Addison carefully watched the director's reaction as he spoke, noticing that there was no sign of impatience like before, which gave her a sense of relief. "I need you to assist in restoring the funding chain of the Fullers," she said directly, without any hesitation or beating around the bush. The director's expression remained unchanged upon hearing her request, with no emotion showing on his face. However, Alex, who was standing beside him, immediately had a shift in her expression. The already unpleasant look on her face grew more disdainful and mocking. She muttered quietly, "Earlier, acting all high and mighty, thinking it would benefit Yarrow. And now you come to ask Yarrow for help. "Coming for help and then fighting with others, so shameless!" Though Alex spoke softly, both the director and Addison could hear her clearly as she was standing right next to them. Addison's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Alex's words were accurate, and she had no counterargument. The director calmly continued sipping his tea, ignoring the mockery from Alex. Addison understood that his silence was an agreement, and he likely shared Alex's view. She then spoke, "It was our mistake that Gordon hit her earlier." "I apologize on behalf of Gordon," she said with a composed tone. Despite the apology, her words held an air of authority. "Mrs. Johnston, you're being too kind," the director said, setting his cup down on the table. His gaze briefly lingered on the steaming tea before her. He spoke slowly, "Try this tea. It's quite good," he said as he nudged the cup toward her. "I went to great lengths to acquire it and don't share it with just anyone." His face showed clear pride as he spoke, clearly pleased with his tea. Addison lifted the cup, took a sip, and casually asked, "Is this Greenhill ornitongue?" The director raised an eyebrow, surprised by her knowledge."Mrs. Johnston, you're familiar with tea?" he asked, his voice hinting at surprise. "People who don't know much about tea or only have a little knowledge wouldn't be able to appreciate its sweetness, much less recognize its name." After all, Greenhill ornitongue comes only from Kreshill, and most people have never tasted it, let alone heard of it. Addison offered a subtle smile. "Just a little." "Please don't be so humble. There aren't many people who truly understand tea these days," the director said, his voice tinged with regret and bitterness. It was clear he viewed her as one of his few trusted confidants. Seeing he had taken the bait, Addison smiled and repeated her earlier words, "I sincerely apologize to you, Sir." "Of course, a simple verbal apology won't suffice. A true apology must include some material compensation," she added. The director looked at her in silence. Addison gestured toward the cup of tea on the table. "I know you're fond of this tea, and by coincidence, I have a friend who also enjoys it." She had to reluctantly pretend her grandfather to be her tea-loving friend. "Really?" The elderly man showed curiosity. "Just tell me how much Greenhill ornitongue you need, and I'll get some from him as an apology for you later." "Hah," the director chuckled at the statement. Alex, standing next to him, also let out a laugh. Gordon glanced at the two of them laughing and couldn't help but scowl. "Sir, you don't trust it?" Addison, unfazed by the situation, spoke with a calm tone. She understood his concerns. It was only natural for them to be skeptical. After all, her present role was that of an orphan, a pitiful "substitute" who had married into the Johnstons. The director held back his laugh. "It's not that I don't want to trust you. It's just ... do you realize how rare this Greenhill ornitongue is?"She was well aware of how rare the tea was. After all, her grandfather was quite fond of it, and he had gathered all the Greenhill ornitongue available on the market, storing it in the Daves' Herbs Valley. This tea was controlled by the Daves, making it difficult for anyone else to obtain. "I understand that you're asking for help and want to show some goodwill so that we will be willing to assist. "But things need to be kept within limits, don't you agree?" Addison pressed her lips together. "Even if you're anxious, you can't speak carelessly. Your actions are no different from Lance's deceitful acts with false authorizations." The director sighed as he spoke, a look of regret on his face, as if he were lamenting and frustrated, almost as if saying: Why can't you do better? "You should leave. Think carefully before speaking. Let me teach you this lesson today," he said, gesturing with his hand, his voice carrying a note of sorrow. Just now, he had viewed her as a confidant, but now that illusion was completely shattered. He hadn't expected her to be just another young person, arrogant and ignorant of her own limits. Addison responded earnestly, "I didn't say that lightly. I know you think I'm ignorant and impulsive, speaking without understanding how valuable this tea really is. "But I do have a friend who adores this kind of tea." The director waved his hand repeatedly, clearly unwilling to let her continue, "If you don't leave now, I'll have to throw you out myself. Don't blame me for not showing you any respect." Addison was about to say more when Alex quickly moved to pull her away. Before she could make a move, Gordon noticed and stepped in front of Addison, blocking Alex. Alex was halted, her expression clearly irritated, and she looked ready to confront Gordon. With a swift chop of his hand, full of power, it could easily cause serious harm. Gordon kept his gaze fixed, not even blinking, as he tilted his head slightly to the left, narrowly avoiding her strike. In the next moment, he swiftly reached out, restraining her, and Alex's wrist was nearly torn from its socket. "Let go," came the elderly man's firm voice. Gordon glanced at Addison, and she nodded in response.Gordon released his grip with an impassive expression, and Alex's hand was suddenly freed, causing her to stumble backward painfully. She only managed to stop when she reached the edge of the table. The director's words came just in time. Had they been delayed by a moment, Alex's hand would have been severely injured. "You're no match for him. Think carefully before you act next time," the director said, tossing a small tube of ointment toward her. Alex caught it. "I just wanted to have a friendly match," she replied, though there was a trace of reluctance in her voice. Since she had started working beside the director, Alex had rarely encountered anyone stronger than herself. Meeting someone of that caliber today naturally made her eager for a so-called "friendly match." Addison raised an eyebrow. This wasn't a friendly match at all. Alex's actions clearly carried a dangerous and lethal intent. Had Gordon been just a tad slower, he might have ended up with broken bones, and in the worst-case scenario, his life could have been at serious risk. "Sir, what's your opinion about the Fullers?" Addison cautiously began to speak. "I won't assist you. Leave now!" he remarked as he shoved Addison out of the room. Stumbling backward, Addison had no choice but to retreat step by step until she found herself completely out of the room and standing in the corridor. "I can't stand the Johnstons. They act kind when they need me, but the moment they don't, they cast me aside. I'd like to help Fullers confront the Johnstons," she muttered. Backing away, she added, "Don't you dislike the Johnstons too? Yarrow and I share the same objective. Let me outline my strategy for you. You'll definitely find it intriguing ... " Before she could finish her argument, a trembling voice reached her ears, interrupting her mid-sentence. "Addison ... do you really despise our family that much? Do you hate us enough to want to bring our downfall?" The voice was shaky, laced with an undeniable disbelief. Addison turned her head, her gaze landing on two figures standing just a yard away. Narrowing her eyes, she carefully studied their features, observing their expressions from their eyes to their lips. It was Marilyn and Lance. The words had come from Marilyn. Addison froze on the spot, feeling as though something had detonated in her mind. How could Marilyn possibly be here?