Addison picked up the note and raised an eyebrow. "Something came up? Not coming back?" Without a second thought, she reached for her phone and tried to call Leon. Her fingers scrolled through her contacts, up and down, checking again and again. But Leon's name was nowhere to be found. She paused, confusion settling in. It didn't take long for her to remember—after she left the Daves, she'd switched phones. All her old contacts, including Leon's, had vanished with the old number. Addison sighed and scratched her head. Without Leon's number, she had no way of getting in touch with him. She gave up for now and sat down, trying to shake off the feeling of uncertainty. But where had Leon gone? He had been up late the night before and left early this morning. What was so urgent that it pulled him out of bed before dawn? It didn't make sense. Leon had never been in Halton before, and surely, he would've asked her to show him around. Addison frowned, unable to make sense of it all. Just then, there was a knock on the door. She set her phone aside and shuffled over in her slippers to open it. The door creaked, and a cold breeze rushed in. Addison looked up and saw an older woman standing in the doorway. She looked to be in her forties, with visible wrinkles on her face, though she carried herself with grace. The weariness on her face didn't seem to take away from her calm, comforting presence. "Can I help you?" Addison asked. "I'm the nanny you hired," the woman said softly, her eyes darting nervously around. Addison blinked. "I didn't hire a nanny." She had mentioned it the day before, but she was so tired, she didn't remember much about what she had done or said. There was no way she'd have arranged for a nanny in the state she was in. The woman looked even more flustered. "You didn't? Then, um ... did I ... come to the wrong house?" Her gaze shifted as she scanned the area, as if looking for another address. But there was no other house in sight.Addison had heard about how the homes in this exclusive neighborhood were grand and beautiful, but she hadn't expected this one house to be the only one around. It felt like a secluded paradise, nestled in the mountains and by the water. The woman had worked as a nanny before, but never in a place so stunning—or with a woman as captivating as the one standing before her. The woman pulled at the hem of her coat, her voice trembling. "I ... I don't think I'm in the wrong place." Then, as if a thought occurred to her, she added, "Mr. Zimmer sent me." Ryan had sent her? That was fast. Addison had only mentioned it casually the day before, and now, here was the nanny, already at her door. Ryan really was going out of his way for her. Addison pursed her lips. "Alright, come in." The nanny stepped inside, her eyes taking in the vast, luxurious interior. Before even fully crossing the threshold, she asked, "Have you had breakfast? I can make something for you." Her eagerness was obvious. It was her first day, and she was determined to make a good impression. Addison didn't argue. She shut the door behind her and took a seat at the dining table. Her thoughts immediately went back to the previous night. Had she really told her uncle about performing surgery on Steven? Had she shared all the details about the old man's condition? A sense of dread settled over her. Her uncle, with his short fuse, wouldn't have gone to Johnston Enterprise's private hospital, would he? Addison didn't want him involved with anyone from the Johnstons. She had already spent too much time tangled in their affairs, and she certainly didn't want anyone else from the Daves family to get caught up in it because of her. The feeling of unease grew, and before she knew it, she was up, her heart pounding in her chest. She grabbed her wool coat off the hook and hurried to the door. When Leon had suggested that she seek her uncle's help for Steven, she had thought about it. Her clinical skills weren't as strong as her uncle's. With his expertise, and perhaps some of the Daves' secret remedies, Steven might have a chance.But then she remembered Virginia's words. Virginia had promised she could get the secret medicine and save Steven. What was the point in bothering her uncle when she already had a way? Addison shook her head. Steven's fate wasn't hers to decide anymore. She couldn't involve her uncle with the Johnstons. The pressure mounted, and she moved even faster. "Miss ... where are you going?" The nanny, who had just finished preparing breakfast, stepped into the living room when she heard Addison's hurried movements. She froze, holding a spatula, eyes wide as Addison rushed to put on her shoes. "Aren't you eating breakfast?" the nanny asked, confusion written all over her face. Addison paused for a second, then quickly replied, "Not now." She grabbed a yellow sticky note from the wall and quickly jotted down a phone number. "There's a guest room at the end of the hall to the right. You can stay there. You can move your things later. If you need help, call this number." She handed the note to the nanny and rushed out the door. ... At Johnston Enterprise's private hospital, things were quieter. The ICU was nearly empty, save for Steven, still lying unconscious in his bed. Outside the operating room, Virginia stood by the window, her face tense as she spoke on the phone. "Virginia, when are you going to the Daves'? I've already arranged the car," Lance's voice crackled over the line. Virginia sat down, her expression torn. Lance had called several times the day before, pushing her to go. She had managed to put him off each time. Lance, as always, was sharp and perceptive. Virginia's excuses had worked the day before, but she knew they wouldn't last much longer. If she kept trying to delay, she would only draw more attention to herself.It was becoming impossible to keep up the charade. Virginia bit her lip, her thoughts racing. She quickly replied, "I'll pack ... then I'll call Isaac ... " Lance, absorbed in his work, didn't catch any hint of trouble. One hand held the phone, while the other flicked through a stack of paperwork on his desk. The recent crisis with his grandfather had piled on extra work, and with the added complications from yesterday, Johnston Enterprise had been thrown into turmoil. He wasn't about to leave anytime soon. "Alright. Once you're ready, call me. Have Lana help you with anything you need." The line clicked, and Virginia set the phone down. Her frustration deepened as she stood, brows knitting together. "Ms. Dolton! I've brought help!" A voice called out from the hallway, accompanied by the sound of quick footsteps up the stairs. Virginia looked up, raising an eyebrow. Silas appeared first, his face lit with excitement. Right behind him came a middle-aged man, average in height, with an unremarkable build. His clothes were plain and ordinary. Virginia, already irritated, glanced at him and asked flatly, "Who is this?" Silas stopped in front of her, his voice eager. "He has the Daves' secret medicine!"