Addison smiled faintly as she unbuckled her seatbelt. After opening the car door, she stepped out. Ryan had parked their car in the exact spot Lance had used earlier. When Addison exited the vehicle, the lingering scent of cigarette smoke hit her. The aroma was strong but oddly not unpleasant, carrying a faint, familiar smokiness. Her brows furrowed as she glanced down at the ground, expecting to find a discarded cigarette butt. Yet there was nothing. The scent, however, was unmistakably similar to the cigarettes Lance smoked regularly. Addison knew his smoking habits well. He only smoked when his mood was sour. Otherwise, he avoided cigarettes completely, as if they were an unwelcome invader. It was no secret he disliked them at heart. Pressing her lips together, she looked around, her mind piecing together clues. The faint aroma and the fleeting glimpse of a license plate she had noticed from the car earlier painted a clear picture. Lance had been here, and he'd lit a cigarette. She couldn't tell if he actually smoked it or just let it burn. However, the act alone spoke volumes. He only lit cigarettes when he was agitated. Is Lance in a bad mood? I've already handed the authorization to Marilyn. The Johnstons' biggest issue had been resolved. He should have been ecstatic, not depressed. Shaking her head, Addison sighed inwardly. His emotions were as unpredictable as the wind. "Is something wrong, Dr. Daves?" Ryan's voice broke her train of thought. He stood beside her, watching her with a hint of concern. Snapping out of her reverie, she replied, "It's nothing. Just that Lance was here." "Lance was here?" Ryan's previously good mood soured almost instantly. "What's he doing here? Isn't the power of attorney already given to the Johnstons?" he asked, his expression carrying a trace of displeasure that he barely concealed. Addison shook her head. "I don't know." Although Lance's actions were no longer any of her business, it was evident he had come to Pendomium Heights looking for her. She couldn't help but let her thoughts wander."Dr. Daves, it's windy outside. Maybe you should head inside first," Ryan suggested. His concern was genuine as he glanced at her thin sweater, which hardly seemed enough to fend off the chill. He was worried that Addison would stay outside for a long time and would catch a cold tomorrow morning. Furthermore, Ryan didn't want her to think about Lance any longer than necessary. After a brief pause, Addison nodded. Taking one last look at the parking space near the entrance, she said, "Alright, I'll go in first. Drive safely." Ryan watched as she walked inside. He remained by the car, only leaving after seeing the light flicker on in her second-floor office. ... The next morning, the laboratory buzzed with quiet focus. Addison stood in her pristine white lab coat, thick safety goggles perched on her face. She carefully observed the bacteria in a petri dish, her attention unwavering. Beside her, Ryan worked in seamless rhythm, holding an experiment logbook. Every 15 minutes, he recorded data on the bacteria's growth. Their teamwork was precise and efficient, the silence between them unbroken until a sudden, insistent knock shattered the calm. Addison furrowed her eyebrows, halting her work. Seeing this, Ryan quickly set the experiment logbook aside and jogged to open the door. As the door creaked open, Ryan was met with a stern-looking bodyguard clad in black. Ryan's brow furrowed deeply. "Didn't we make it clear that Dr. Daves doesn't like being disturbed during experiments?" The bodyguard immediately apologized, his tone steady yet respectful. "I'm very sorry, but someone at the entrance insists on seeing Dr. Daves. We've tried everything to stop them, but they refuse to leave and are determined to come in." "Someone's here to see me?" Addison asked, her head lifting at the commotion. She carefully set down the lab equipment in her hands. "It's a man in a suit," the bodyguard reported, his tone slightly uneasy. He paused, recalling the man's features. "He's quite good-looking, but his demeanor is intimidating." "A man in a suit?" Ryan didn't hesitate for a second before a name popped into his mind. Lance. Has Lance found this laboratory? Addison frowned. "I'm in the middle of an experiment. Tell him I'm not available." The bodyguard's expression grew more awkward. "I've told him that multiple times, but he won't listen." Ryan's irritation bubbled to the surface. "What's this? Dr. Daves hired you, and you can't even stop one man from barging in?" Hearing Ryan's angry tone, the bodyguard straightened immediately. "Everyone's doing their best to hold him back, but the man in a suit is just too fierce. He brought a group of bodyguards. There's just too many of them, and we can't stop him," he explained. "Brought a group of bodyguards?" Addison blinked, momentarily stunned. The audacity was so similar to Lance. He was the kind of man who left no room for retreat, even in the smallest matters. The bodyguard nodded firmly. "Yes, and those bodyguards are massive. One of my teammates was injured when they forced their way in." Ryan's frown deepened as he turned to Addison. "Dr. Daves, should we let him in?" Addison sighed, her brows knitted in frustration. She didn't need to guess. There was an 80% chance it was Lance causing the ruckus outside. "Let him in," she said after a moment. "Oh, right! That man brought a woman with him." He hesitated briefly, almost adding that she was rather pretty but decided against it. Instead, he quickly made his exit, likely eager to avoid another clash with Lance's formidable entourage. Addison stood rooted to the spot, mulling over the new detail that the man was accompanied by a woman. Her brow arched slightly. "Does Virginia come along too?" Is she Lance's shadow? She always follows him wherever he goes. "Dr. Daves, do you know them?" Ryan asked, glancing back at her. Addison nodded, but before she could elaborate, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. A moment later, the door swung open. She looked up instinctively. A tall figure stepped in, his sharp features exuding an icy intensity that seemed to chill the air in the lab. Sure enough, it was Lance. Her gaze drifted past him to the woman following close behind, Virginia. She surveyed the lab with her carefully composed expression of arrogance, just like an empress appraising her domain. "Isn't this supposed to be an internationally renowned lab? The facilities here are just ... mediocre," Virginia sneered, her tone laced with mockery. Addison didn't bother to respond. Her attention shifted back to Lance. "Lance, do you always barge in without an invitation?" Before Lance could reply, Virginia cut in sharply, "What do you mean by ‘without an invitation'?" Lance's brows furrowed. He immediately grabbed Virginia's arm and moved her behind him, his frustration evident. "If you can't behave, then leave." Virginia's lips clamped shut. She had already angered Lance the day before, and coming to the lab today had taken a great deal of pleading on her part. She was determined not to let Addison, whom she suspected of trying to charm Lance, get away with it. Satisfied that Virginia had finally quieted down, Lance looked back at Addison. "You're right. I wasn't invited. I hope you don't mind." Addison raised an eyebrow. Since when does Lance have such a good attitude? "I came today to invite you to a meal to show my gratitude for everything you've done for the Johnstons." "No need," Addison replied instantly, her tone crisp and decisive.