looked up.