Virginia was basking in her inner joy when she heard the heavy footsteps of a man approaching. The man's tall silhouette stretched over the ground, casting a shadow that engulfed Virginia in darkness. A shiver ran down her spine, and she instinctively looked up to see Lance, dressed in a suit and looking displeased. His expression was tense, his brows slightly knitted, signaling he was in a foul mood. Virginia's heart tightened, puzzled by Lance's grim demeanor. She quickly toned down her previously smug attitude and adopted an innocent smile. "Lance!" Her voice was sweet, feigning surprise and pleasure at seeing Lance. Unmoved by her apparent joy, Lance stared at her with a cold, detached gaze. "What did you do?" His voice was flat, carrying a heavy dose of disdain. Before he had left, he had explicitly instructed Virginia not to stir up any trouble at the event. Virginia paused for a moment, shocked. Her mind raced with images of her earlier scuffle with a group of ladies from Kreshill that had escalated into a physical altercation. She thought he would not notice. The moment of panic was brief, and she quickly regained her composure. Perhaps Lance had not witnessed the incident. She could not afford to foolishly confess. With feigned innocence, Virginia shook her head. "I-I didn't do anything." "No?" Lance's gaze was piercing, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's. The nagging words of a concerned woman echoed in his ears."Why are you dilly-dallying when Virgina is being bullied? Why don't you go find Virginia?" After seeing Addison off, he had first visited the Daves' doctor, only to be turned away as he had anticipated. Rejected, he had immediately rushed to find Virginia, not wasting a moment, driven by a fear that she might actually be in trouble. Being in Preigh and not Halton, if something were to happen, or if she inadvertently offended someone, he realized he would not be able to protect her as he could back in Halton. His search had been frantic and prolonged; he had almost started to believe he would not find her. Then, he spotted Virginia. She was lounging on a dark red leather couch, radiant in a stunning dress. With a glass of wine in one hand and her legs crossed, her feet shod in white satin-like high heels, her toes idly wiggling, she looked completely at ease. There was no hint of someone who had been bullied. In fact, her demeanor suggested she might be the one doing the bullying. It was this sight that soured Lance's expression, prompting him to ask her sharply if she had caused any trouble. How could someone who had been bullied still wear such a carefree smile? Yet, Virginia seemed oblivious to Lance's mounting irritation, maintaining an innocent and somewhat wronged expression. "I really haven't caused any trouble. Lance, don't you believe me?" Lance's face remained stoic. "I have never been to such an upscale event before. Surrounded by these wealthy families, even a single wrong word could spell disaster. "I am too scared to stir up trouble, how could I possibly provoke anyone?" Virginia seemed earnest in her attempt to convey her understanding and compliance, her brows furrowing as if she was genuinely considering Lance's concerns. "If I cause any trouble, it could endanger my life and even implicate you, Lance. "Even if I don't think about my own safety, I have to consider yours. I would never put you in danger because of my actions." Her words were soft and tender, yet carried a resolute intent to protect him. The blend of vulnerability and determination did not seem out of place but rather heartwarming. Lance pursed his lips, skeptical. "Really?" "Absolutely." Virginia nodded vigorously as if wishing she could physically show him her heart to prove her sincerity. "And when I first came in, I was so scared I almost fell, and it was you, Lance, who steadied me ... "I can barely walk without stumbling; how could I possibly confront those distinguished young ladies? I even need courage just to speak to them." Every word she uttered seemed heartfelt, enhanced by Virginia's skilled acting and expressive face, which seemed to dissolve Lance's suspicions momentarily. However, he still felt compelled to verify. He gazed at Virginia. "Then why did someone tell me you were being bullied and asked me to come find you? Is that person lying to me?" "Who would say that?" Virginia frowned, puzzled. "The woman who drove you after you were injured last time." Lance did not know Georgina's identity or name; he only remembered that she had driven Virginia to Johnston Residence before. Virginia pondered Lance's description, recalling the person who had driven her. Georgina? She had been so caught up in her own schemes and triumphs that she had nearly forgotten about Georgina. Virginia sensed something amiss and Lance could tell something was off by the way Virginia's back stiffened and her lips formed a tense line. "What's wrong?" he asked. Snapping back to reality, Virginia managed a forced smile. "Nothing. "It must be a misunderstanding."With so many people around, it's easy to get things wrong just by looking." Lance's brow furrowed again. "A mistake?" He was skeptical; something did not feel right. He opened his mouth to press further, but suddenly, a clamor caught his attention. Virginia heard it too and turned toward the noise. The group that had been engaged in a pharmacology discussion was now huddled together, their voices low and their expressions ranging from discontent to outright anger. "Lance, what's happening with them?" Virginia acted quickly, rubbing her eyes as if struggling to see clearly. "Should we go check it out?" It was the perfect diversion from Lance's probing. Lance, distracted by the commotion, turned toward the noisy crowd, his curiosity piqued. He momentarily forgot his line of questioning. He nodded. "Let's go see." Relieved, Virginia beamed. "Okay!" She casually hooked her arm through Lance's, guiding him toward the crowd. When the woman suddenly touched his arm, Lance felt an impulse to push Virginia away. He hesitated, not moving an inch. Virginia, puzzled, turned to him. "Lance, what's wrong?" Lance struggled to control his emotions and finally managed to take a step forward, his voice strained as he said, "Let's go." Together, they approached the agitated crowd. Even from a distance, they could hear the complaints and grievances being aired. "We've been waiting for the doctor for so long, why hasn't he shown up yet?" "Don't tell me we've been scammed after spending so much money!" A man in a bespoke suit was particularly vocal, his anger palpable. "Do you know how much money I make in an hour? I came here just for the Daves' doctor, and I haven't even seen his face. What a waste of my time! "I lost billions in just a few minutes. Who's going to compensate me for that?"