Every gaze shifted toward the origin of the noise, setting a somewhat sinister tone. With the sound of something crashing, more bodyguards flooded into the room, their numbers indiscernible in the swarming dark mass. The sudden influx of so many stern, well-equipped guards stirred a palpable tension among the attendees. What is happening? Why are there so many bodyguards here? Virginia pressed closer to Lance, her eyes darting around suspiciously. Yet, despite her apprehensions, she was not afraid. She felt confident that these people were not here for her, a relative unknown in Kreshill without any notable background. While she recognized her own allure, she doubted it would draw such a dramatic response. Thus, she stood by Lance's side, devoid of fear. If anything, she felt a trace of satisfaction. The arrival of these formidable bodyguards not only disrupted the expected appearance of Dr. Daves, the revered healer but also seemed to foil Lance's plans. If Lance could not meet with Dr. Daves, then no one could intervene to aid Steven. Steven would remain indefinitely bedridden, never to trouble her and Lance again. This outcome was perfectly acceptable to her. In fact, Virginia felt an odd thrill amidst the tense atmosphere. Suddenly, amidst the quiet tension, a bodyguard stepped forward and called out to their leader, "Dr. Daves, the venue has been completely secured! "I guarantee not even a fly can escape!" "What? Secured?" "Are we trapped here?" The murmurs escalated as people began to talk among themselves, their faces etched with confusion, disbelief, and rising panic. "Are they planning to encircle the entire conference? How long until we can leave?" "Why is this happening?" Amid the growing unrest, one individual bellowed, "Do you know who I am? "How dare you confine me? Do you think you can just get away with this? "No one has ever dared treat me this way, who's bold enough to be so arrogant?" One particularly irate man exclaimed, his anger peaking, "I want to go home now; don't waste my time here!" He grabbed his briefcase, ready to storm out of the hall. However, as he made to stride forward before he could even take a step, he felt an icy sensation against his forehead. Confused, he looked up to discern the source of this chilling touch. He was horrified when he realized it. A pitch-black handgun was pressed against his forehead. The once defiant man, now overcome by fear, collapsed back onto the floor. "I'm staying, I'm staying ... " His voice trembled with fear, filling the air around Lance. Despite the chaos, Lance's expression remained impassive as if he were detached from the turmoil surrounding him. He stood still, his demeanor serious and focused, observing the actions of the bodyguards with keen interest, unswayed by the angry, frightened crowd. The figure at the front looked vaguely familiar to Lance, causing him to narrow his eyes as he intently studied the person like an eagle eyeing its prey. As the figure drew closer, Lance finally recognized the face—it was the doctor who had treated Steven last time! Lance's surprise was evident as his pupils dilated. Leon was clad in a white medical coat, his face framed by gold-rimmed glasses that lent him a friendly and approachable air.His demeanor starkly contrasted with the stern bodyguards behind him, creating an odd juxtaposition. Despite this disconnect, the scene somehow made sense. Leon's gaze swept over the crowd, searching intently for something or someone. Lance felt a twinge of curiosity at this behavior. Though he recognized Leon, Lance chose not to draw attention or approach him rashly. Instead, he gently pulled Virginia deeper into the crowd. "Lance, what's wrong?" Virginia asked, bewildered. "Why are we hiding?" she added, looking confused. Lance did not respond directly; he simply pressed down on her shoulder, silently signaling her to keep moving deeper into the mass of people. Virginia, though puzzled, complied with his guidance. Amid the general commotion, Johan's assault did not cease; his fists continued to pummel the waiter relentlessly. The waiter's tie lay discarded on the ground, his neck visibly red and swollen from the choking, his face twisted in pain. Unable to defend himself, he was reduced to lying on the ground, wailing continuously. The ongoing screams inevitably captured Leon's attention, drawing his gaze toward the unfolding violence. "Sir, please stop." Leon stood firm in front of Johan, signaling him to cease his assault. Johan, however, seemed to ignore him entirely, continuing his attack with a brutal intensity as if he had not heard Leon's plea. "If you keep hitting him, he might die," Leon cautioned. Johan sneered with indifference, "So what if he dies?" Leon's brow furrowed at this callous disregard for human life, recognizing Johan as nothing more than a spoiled brat. Undeterred, Johan retorted, "It doesn't matter who tries to intervene today, go tell the organizers."I will stop as long as we see Dr. Daves today." Leon's response was a slight smile. "You want to see Dr. Daves?" Johan, caught off guard by Leon's demeanor, released his grip on the waiter, his face clouding with displeasure. He gritted his teeth and forced out, "Of course." Acknowledging Johan's response, Leon turned to address the crowd with a respectful bow. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his tone apologetic, "the Daves regret any disturbance caused today. We did not intend to disrupt the refined ambiance of this meeting, but an urgent matter necessitated our actions." The crowd, upon hearing the mention of the Daves, fell silent. The respect and influence associated with the Daves name were significant, and nobody wanted to risk offending them. Furthermore, as the interruption was temporary and had caused them no real harm, there was no need for the guests to escalate the situation. Only Johan, unfazed by the mention of the Daves, seemed impatient, continuing to press for answers and action. "The Daves are causing such a stir? "Making everyone here waste time, huh? That's quite something," the man remarked sarcastically, clearly expressing his displeasure. Leon faced him directly. "Sir, weren't you eager to meet Dr. Daves?" He continued, "Once their issue is resolved, you'll have the opportunity to see Dr. Daves. However, if it remains unresolved, you won't have that chance." Johan sneered, "Are you trying to threaten me?" Leon dismissed his accusation with a calm response, "It's not a threat. The choice is yours." With that, he turned his attention to directing the bodyguards to begin a thorough search. Despite the overall anxiety among the crowd, this was a premier conference, attended by many internationally distinguished doctors associated with the Daves. So, they were generally more rational.The Daves had a solid reputation in Kreshill for their integrity and their commitment to aiding the vulnerable. They were known for providing medical charity services that restored hope to many critically ill patients in the region. Given the Daves' long-standing positive image and Leon's sincere demeanor, it was challenging for anyone to remain angry or resistant. For a moment, the guests cooperated fully. Even Johan, though clearly irked, tacitly allowed the bodyguards to proceed with their task without further interference. Virginia, amidst the crowd, recognized Leon immediately. She observed the purposeful actions of the well-equipped bodyguards, noting their apparent search for someone specific within the throng. Who are they looking for? While she was unsure of their exact target, a vague sense of fear began to gnaw at her, heightening her anxiety amidst the unfolding situation.