"Please stand up. You shouldn't be doing this ... " Addison was shocked to see Marilyn dropping down on her knees, at a loss for what to do. Marilyn is Harvey's mom; it is unthinkable for her to behave this way! It is absolutely wrong. Besides, Addison has always considered Marilyn like her own mother. So, how could a mother do this to her daughter? This act is Marilyn's way of showing gratitude for the past three years of care and guidance. Addison could not accept it. Her mind was already in turmoil, and Addison felt an intense pang of heartache. The heartache stemmed from Marilyn. Marilyn's willingness to do this dramatic act for the sake of the Johnstons overwhelmed her, leaving her helpless and unsure of how to handle such selflessness. "Marilyn, please stop! I can't accept this. I really can't ... " However, Marilyn seemed not to hear, staying on the ground and unwilling to rise. Tears in her eyes, she said, "Addison, I can't let the Johnstons fall on my watch. I just can't ... " As Marilyn clutched Addison's clothes, her other hand hit herself as if blaming her own incompetence. "We barely got through that last crisis. Now ... we can't afford another mistake," Marilyn said, tears streaming down her aged cheeks. "Marilyn, please get up!" Addison stepped back, trying to pull her up. However, Marilyn refused, clinging to Addison's skirt, "Addison, I can't." "Please, spare the Johnstons. Please ... " she sobbed, her words broken by tears. Even the most hardened heart would melt seeing Marilyn in such a state. Especially Addison, who knew the once vibrant Marilyn, now reduced to tears, the sight was too much for her. "Marilyn, stand up. Let's talk," Addison pleaded, signaling to Gordon, who was nearby for help. "Gordon, come help!" Addison called out.Initially hesitant, Gordon snapped to attention at Addison's request and hurried over. He tried lifting Marilyn, who resisted his efforts. Gordon reached for her arm, but Marilyn skillfully dodged, complicating the situation. Frowning, Gordon glanced at Addison for guidance. Accustomed to the straightforwardness of military life, where physical contact came without the nuances required here, Gordon felt out of his element. Marilyn was a respected woman, not one of his army comrades, and he knew better than to handle her roughly. Seeing Marilyn's continued resistance, Addison knew what she had to do. With a determined look, she knelt down sharply beside Marilyn, causing a soft thud as she hit the ground. Marilyn jumped at the sudden thud, lifting her gaze to see Addison on her knees before her in a pure white dress. The dress, due to the pressure, was completely wrinkled. The fine fabric, already delicate, was now utterly spoiled by such careless kneeling. This dress was effectively destroyed. "Marilyn, if you don't stand, I'll stay here with you," Addison declared firmly. Addison could not stand seeing Marilyn on her knees. "Um ... " Marilyn was taken aback. Addison's actions completely disrupted her expectations. "If you don't stand, I'll stay here on the ground with you," Addison continued, her voice full of resolve. Marilyn slowly let go of Addison's dress. Seeing Addison's resolute demeanor, she held back her tears and earnestly asked, "Are you really unwilling to help the Johnston family?" "This is the first and last time I will ask this," Marilyn stated firmly. Addison echoed the phrase silently, "The first and last time?"It was not the first time, though. Three years ago, during a crisis at the Johnston family, it was her intervention that helped them. Addison thought ruefully that Marilyn probably believed they had survived that crisis due to her son, Lance. However, it did not matter. She never intended for the Johnstons to know, especially not Marilyn. Addison remained silent, looking downward. "You don't want to help the Johnston family, do you?" Marilyn said, not waiting for a response, already understanding Addison's stance. She sighed. Fine. All hope seemed lost as Marilyn composed herself, seemingly making a tough decision. "I acted impulsively just now," she admitted. Taking a deep breath, she added, "I owe you an apology," acknowledging that her recent actions had put Addison in a tough spot. Addison, taken aback by Marilyn's sudden acceptance, opened her mouth to speak, "Marilyn, you ... " "I just feel sorry for the Johnstons, and even more for Lance's father ... " Marilyn continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "And his brother ... "I should have told you about Lance's brother, right? The Johnston family business was his life's work before he passed ... " Marilyn choked up as she spoke, her voice trailing off into silence. Addison suddenly heard Harvey's name from Marilyn's mouth, and her heart skipped a beat. She tightened her grip on the brooch in her hand. She knew this was Harvey's life's work ... And now she was involved with the potential downfall of the Johnston family business and Harvey's legacy ... Tears welled up in Addison's eyes as she remembered Harvey again, despite her efforts to forget him.Marilyn, seeing Addison's silence, reached out to wipe the tears from her face, her gaze shifting to the movement in Addison's hands. In Addison's hand was a small brooch, delicate, flipping between her slender fingers. She looked closely. The brooch looks so familiar. Isn't this Harvey's? Marilyn's pupils dilated as she leaned in to get a better look at the brooch, confirming her suspicion. "Addison, how do you have this brooch?" She asked, her voice filled with doubt. Addison quickly hid the brooch behind her back, wiping away the tears that had spilled over. "This brooch ... " Marilyn noticed Addison's evasive actions, her confusion deepening. "Addison, my son also has one of these brooches," she stated. Addison, caught off guard, feigned ignorance, "Are you saying Lance has one too?" Marilyn shook her head earnestly. "No, not Lance. "It's Harvey," Marilyn's voice held a note of certainty. Addison's grip on the brooch tightened further. "Do you know Harvey?" Marilyn realized the significance of the brooch in Addison's hand. She shook her head, retracting her initial query. The connection between Addison and Harvey was clearly not just a simple friendship.