"For the Johnstons, I am willing to give up my pride!" Marilyn's voice was shaky and broken. Her body was trembling faintly as well. Lance furrowed his brow. With a cold expression, he attempted to pull her away from Addison, but she suddenly seemed to gain immense strength, as though she had become as heavy as a mountain. He found it hard to move her. "Addison, please, I am begging you ... " At this moment, Marilyn clung to the last sliver of her sanity, like someone drowning and reaching for any hope. Addison remained motionless. She had never witnessed Marilyn in such a state. As the lady of the Johnstons, she had always been a figure of immense authority in the elite social circle of Halton. Every day, she moved through different party venues, radiating with the brilliance of a star. From head to toe, she was always flawless, surrounded by banquets, lights, flowers, and applause, as though all of it was simply meant for her. But now, Marilyn ... There was no sign of her usual glamour at the event. She had become incredibly modest. Something indescribable filled Marilyn's gaze, a weight so overwhelming that Addison couldn't bear to meet her eyes for too long. She feared that if she stared any longer, her conscience would grow heavier, and her already fragile thoughts would fall apart entirely. "Addison, please, say something ... " Marilyn's voice echoed in her ears. Addison clenched her brows tightly, her gaze fixed ahead, anxiety gnawing at her. Why hadn't Gordon shown up yet? She felt like she couldn't hold on much longer. "Mom, Addison won't help us." Lance stood in the shadows, his voice cold yet determined."Let's go home." But Marilyn refused to believe it. "Addison isn't like that. She will help us." She muttered to herself, "No, no, the Johnstons will overcome this crisis." Lance's gaze was filled with complexity, as if he'd reached the end of his patience. "We're going back to Johnston Residence now! "Do you want to bring shame to our family in front of Yarrow, with all these people around?" Marilyn shook her head, seemingly ignoring his words. "I'm not leaving." Having run out of patience, Lance rose and signaled to the bodyguard nearby. "Take Mom to the car," his voice left no room for discussion, carrying an air of command. The bodyguard swiftly moved to Marilyn's side. Out of nowhere, a tall figure stepped in front of them, extending his arm to grab Marilyn. This sudden action startled Addison, who furrowed her brow. The man yanked Marilyn toward him, trying to pull her away. It was a harsh and forceful motion. The bodyguard tightly gripped Marilyn's hand, and Addison could see the red marks forming on her pale wrist. "Lance, what are you doing? "How can you treat Marilyn like this? She's your mother!" Watching Marilyn being handled so roughly filled her with an indescribable fury. After all, Marilyn was his mother. How could he stand by and let the bodyguard treat her this way? Addison's heart ached deeply. She rushed forward, attempting to pull Marilyn away from the bodyguard's firm hold, desperate to free her from his grip. However, it was clear that, in comparison to the powerful bodyguard, she was as powerless as a blade of grass. Her efforts were pointless in front of the bodyguard, as if she were simply brushing off an annoyance, which was ridiculous. The bodyguard brought Marilyn before Lance."How should I treat her?" Lance's gaze was harsh. "How I handle my mom is not your concern," he responded with irritation. "Lance!" Addison was frantic. How could it not be her concern? She had spent so much time living with Marilyn, assisting with her daily needs. For three years, she had been by Marilyn's side, aiding in her mental recovery. After spending so much time together, Marilyn had become like a mother to her. How could she just stand by and let Lance treat Marilyn this way? She scolded, "Lance, you're violating the values of the Johnstons! Have you forgotten your family's teachings? Someone like you, who goes against those values, is a true disgrace to the Johnstons!" Lance's stare grew more intense at her words, and he muttered, "The Johnstons' teachings? "Someone who resorts to dishonorable tactics to harm the Johnstons doesn't deserve to speak of its teachings!" Hearing his harsh words, Addison frowned and replied firmly, "These are two separate issues. "Don't mix them up." Lance appeared to find this humorous, almost with a sense of mockery. "What a 'don't mix them up.'" Once he said that, he seemed uninterested in continuing the conversation and simply ignored her. He looked down at Marilyn, gently taking her from the bodyguard's grip. "Mom, let's go." The bodyguards at the Johnstons typically understood what should be done and what should not be done, with a clear sense of judgment. Lance still trusted the bodyguards. He was confident they knew how to manage the situation. They wouldn't truly treat Marilyn harshly. However, Marilyn appeared to disregard his deliberately softened tone, stubbornly shaking her head. "No, I'm not going." She couldn't bear the thought of the Johnstons being ruined by her. She just couldn't, not at all.Lance's expression grew stern. He was someone who lacked patience and never repeated himself. Today, he had already said it multiple times, but Marilyn refused to listen. His patience had completely worn thin. Despite Marilyn's status, he held back his frustration. "Addison won't help you. Why can't you understand? "Everything that happened today was orchestrated by her. How could she possibly help you?" Before Marilyn could respond, he subtly glanced at the bodyguard beside him. The bodyguard immediately understood his cue. He stepped forward, grabbing Marilyn once more and attempting to force her into the car. Addison frowned, but there was nothing she could do. She could only watch, feeling helpless and anxious. She watched closely as the bodyguard moved, anxious that he might harm Marilyn. In the dim light, she noticed the faint glisten of sweat on Marilyn's forehead, shimmering slightly beneath the lamp. Addison's mind raced with concern, realizing the situation was becoming serious. She narrowed her eyes and studied Marilyn from afar, unsure if what she had seen was accurate due to the distance. Taking a few unsteady steps forward, she finally confirmed her suspicions. She hadn't been wrong. Marilyn had sweat dripping down her forehead, her lips quivering, and her knees were starting to buckle. This is the warning sign of a relapse. "Lance, release Marilyn!" The urgency of the moment left no room for hesitation. Addison rushed towards Marilyn without thinking. However, Lance stepped in her path. "Stop pretending to care," he snapped.Addison scowled, too exhausted to waste time arguing with him. She attempted to shove him aside, but he remained firm. "Lance, Marilyn is in danger! She's already displaying symptoms of early relapse! If you don't stop now, it will be too late!" But Lance refused to believe her.