Addison stood there, phone in hand, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what to say. After a long silence, she finally spoke, choosing her words carefully. "Uncle Leon, is it possible for me to wait a few hours before heading back to the Daves Residence?" Her plan was to slip in unnoticed when Lance and Virginia were preparing to leave for Halton. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to avoid drawing attention. However, Leon's response was laced with confusion. "Addy, your grandfather's been asking for you non-stop!" Addison, holding the phone, listened to his urgency while her eyes shifted to Lance and Virginia. They were just dozens of feet away, but it felt like a world of distance between them. Lance, unable to get into the Daves Residence, stood still, looking every bit as frustrated as she felt. His tall, well-built frame was commanding, and his clothes fit him perfectly, enhancing his appearance without effort. Yet, standing in front of the Daves Residence, he seemed as unmovable as a statue, an imposing figure who wasn't going anywhere.Addison frowned as she watched him. His stillness was unsettling, his expression unreadable. It seemed like he was prepared to wait for hours, and that wasn't helping Addison's predicament. Sighing, she reluctantly replied, "I ... I really can't come back right now." Leon, sensing her unease, asked with concern, "Did you go shopping at Kreshill's center? Is that why you can't come back so soon?" Before Addison could respond, Leon quickly dismissed his own question. "Don't worry about it! I'll have Luca drive the fastest car from the Daves to pick you up! You'll be back before you know it! "Just head to the intersection," he continued enthusiastically. "Luca's an excellent driver. It'll only take him a few minutes to get there, so just wait there for a moment." Addison couldn't help but almost laugh out loud at his eagerness, though there was no humor in it. The issue wasn't the distance—she was already so close. In fact, she was standing right outside the door.All she needed to do was take a few steps, but she couldn't—wouldn't—go inside while Lance stood there like a "big bad wolf." "Addy? Are you there? Why aren't you saying anything?" Leon's voice broke through her thoughts. "I ... " Addison sighed, her grip on the phone tightening as she felt more trapped with each passing second. She struggled to find the right words, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. Before she could respond, a loud noise suddenly erupted from the phone. The sounds of various voices—some older, some younger, both men and women—clashed together, with the sharp sound of porcelain shattering in the background. The commotion startled her so much that she jerked the phone away from her ear, her heart pounding. What's happening over there? Is Uncle Leon in some kind of conflict? Why all the noise? She could barely make out anything amid the chaos, her concern growing by the second. "What's going on? Is everything okay?" she asked urgently.On the other end of the line, Leon's voice came through hoarse and frantic. "Don't even ask. Your ... " Addison blinked, trying to make sense of what she'd just heard. All she could catch was "Don't ask," followed by a string of nonsensical sounds. It didn't make sense at all. "Uncle Leon, what's going on?" she pressed, her worry now edged with impatience. A few seconds later, the noise faded, and Leon's voice became clearer, as though he had moved to a quieter area. He was breathing heavily, likely trying to calm down, before he spoke again. "Addy," he began softly, "Your grandpa's been asking if you've secretly gone back to Halton again. "He keeps asking ... " Leon paused, clearly trying to gather his thoughts. "He keeps asking why you didn't even bother telling him if you went, saying you don't care about the family anymore ... He even wondered if you're planning to leave us." Leon sighed in exasperation. "I told him you hadn't gone back, but he didn't believe me. Now he's insisting on seeing you, or he won't stop—he's already broken three sets of tea cups ... " Leon's voice wavered with distress. "Your grandpa wasn't like this when he was younger. It's like he's a completely different person now, and honestly, it's terrifying ... " He groaned, sounding defeated. "Addy, you're the only one who can fix this." If he keeps throwing things like this, I'll be next thing he targets, won't I? Because if Addy has truly gone back to Halton, it means I've failed as her uncle ... Addison fell into a heavy silence as soon as she heard Leon's words. His insistence left her little choice—despite her reluctance, she knew she couldn't refuse him now. If she did, it would seem disrespectful, and that wasn't something she could afford. After a deep breath, Addison spoke, her voice resolute yet tinged with resignation. "Alright, I'll go in now. Please don't worry." Her relationship with Matthew had barely begun to improve, and she knew any more misunderstandings would erase any progress she had made with him. She quickly ended the call and took a step toward the door. As she passed by Lance and Virginia, she deliberately ignored them, her gaze fixed ahead as though they were invisible. Her steps were steady and purposeful, unyielding in their direction. "Addison ... where are you going?" Virginia called after her, confusion lacing her voice. She clearly didn't understand what was happening. Where else can I possibly be going? We're at the Daves Residence. Virginia's question is more of an attempt to break the silence than anything else. Is she blind? Addison didn't stop or reply. Her pace remained unchanged. "Lance ... look!" Virginia tugged at Lance's sleeve, her voice thick with sarcastic surprise. "Could she actually be going to knock on the door?" Her tone was dripping with mockery. We have already knocked without receiving an answer, so what is Addison thinking, walking up to the door like this? I guess this girl from the countryside doesn't know her place. It seems like a foolish move, almost as if she's asking to be humiliated. As Virginia spoke, Lance's gaze lifted, his eyes locking onto Addison. She was like a vision in a light green dress, walking with an effortless elegance that caught his attention. The fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, showcasing her tall and graceful figure. Her waist, slender and delicate, swayed slightly with each step, and her beauty radiated like a calm, majestic landscape.Lance's expression darkened as his eyes followed her every movement, his attention completely captivated by the sight. Virginia, noticing his intense focus, glanced at him in disbelief. But what she saw made her hesitate. Lance wasn't just looking; he was completely transfixed by Addison, as if under some kind of spell. It's just a dress, isn't it? Is it really that spellbinding? Frustration flared in Virginia's chest as a surge of anger rose within her. How could he be so fascinated by Addison? Driven by her jealousy, she followed Lance's gaze. At first, she viewed Addison with disdain. There are many women with slender figures—what makes Addison's so special? But as she lingered on Addison's back, something stopped her in her tracks. The dress, soft and light blue, clung to Addison's form, accentuating her delicate waist—so slender that it seemed to vanish into the air. It was captivating, like a willow tree swaying in the breeze, a sight so graceful it demanded attention. Even Virginia, a woman herself, couldn't look away.No wonder Lance's so absorbed in her. But Virginia refused to let herself believe that Addison had any true allure. She convinced herself that it was the dress, not Addison herself, that made her so captivating. If I wear the same dress, I'm sure I'll look just as stunning! Lance, oblivious to Virginia's thoughts, continued to stare at Addison, unable to tear his gaze away. Addison was nearing the steps, closing in on the door. Suddenly, Lance's brow furrowed, and his voice cut through the air, colder than before. "Addison. "That's not where you should be going. Come back." They had already tried knocking, and the door had remained closed. He knew there was no way she'd get any different response this time.