Virginia sat in the passenger seat, her posture stiff, as if everything was fine. Inside, however, her thoughts churned like a storm at sea, wild and uncontrollable. Frustration and hurt collided, threatening to break her composure. She glanced at Lance again, her eyes flicking to him more frequently as time went on. But Lance was lost in his thoughts, his attention elsewhere, as if nothing existed outside his mind. He hadn't noticed her once. Minutes passed, stretching on without a word. Finally, Virginia could bear it no longer. She took a deep breath and pulled out the small mirror she had earlier shoved into her bag. The blood that had once been bright and striking on her lips had dried, its vibrant red fading into something dull and insignificant. Her gaze darkened as she examined the reflection. It was clear now: Lance hadn't truly noticed her. The blood on her lips, once a subtle bid for attention, no longer mattered.The dry blood on her face sat there, like a reminder of everything that had gone wrong. A rush of anger overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she grabbed a tissue and wiped the blood away with fierce urgency. Her movements were harsh, almost like she wanted to scrub the skin off. Once wasn't enough. She wiped again and again, nearly 30 times, each swipe more desperate than the last. Maybe if she erased the blood, Lance would come back to her. Maybe Addison would finally be out of the picture. But in her frantic motion, the wound split open again. A soft gasp escaped her. The pain and shock caught her off guard. Though it wasn't loud, it was loud enough for someone to hear. Lance turned quickly. "What happened?" Virginia turned to him, tears welling up in her eyes.She pointed to her lips, her voice shaky. "Lance, there's blood ... it hurts." A fresh streak of blood had appeared, covering the dried stains. The skin had torn, revealing a fresh wound beneath. Lance's expression faltered, his eyes shifting slightly. "Don't worry. There's a first aid kit in the back," he said. He pulled the car over without hesitation. Lance knew it was just a tiny wound. Or, to be exact, it wasn't even a wound. Less than a scrape, even. Still, Virginia did look like she was in a lot of pain. After a moment's hesitation, he made up his mind. He'd stop the car and take care of her. He owed her that. Helping her now felt like a small way to make amends for everything that had happened. "Lance ... why did you stop?" Virginia blinked, confusion clear in her eyes. "Your wound needs tending to." "It's alright, Lance. Just keep driving. Don't worry about me," she said softly. Lance ignored it and got out of the car to get the kit from the trunk. Once he was gone, Virginia's sobs quieted. She subtly lifted her gaze to the rearview mirror to watch him. By the time Lance returned with the kit, her eyes were filled with fresh tears. "I can do it myself. Please, don't trouble yourself," she insisted, trying to push him away. "I already ask too much of you ... " she murmured, but her body told a different story. She remained in her seat, weak and hunched, making no move to take the kit from him. Lance bent down, his fingers gently brushing her bloodstained lips. Her heart skipped a beat at his touch. "Did I hurt you?" Virginia shook her head quickly. "No."She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. "Let me know if it hurts." Lance rummaged through the kit, his lashes fluttering as he searched for the ointment. Virginia watched, heart racing, unable to stop the flutter of excitement. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't push her feelings aside. He's almost inhumanly handsome. No matter how many times she saw him, the effect never lessened. Her cheeks turned even redder than the blood on her lips, a deep flush matching the feelings swirling inside her. And Addison swears up and down that she doesn't love him. No way that's true. With a face like that, how could anyone not fall for him? And as the CEO of Johnston Enterprises, he was undeniably powerful. Virginia didn't think there was anyone who could remain indifferent to him. Lance squeezed some ointment from the tube, the clear gel resting on his fingertips, its light fragrance filling the car. With slow, gentle motions, he applied the ointment to her lips, easing the pain. The atmosphere shifted, the air thick with unspoken emotions. "Lance ... " Virginia whispered, her fingers reaching for his tie, pulling him closer. She wanted to kiss him. Just as their faces neared, Lance pulled away quickly, as though startled by her movement. He turned his head sharply, almost as though she were a danger he had to avoid. "All done ... " His voice was stiff, distant. He grabbed the first aid kit, closed the door, and left Virginia sitting there, confused. What was that? He didn't want to kiss me? Why'd he pull away like I'm some kind of ugly witch? Virginia's heart dropped, the warmth she had felt from the man helping her now gone. Did he think she was dirty?Addison had spent what felt like forever in that filthy dressing room, yet it never seemed to bother him. Addison's skirt had been covered in mud, yet he had still held her. Why was it so different now? Virginia couldn't make sense of it. ... The next morning, in a VIP room at the hospital, the sunlight crept through the window, casting a soft glow on the room. Addison slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw were the white walls and the soft hum of nearby equipment. Though she didn't see anyone, she felt a weight on her legs, like something was holding her down. With difficulty, Addison propped herself up and looked around. That's when she saw him—there was a man lying across her bed, asleep. But he wasn't sleeping soundly. She moved just a bit, and that was enough to wake him. "Angel, you're awake!" Leon shot up, startled.Without even wiping his face, he rushed to her side. "How are you? Thirsty? Want some water? Are you in pain?" His questions came so quickly, one after another, as if she were on the verge of something much worse. Addison looked at him, and without thinking, she smiled softly. Waking up to a familiar face ... it brought a comfort she hadn't realized she missed. Before, when she was sick, she'd always been alone. Lance never stuck around. She had nearly forgotten what it felt like to have someone care. Seeing Leon there, staying by her side all night, warmed her heart. But Leon froze when he saw her smile. Uh, why is she smiling all of a sudden? Did the fever fry her brain? "Angel, your symptoms don't seem right. There might be complications left." His voice was full of concern as he reached for her. "Lie on your back. I'll check on you. "If I find out the doctors left anything wrong inside you, I'll make them pay." Addison's smile stayed on her face, and she gently shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm just ... so happy to see you here, Uncle." Leon's hands froze. He stared at her, unsure, before he pulled her into a tight hug. "The years haven't been kind to you, Angel. Especially when Lance is your partner. "Don't worry. I'll take you home today."