Lance noticed the confusion on her face. He raised an eyebrow, thinking Addison was just putting on an act for him. "What do you think I mean?" he asked, a little annoyed. "What kind of man am I talking about?" He didn't want to be too harsh with his words or embarrass Addison too much. Lance was suppressing his emotions, trying to save Addison's face. The confusion on Addison's face deepened. "How am I supposed to know what you're talking about?" His words were vague and unclear. How was she supposed to respond? "If you're just trying to make conversation, there are plenty of guests outside. Why don't you go talk to them?" As soon as she said that, Lance's expression darkened. What Addison didn't realize was that her casual remark had hit Lance right where it hurt the most. As Addison had pointed out, the guests outside were plentiful, moving about in a constant flow. Smiles graced every face, and the atmosphere was warm and lively. But amidst this seemingly perfect harmony, he felt out of place. The elite families of Kreshill, each with their noses in the air, couldn't even be bothered to spare a glance at families from other cities. For someone like Lance—a powerful and commanding force in Halton, used to getting whatever he wanted—this was especially unsettling. Anyone who stood in the way of the Johnston family's would be crushed like an ant with just the lift of Lance's finger. But here, he had become the ant—someone others could crush effortlessly with a flick of their hand. He refused to accept it. And yet, he had just experienced this harsh reality firsthand. He had no choice but to face it.The feeling of falling from heaven to hell wasn't something an ordinary person could endure. Overwhelmed by the swirl of emotions in his heart, he could only retreat to a quiet corner to catch his breath. To his surprise, he hadn't even been sitting there for long when Addison followed him, arriving at this secluded terrace. "What's wrong with you?" Addison asked, watching Lance's face shift between pale and flushed, his expressions constantly changing. She couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Could he be sick? Otherwise, why would he be talking in such a jumbled, confusing way? And now that she looked closer, his complexion didn't seem great either. With that thought, Addison couldn't help but ask, "You're not sick, are you?" Is she worried about me? A flicker of surprise flashed in Lance's eyes. His first instinct was resistance and disgust. But that thought lasted only a moment before it was replaced by something else. To his surprise, he found himself feeling ... a sense of relief. Addison's autumn-like eyes gazed at him, and for some reason, he thought he saw traces of concern and worry in them. A flicker of comfort warmed his heart, and the suffocating frustration from the crushing gap he had felt earlier began to ease slightly. Addison was an orphan, and she had married into the Johnston family alone, with no one to rely on. The elites of Halton looked down on her, and even though she attended events as his wife, many still secretly and openly belittled her. Lance knew all of this. He had even heard some of the things said about her. But he didn't care at all and just regarded those words that belittled Addison as a joke from those elites. But now, Lance's feelings were more complicated.The current me, aren't I just like Addison back then? Both of them looked down by the proud and arrogant elite. He couldn't help but think, Addison must have felt awful back then. After experiencing all of this personally today, he felt as if he was there and could understand Addison's feelings. A flicker of sympathy and guilt passed through his mind. "You ... " Lance wanted to speak. But before he could say anything, the woman unexpectedly cut in. "If you're sick, just go to the hospital. Don't stay here," she said coldly, with a hint of irritation if you listened closely. She didn't want to catch whatever illness he might have. "And this isn't the place for you. The elites of Kreshill won't tolerate outsiders. "As for Divine Healer, even if you have an invitation and managed to get in, that doesn't mean you'll get to meet him," Addison said quietly, unintentionally poking at Lance's "wound." She wasn't aware that she was reopening old scars for him, she simply thought it was important to remind him. As soon as he finished speaking, Lance's slightly relaxed expression froze on his face. What is she trying to say? Is she mocking me? Mocking me for not being worthy of being in Kreshill? Lance took a few deep breaths, feeling a surge of anger rise in his chest. He had just been feeling sorry for her, thinking she had been wronged ... But now ... He couldn't believe it. A sneer crossed his face. So he was the one being played like a fool. The woman before him wore an air of indifference, showing no trace of needing his pity. Lance let out a cold laugh. Of course, Addison was always surrounded by men wherever she went. How could she need his sympathy?Moreover, the way she spoke, the way she carried herself, with such a sense of superiority, as though she were one of Kreshill's elite, irritated him. Who gave her the right? At that moment, Lance felt as though he had been humiliated. He clenched his jaw, forcing down his anger as he asked, "Do you really not understand what I'm saying?" "I don't," Addison replied firmly, without hesitation. She truly had no idea what Lance meant by "that man." "Fine." Lance's tone were sharp, almost like he was grinding his teeth. He said, very clearly, "Let me ask you this. Are you living with another man?" Since Addison didn't care about her reputation, he wouldn't hold back either. He'd bring all those dirty matters out in the open. "What?" Addison's face went pale with shock at his words. Living with another man? Was he serious? How could that even be possible? Without thinking, she quickly denied it, "Of course not." Seeing how quickly she denied it, a cold sneer appeared on Lance's face. "How long have you been practicing lying? "To lie so effortlessly without a change in expression—impressive skill." Addison, who usually didn't get riled up, felt a flicker of anger stir within her at his words. She was about to speak, but Lance cut her off. "When I came to the villa asking for the invitation, you swore you didn't have one. So how did you end up here today? "Still lying?" Lance's eyes locked onto Addison, filled with nothing but disappointment. "I ... " Addison was at a loss for words. When Lance came to her, she truly didn't have the invitation, and she didn't want to attend the event in the first place. So, of course, she had to turn him down. Before she could respond, Lance spoke again, his voice sharp, "You knew that invitation could save Grandpa's life, yet you still refused to give it to me. "You even lied to me, saying you didn't have an invitation. "How could you be so heartless?" Lance's words came at her one after another, leaving Addison no room to speak. "I told you, I really didn't have the invitation at the time. Why would I lie to you?" Addison furrowed her brow. He was throwing such heavy accusations at her, one after the other. But no matter how much she swore her innocence, Lance was consumed by his anger, and he wasn't hearing a word she said. Seeing that Lance was completely uninterested in hearing her out, Addison decided she was done arguing. "Even if I did lie, I have the invitation, and I don't want to give it to you. It's my right. I don't have an obligation to give you the invitation." Just because it was important to Steven, did that mean she had to give it to the Johnston family? Why should she? The invitation was hers to give or withhold as she pleased. Lance was completely trying to guilt-trip her.