The director was puzzled, but considering his fondness for Greenhill ornitongue tea and the future of the hospital, he nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll sign the contract with Johnston." Addison made a faint sound in response. The call ended. Inside a quaint room where Lance stood in front of the director's desk, watching the man on the phone. The director set down his phone, picked up the authorization letter, and examined it carefully, sighing, "This authorization letter is actually real. "Didn't Addison swear she wouldn't give the authorization to the Johnstons? How did you still manage to get it? How did you do it?" His eyes twinkled with a mix of teasing and admiration. Yarrow Hospital only needed valid authorization to sign a contract. Since Addison had given the authorization to the Johnstons, it meant she still cared about them. As long as Addison cared, the Johnstons had value to Yarrow. Lance stood there, his face expressionless, showing no intention of responding. "Just sign it," he said tersely, his impatience evident. The director was not offended. Stroking his beard, he mused, "Well, after all, Addison is related to your family. It's not surprising you managed to get the authorization. "Besides Addison's lingering feelings for you and her memories of the past, there's no other reason your family would get the authorization again." Lance's expression shifted slightly. He knew Addison had agreed to give the authorization to his family because of her lingering feelings for him, and she did not want to see them go under. However, that was no reason for the director to question the Johnstons' integrity. His face showed a flash of anger as he said coldly, "Are you questioning us?" The director saw Lance's irritation, waved his hands dismissively, and replied with a smile, "No, no. "Your family's company is known as the top pharmaceutical company in Halton. Of course, I wouldn't underestimate it ... " After making his point, the director no longer looked at Lance. "Alex, bring me my seal and pen. I need to sign." Alex stood to the side and, upon hearing the request, retrieved a traditional seal and a sleek steel pen from the room. She placed both items on a tray and presented them to the director. The director took the seal and signed the simple authorization letter with practiced ease, then stamped it. Once all the formalities were completed, he picked up the document and handed it to Lance in front of him, "It's done." Lance slightly raised his eyelids, took the authorization letter, and briefly scanned its contents. The ink was still wet. The bright red seal stood out, marking the conclusion of the deal. After ensuring there were no issues, Lance held onto the letter. The director extended his hand to Lance with a kind smile, a stark contrast to his earlier indifference, now showing a cordial and gracious demeanor. Lance did not pay much mind to the director's sudden change in attitude. In this world, it was about survival of the fittest, where those with power had the liberty to dominate and manipulate. Lance had learned this harsh reality at a very young age. A subtle smile appeared on his face, not reaching his eyes but hinting at a deeper meaning. Holding the authorization letter in one hand, he lazily reached out with the other to briefly shake hands with the director, "Happy cooperation." He was aware of the harsh truths of power, but that did not mean his family was there to be exploited. He had not forgotten the past mistreatment his family had suffered at Yarrow Hospital. ... Lance exited the white building where the director was based, holding the authorization letter. Virginia was waiting by the car in a long dress, shivering from the cold. When she saw Lance emerge, she quickly walked over. "Lance, how did it go? Did the dean sign?""Yes," Lance responded. "That's wonderful. The Johnstons have really pulled through this crisis!" Virginia exclaimed, her expression brimming with genuine happiness. This time, Lance did not head towards the car. He stopped in front of Virginia and asked casually, "Are you really that happy?" "Absolutely! The Johnston Enterprise has made it through the crisis!" Virginia's smile was infectious. Lance looked at her beaming face, and for a moment, he was taken back to a similar smile from a long-ago summer. The same smile lit her eyes, yet Lance suddenly felt that the smile he was seeing now was not quite the same as the one he remembered ... Without realizing it, his brow creased. Had he really seen Virginia first thing after he was rescued from the water as a child? "Lance?" Virginia noticed his momentary lapse into thought, toned down her smile, and waved her hand in front of him. "Lance, what's on your mind?" His expression was not one of someone relieved from lifting a heavy burden; it was more somber than before. Virginia had a sinking feeling. Lance came back to the present, "It's nothing." She frowned, feeling sure that she knew Lance well enough to recognize that something was weighing on him, despite his reassurances. Yet, she could not find the courage to probe further, so she swallowed the words she wanted to say. Lance's expression was icy, and after giving Virginia one final glance, his eyes clouded with doubt. Am I overthinking? If not Virginia, then who?He brushed aside his uncertainties and turned to leave. "Lance, where are you headed now?" Virginia caught him turning away and quickly called out. The Johnstons were teetering on the brink, with the authorization about to expire, risking bankruptcy. Lance had spent the entire day at Johnston Enterprise's office, dealing with the crisis. It had been a long time since Virginia had had the chance to be alone with Lance. Now that the crisis was resolved, she was determined to use every opportunity to spend time alone with him and win his heart. "I'm going to find Addison." These words set Virginia off. "Lance, why are you going to find Addison?" She asked, following him closely, step by step, unwilling to give up. "To invite her to a meal," Lance replied, striding ahead in his black wool coat with a fur collar and a sleek black cashmere sweater underneath. His typically cold demeanor was accentuated by the sharp, stylish coat. "Lance, can you not go?" Virginia's voice was tinged with desperation. She had voiced this plea before, and Lance had heard it just as many times. Perhaps out of impatience, Lance suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, "Virginia, can you please stop being unreasonable?" Was he calling her unreasonable over Addison? Virginia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Addison helped my family through a tough time, so naturally, I'm inviting her to a meal. While we don't need your help, you should at least behave appropriately, understand?" As he spoke, Virginia's lips quivered, turning a slight shade of blue from the cold. However, Lance was not done yet. "When will you ever grow up?" he added. In the chilly wind, his presence seemed colder than ever, with Virginia's pale face reflected in his dark, penetrating eyes.She was utterly humiliated. Lance's words felt like ice daggers thrown straight at Virginia.