At that point, Tobias realized that not only would this small symposium be affected, but even Preigh would be in danger if things went wrong. He could see Leon's unwavering determination, his resolve clear in his eyes—he would stop at nothing until Addison was found. Tobias now understood that Addison's status in the Daves was more significant than he had imagined. His opposition seemed pointless in comparison, like trying to break a rock with an egg—completely futile. Unable to keep resisting any longer, Tobias quickly shifted his stance, avoiding eye contact. "If you really want to search, it's not impossible," he conceded. Tobias' eyes briefly flickered with a subtle hint of flattery, though it was barely noticeable. He surrendered. "I have no objections whatsoever to the Daves carrying out a thorough search!" he declared with firm assurance, as though pledging his loyalty. "I am more than happy to assist with the Daves' investigation. Please, feel free to search however you see fit, without any concerns for my feelings." He spoke softly, his tone now a stark contrast to his earlier attitude. "Oh? Is that so?" Leon's lips curled into a smile, amusement in his eyes. Quite shrewd. With just a few words, Leon had made Tobias grasp the gravity of the situation, leading him to make the wisest decision. At such a crucial moment in the search for Addison, anyone who stood against the Daves would be nothing short of foolish. Tobias was sharp. His lips curved slightly. Though the words of praise hadn't yet left his mouth, Tobias spoke again. "But ... even if I agree, you can't just disregard my fate." Leon raised an eyebrow in confusion."If I consent to help the Daves, the only outcome for me will be ruin ... " This statement left Leon puzzled. What could the Daves' search possibly have to do with his fate? Leon's eyelids twitched slightly, his tone flat as he spoke, "Ruined? If we don't find Addy today, you'll also be ruined." With that, he turned away, leaving Tobias, who looked defeated, behind. Dealing with Tobias had already taken up too much time. Initially, Leon believed that deploying such a large force into someone else's territory would be impolite and unethical. Leon had intended to calm Tobias down and reduce his losses, at the very least ensuring that the Daves didn't appear to be "bullying" anyone. But this man was proving to be more irritating than expected. Leon had no intention of wasting more time with him. He quickened his steps, and just as he reached the door, a bodyguard from the Daves hurried in from outside. The bodyguard, though panting heavily, maintained a rigid posture, exuding a disciplined, military demeanor. "Dr. Daves, all personnel have assembled outside and are awaiting your instructions," he reported. "We've secured the area completely—nothing can slip through. Just give the word, and we'll begin the operation." Leon gave an approving nod, his expression revealing his satisfaction with the preparations. "Excellent," he replied curtly, his determination unwavering as he picked up his pace. Tobias was left scrambling to keep up, his voice tinged with desperation as he hurried after Leon. "There are countless influential guests at this symposium. As a humble host, I truly can't risk offending them all ... "Could you at least consider offering some reasonable compensation for the losses I'm bound to suffer ... "Just think of it as an act of kindness ... " Tobias' voice trembled, his desperation growing.The mere thought of his mounting losses made his chest tighten as if it were ablaze. The main draw of the symposium—Divine Healer—was now unwilling to appear. Scores of influential nobles had paid exorbitantly, their sole intent being to witness the renowned healer in person, only to leave empty-handed. When these disappointed guests inevitably demanded answers, what could Tobias possibly say? Where would he find the dignity to face them? And how could he ever hope to organize another symposium after such a colossal embarrassment? No one would trust him again, and some might even insist on getting their money back. The tickets for this symposium had been auctioned at exorbitant prices. People had paid such a premium, only to leave without meeting the one person they had come for ... Tobias could already foresee the fallout. Perhaps his business would collapse under the weight of a ruined reputation. Money had always been his sole ambition, his driving force in life. After years of relentless pursuit, he had finally built up some wealth. Yet, because of "Addy," it was all slipping through his fingers. Everything he had worked for—gone. Absolutely gone. Tobias, feeling uneasy, pressed on despite the sting in his chest, trailing closely behind Leon. The agony of watching everything slip away while being powerless to stop it was unbearable. His hard-earned money—gone, consumed by a relentless, searing pain. "Rest assured, the Daves will fully compensate your losses," Leon said calmly. "Really?!" Tobias' sorrow instantly gave way to delight as he quickened his pace to keep up. His eyes sparkled with renewed hope. The Daves truly lived up to their name! Wealthy and powerful! ... Addison had been pounding on the door for what felt like an eternity, her arms aching from the effort. This door's quality was ridiculous—sturdy to the point that her strength couldn't make enough noise to attract attention.Curiously examining its surface, she realized it was likely made of rosewood. No wonder its soundproofing was over the top. A small, absurd thought crossed her mind: if she ever managed to escape, she'd have to install a door like this in her place. If Lance showed up at the mansion looking for her again, she wouldn't even notice the knock. Let him wait outside in the freezing wind. It was a thought that almost made her smile. But after a brief lapse in focus, Addison's mind shifted back to her present predicament. She was confused—given how soundproof the door was, how could she make enough noise to grab the attention of those in the symposium? Addison scanned her surroundings. There was nothing but everyday items nearby, no useful tools to help. Determined to find something that could make a noise, she even searched every inch of the dressing room. Everything in the room was fixed in place, except for the stool in the center that could be moved. With few choices available, Addison quickly grabbed the stool. It was much heavier than she expected. The weight of the stool surprised her, far beyond what she had imagined. Addison struggled to lift it at first, nearly losing her balance and falling. What was this made of? Why was it so heavy? It felt heavier than a brick ... she grumbled inwardly. Taking a deep breath and gathering her strength, she braced herself and tried again. This time, she managed to lift it, though she had to pause halfway and take a step before she could move it at all. After much effort, Addison finally managed to drag the stool to the door. Despite the high price of the fragrant rosewood, she didn't hesitate.According to the schedule, it was nearly time for her grandfather to appear, and she needed to leave quickly if she wanted to catch up. Without a second thought, she mustered all her strength and hurled the heavy stool at the door like a projectile. The stool struck the door with a resounding "bang," followed by a loud thud. The impact left a noticeable dent in the door, and the sound made Addison flinch. She hadn't anticipated it would be so loud. Surely, someone must have heard that noise, right? She sat down, holding her breath and waiting for someone to approach. But as she waited, a sharp pain suddenly shot through her hand. She looked down in surprise. Her hand was pale, smooth, and delicate. In the light of the dressing room, the almost translucent skin revealed faint blue veins beneath the surface. In sharp contrast to her fair skin, a wound had appeared. She had applied too much pressure earlier, causing the wound to reopen, and fresh blood began to flow from her hand once more. The bright red hue was almost blinding, striking her eyes painfully. Addison gritted her teeth and bore the pain in silence, her attention fixed on the door. However, despite her wait, no one came.