As this realization dawned on Virginia, the anger she had been holding onto from earlier faded, replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear. If Addison truly is the heiress, Ms. Daves ... She began to replay every interaction she'd ever had with Addison. In the past, she had seen her as nothing more than a pitiful orphan—a "lost soul" cast aside at the orphanage, someone weak and easy to manipulate. With this mindset, Virginia had treated Addison with cruelty, speaking harshly and acting with malice without hesitation. But now ... A cold chill ran down Virginia's spine. If Addison sought revenge as Ms. Daves, Virginia couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences. Will I have to face the full extent of my wrongdoings? The thought paralyzed her with fear. Her face drained of color as panic gripped her, her mind racing in a chaotic whirl, and the terror in her chest felt like it might burst out. It was at that moment that Lance finally took notice of Virginia's distressed state."What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?" His voice was filled with concern as he looked down at her. Virginia, overwhelmed by the rising wave of dread, barely registered his words at first. Her hands shook as she instinctively reached for her waist, searching for the talisman. But after fumbling around, she realized—she couldn't feel it. It hit her with a jolt. Have I left it in my suitcase? Her eyelashes fluttered as she quickly turned, her heart racing with panic. She rushed toward the car, her movements unsteady as she almost tripped in her haste. "I can't lose it ... I can't lose it ... " she muttered under her breath. Lance's brow furrowed. He took a step forward, reaching out to steady her. But Virginia was too focused on the missing talisman, pushing his hand away as she stumbled to her feet, her skirts swirling around her as she rushed ahead. Lance's hand hung in the air, frozen. A flicker of surprise passed through his mind. Virginia's actions were completely out of character. She had always been so gentle, so compliant. Never had she been so quick to dismiss him, so frantic and anxious. A sense of suspicion crept into Lance's thoughts. He had already noticed something off when the Daves' bodyguards had shown Addison such deference. Now, Virginia's erratic behavior only deepened his doubts. What is really going on? ... The Daves Residence was far from where they had parked. Virginia ran the distance, her breath quickening as she descended countless stairs and covered what felt like endless yards, finally stopping, out of breath, in front of the car. She bent over, gasping for air, her urgency so intense that it felt like even breathing deeply was a waste of time. Without pausing to rest, she rushed to the back of the car and yanked open the trunk. Inside, her black suitcase lay waiting. The suitcase was heavy, stuffed with a mix of belongings she had packed in anticipation of her trip to Kreshill, hoping to spend time with Lance. But now, she seemed unaware of its weight as she roughly pulled it from the trunk and dropped it to the ground. She ripped it open, her hands digging through layers of clothing in search of the talisman. Clothes and jars tumbled out, scattering across the ground as she desperately searched. But Virginia didn't care. She emptied the suitcase, flipping it upside down, tossing everything aside until she finally found what she was looking for. The talisman. It lay deep within the suitcase, its circular shape gleaming as the light caught its unique material, sending out a blinding flash of brilliance. The moment Virginia saw the talisman, a rush of relief flooded through her. Her face brightened, and with eager hands, she gently pulled the talisman out of the suitcase, cradling it as though it were the most precious item in the world. Though it was a counterfeit, it felt eerily real. The talisman was round, its design intricate, exuding an aura of ancient sophistication. The word "Daves" was carved into it, bold and unmistakable.I was right—this is identical to Addison's! As she held it in her hands, Virginia's tense muscles began to loosen slightly. She compared it to the one she had seen on Addison, mentally checking every detail. Everything was the same. Her fingers curled around the talisman, and a shadow of uncertainty crossed her face. It seems that Addison's true identity as the Daves family heir is becoming undeniable. "Virginia, what are you doing?" Lance's voice sliced through her thoughts. He glanced down at the mess on the floor—clothes, makeup, mirrors—scattered everywhere. His confusion was clear, and his gaze rested on her with suspicion. The sudden interruption startled Virginia, and without thinking, she quickly hid the talisman behind her back. "What are you hiding?" Lance's voice was sharp, his suspicion obvious. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "N-Nothing ... "Virginia quickly shook her head, trying to appear innocent, but Lance's sharp eyes were too observant to miss any movement. There was no way she could hide something this obvious. "Let me see it." His tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable pressure that filled the space between them. The neutrality in his voice only made the tension more intense. Virginia lowered her gaze, avoiding his probing eyes. Her grip on the talisman tightened as she refused to look up. She couldn't let him see it. If Lance noticed the talisman on Addison too... My deception would be exposed. "Give it to me." Lance's tone grew even firmer, and he took another step closer, closing in on her. Virginia shook her head firmly. It seemed like Addison's actions had pushed Lance into a state of frustration. Now, he was impatient, unwilling to deal with the confusion and uncertainty that Addison had caused.The feeling of unease he had experienced when dealing with Addison, the mystery surrounding her identity—Lance was determined not to feel that way again. "Virginia." Lance's voice held a weight of meaning, his speech deliberate and measured. As CEO, Lance's presence was commanding, and Virginia could feel the pressure building. Cold sweat dripped down her back, and she knew she couldn't resist much longer. It's pointless. If I don't give it to him, he will simply take it from me. Closing her eyes, Virginia took a deep breath and steeled herself. "Here ... I'll give it to you, Lance." She opened her hand, revealing the talisman lying there. Lance's gaze dropped to the talisman, and suddenly, memories flooded his mind. He saw a clear afternoon, the damp riverbank, himself emerging from the water, her beautiful, soft eyes, and the blurry outline of her face. The talisman gleamed brightly in the sunlight.The memories pieced together in his mind—his first meeting with the girl who would become his first love. The rush of emotion he had felt back then was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. Young Lance hadn't been able to clearly see her face, but he had always remembered the cool, shimmering talisman she wore. From that moment on, the talisman was the only way he could recognize her. "You ... " Lance started to speak but stopped, his voice faltering. Virginia held her breath, watching him closely. Inside, she prayed silently, hoping that Lance hadn't seen the real talisman on Addison before. If he had, everything would be over.