Virginia's arm was firmly grabbed by the man, preventing her from falling to the ground. In such a grand setting, Addison seemed far more graceful than she did. Compared to her, Virginia appeared pale in comparison and out of place. Lance, at this moment, found himself unexpectedly missing Addison. If it weren't for Virginia bringing this invitation, he never would have brought her here. But the fact was, she was already here, and there was no turning back. He had no choice but to continue. To maintain some dignity, Lance forced a polite smile onto his face. Leaning towards Virginia's ear with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, he murmured, "Focus." His tone was flat. Despite this, Virginia immediately recognized the underlying threat in his words. A flash of unease crossed her face, and she awkwardly smiled at the crowd. Virginia knew she was in the wrong, so she held her breath, not daring to speak, and nodded continuously. "Lance, I was nervous earlier and didn't notice. Don't worry; I'll pay attention from now on. I won't embarrass you. "I'll be careful; I promise I won't trip again." Virginia kept apologizing in a soft, careful tone, trying to calm Lance down. If she had known the dress would be this difficult to manage, she wouldn't have worn it, especially after spending all the money she had worked so hard to save. She regretted it deeply. Listening to Virginia's apologies, Lance felt a surge of irritation. But he couldn't let it show. He simply nodded indifferently and grunted as a way of reassuring her. Around them, people were holding wine glasses and eyeing the couple with curiosity. When they realized the two were unfamiliar, they quickly returned to their conversations. Members of these prominent families, naturally, held positions of significant importance. They looked down on people from smaller families, dismissing them as unworthy of their attention.So, when they saw Lance and Virginia, unfamiliar faces in the crowd, they didn't even bother to glance at them before returning to their own affairs. Lance walked aimlessly through the grand hall with Virginia, clearly out of place among the nobles. They didn't even spare them a second glance. Moreover, Virginia, dressed in such an extravagant gown, walked unsteadily, lacking the dignified grace that these people were used to. Anyone with a sharp eye could tell she had never been in such high society, and it was obvious they weren't from one of the prominent families of Kreshill. After walking a few steps, Lance signaled a nearby waiter and took two glasses of wine from his tray, handing one to Virginia. He took a sip from his own and surveyed the room. This invitation was hard-earned, and being able to attend such a high-profile event was a rare opportunity. If Johnston Enterprise could seize this chance, they might form partnerships with some of the influential families in Kreshill. Such alliances could only benefit the company. It would help Johnston Enterprise rise to new heights, possibly achieving things never before imagined. Lance was calculating in his mind. He had to make the most of this opportunity. People stood in small groups around the room, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious. He took another sip of wine, his eyes scanning the crowd for a suitable opening. The nearest group consisted of three men in suits, discussing the latest in pharmaceuticals. Lance had an idea. He took Virginia's arm from around his and gently removed it. Virginia, distracted by her surroundings, was startled by Lance's abrupt action. She looked up at him, confused. "Lance, what's wrong?" Lance spoke calmly, "You stay here and look around. I have some business to take care of." Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Virginia's face, and she agreed without hesitation, "Alright, you can count on me!"She had been worried about staying by Lance's side, unable to make her own mark. Now that he had let go, it was just the opportunity she had been waiting for. She was thrilled. Lance nodded and walked toward the three men. Before he had gone more than two steps, as if recalling something, he turned back. "Don't wander off. Don't talk to anyone. Just stand aside and eat something. I'll come find you soon." The message was clear: he didn't want Virginia to cause any trouble here. Given her personality, she could easily offend someone in this setting, and that could cause real problems. Virginia flashed a charming smile and nodded, "Don't worry, Lance. You go handle your things." Lance was reassured by her confident response. He took his wine and left without a second thought. Virginia stood there, watching his figure fade into the distance. As soon as he was out of sight, her expression shifted from slight anxiety to a cool indifference. She held her glass and surveyed the room. The dress had cost her a fortune, and she wasn't about to let it go to waste. She wasn't about to follow Lance's instructions and hide away in some corner. With her looks, wherever she went, she would be the center of attention. In the future, as his wife, she would have to attend many events like this. This could serve as valuable experience. She glanced around and saw a group of women nearby, dressed in gowns and adorned with expensive jewelry, moving with elegance. Without thinking, Virginia walked over. She smoothly stood next to them, almost as if she belonged. They were talking about drug formulas, a topic she didn't quite understand, but if they hadn't been so absorbed in their conversation, she might have inserted herself into it. One of the women noticed Virginia. Her smile faltered as she quickly gave her a once-over. After a moment, she spoke with a cool tone, "Excuse me, miss. Who are you?" The arrogance in her voice was unmistakable.Virginia easily picked up on the woman's dismissive tone but didn't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. Instead, she flashed a smile and answered, "I'm with the Daves. I'm here today with my grandfather." Years of practice of her acting had made Virginia a master at lying without batting an eye. "The Daves?" The woman furrowed her brow, clearly skeptical. When she thought of the Daves, she immediately thought of Kreshill's renowned medical family, one of the key figures at this symposium. "Yes." Virginia nodded without hesitation. Another woman, about 40 years old, spoke up, her tone much gentler than the first woman's. "You mean the Daves of Kreshill?" Virginia nodded again, "Exactly." The group around them stirred in surprise, though most didn't seem to fully believe her. Virginia, noticing their doubt, spoke calmly, "I'm sure you've never seen me before, and that's normal. I've mostly been studying herbs in the mountains and don't usually attend events like this. It's rare for you to see me here. "I'm only here today because my grandfather is getting older and didn't feel comfortable coming to Preigh on his own, so I accompanied him."