Lance stared at her. He echoed Addison's earlier words, "You don't feel like talking?" "Right, I don't feel like talking," Addison replied, her lips tight as she met his gaze without flinching. Ever since that moment, she had decided to stop giving the Johnstons her approval. Now that she had made up her mind, she was determined to follow through with it. When Lance heard her firm response, he froze for a moment, his face growing stiff. The air in the elegant room felt heavy and still, like deep, dark water. Though the surface seemed calm, tensions were already beginning to stir beneath it. The atmosphere was undeniably awkward. "You ... " Lance began, his voice strained. As he glanced down at the contract, he only managed to utter the start of his sentence. "Lance, when did you start speaking with such uncertainty?" Addison appeared to lose her patience and cut him off. At her words, Lance looked back at her and finished his sentence. "Are you really Dr. Nancy?" He fixed his gaze on her, studying her intently as if trying to pierce through her and reveal her true identity. He couldn't bring himself to believe that she was Dr. Nancy. In fact, it was more accurate to say he refused to believe it. A woman with no notable family background, no degree from a prestigious university, and no knowledge of pharmaceuticals, how could she be the famous Dr. Nancy? There was no way she could be Dr. Nancy. Lance forcefully rejected that thought. It was impossible! This contract was just coincidentally here, brought by Michael when he came to see Addison and wasn't signed in the private room earlier. "Are you Dr. Nancy or not?" He demanded a clear answer, not some vague response, but a precise answer. Only a clear answer could settle the shock and disbelief brewing in his chest.Addison suddenly smiled. "What do you think?" Instead of answering directly, she threw the question back at him. With that smile and the calm in her eyes, like the scent of orchids in a quiet valley or the soft clouds drifting across distant peaks, it became especially striking to Lance. Addison's refusal to give him a straightforward answer only heightened his frustration and unease. His face tightened, his emotions were all too clear in his expression. In such a short time, Addison had become completely different in his eyes, not just in her demeanor, expression, perfume, or the way she dressed and applied makeup ... Everything had changed. Having completely shattered his previous impression of her, it no longer shocked Lance when she said something that left him guessing. If she could betray her marriage, why would an argument bother her? "I don't want to guess, and I won't get it right," Lance responded coldly. He was losing his patience. Addison's behavior was something he never would've tolerated in the past. If it had been before, he would have snapped instantly. That he had endured this long was already more than he could bear. "Are you hesitating to speak because you're not Dr. Nancy?" Lance's patience wore thin as Addison remained silent. In his mind, he was becoming even more convinced that she could not possibly be Dr. Nancy. If she were truly Dr. Nancy, why wouldn't she answer him by now? Someone like Dr. Nancy would definitely want to reveal her identity, to let the whole Johnstons know. Michael, who had been quietly observing from the side, could no longer hold back. "Mr. Johnston, is Ms. Daves really your wife? How can you speak to your wife like that? I don't hear any affection or emotion in your words." Because of Addison's earlier hint, he had started referring to her as Ms. Daves, not Dr. If Dr. Nancy were his wife, he would never talk to her this way. Lance glanced up at him, his expression odd, as though he had never seen him before. After a brief pause, he scoffed dismissively and gave a mocking grin. "Wife? A wife who cheats in the marriage. How should I speak to her?"When Addison heard such shocking words, she remained composed, showing no signs of shame or embarrassment, her expression unchanged. But at that moment, a loud voice suddenly pierced the silence. "Ms. Daves did not cheat," Michael spoke each word with deliberate clarity. Addison was momentarily taken aback. He seemed more upset than she was, as if he had been personally wronged. Turning to him, Addison offered comfort, saying, "It's okay. As long as I know the truth, there's no need to explain anything to him." "Those who are clear will clear themselves." Things are often perfectly fine on their own, but some people complicate matters unnecessarily. Michael stood stunned, then turned to look at Addison. Her entire presence exuded a clear, pure aura. The tranquility on her face mirrored her demeanor, making her appear both dignified and admirable. "No cheating? Then why are you here?" Lance scoffed. "We're here to sign a contract. Mr. Johnston, please don't always view others in such a crude way," Michael replied, his brow furrowed, his expression dignified. Upon seeing Addison, Michael was even more resolute in his decision to protect her from any harm. Addison, who is composed and aloof, does not deserve to be falsely accused as Lance claimed. She deserved to remain unscathed, untouched by the world's troubles. Lance's words were utterly disrespectful to her. "Mr. Fuller!" Addison grew a bit uneasy as she heard Michael openly refer to their recent actions. Michael cast his gaze downward. Addison approached him, speaking softly, "Mr. Fuller, I just explained that Lance doesn't know who I am, and I don't want him to. Why are you doing this?" Michael's face showed no change. "Apologies, I didn't mean for you to be falsely accused. I spoke too quickly. "But I have my own boundaries, so you don't need to worry." Lance's voice became more intense, "Signing a contract? Are you saying you're making a deal with Addison? And it is related to such an important project? "Is Addison actually Dr. Nancy?" Lance was starting to accept the possibility. Michael had even mentioned it. Addison could indeed be Dr. Nancy. "Not at all," Michael quickly denied. Addison raised an eyebrow, noticing the inconsistency. A moment ago, his words seemed to hint at her being Dr. Nancy, but now he was backpedaling, which appeared to be an attempt to hide the truth. The denial didn't seem convincing. Does Michael truly understand how to handle this situation? Lance furrowed his brows, his sharp gaze reflecting a trace of doubt. "Ms. Daves is not Dr. Nancy," Michael reiterated. Addison stood quietly to the side, silently rubbing her forehead. "She is Dr. Nancy's assistant, given the authority to choose projects by Dr. Nancy, and she is allowed to sign agreements with the appropriate projects on Dr. Nancy's behalf," he said with conviction. Addison, who had previously shown a hint of resignation, subtly shifted her expression upon hearing this explanation. This reasoning was quite reasonable. "Mr. Johnston, by insulting Dr. Nancy's assistant like this today, I hold you in high regard. I'm curious, do the Johnstons have any projects you'd like to work on with Dr. Nancy? Given the current circumstances, even if the Johnstons have the capability, the doctor most likely won't choose to collaborate with you, right?"