Virginia's expression darkened slightly as Lance fixed his sharp gaze on her, awaiting her explanation. He idly toyed with the small talisman in his hand. In his broad palm, it appeared even more delicate. From afar, the talisman seemed to be crafted from exquisite material. Lance's fingers traced the raised "Daves" engraving, over and over again, his motions unhurried but deliberate. "This talisman—does it belong to the Daves?" Truthfully, he had noticed something unusual the moment it hit the floor that day. Ordinary talismans were fragile, even more so if crafted from sapphire like this one. Despite its apparent delicacy, it had survived the fall unscathed—without even a single scratch on its surface. The Daves family, a powerful household in Kreshill, was known for their impeccable craftsmanship. If this talisman truly came from the Daves, it would have been made with the finest verdant sapphire. Yet verdant sapphire, renowned for its brilliance, was notoriously brittle. Unless the Daves had discovered a revolutionary method to strengthen sapphire, it couldn't endure such impact without damage. Virginia instinctively took half a step back. "Lance, what do you mean by this?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Her tone carried a hint of grievance, as if she couldn't fathom why Lance would suddenly interrogate her like this. She felt she had done nothing wrong, and his harsh demeanor seemed uncalled for. Lance arched a brow. "Just answer my question." Virginia avoided his penetrating gaze, inhaling deeply before speaking, her voice tinged with a blend of defiance and helplessness. "You questioned me earlier, asking why I seemed so tense yesterday," she began. "But emotions can't always be explained. They come and go without reason. How do you expect me to answer that?" Looking up at Lance, her eyes glistened with a mix of hurt and indignation. "Why are you pushing me so hard? Your accusations make me feel so wrong. I fainted, yet instead of caring for me, you're grilling me like this ... " Before she could finish, Lance cut her off, showing no intention of softening. "Don't change the subject. Just answer me. Now." His unwavering tone left no room for argument. "Or are you avoiding the question because you already know the answer?"Cornered, Virginia finally relented. "It's a keepsake from my mom." "I swear on my life, this talisman is from the Daves." With those words, she stood abruptly and dropped to her knees on the hospital room floor. The suddenness of her movement left Lance momentarily stunned. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his brows furrowing. Virginia ignored his reaction and launched into an impassioned vow. "If I'm lying, may I die in the streets tomorrow and never have the chance to marry you." As if that weren't enough, she continued, her voice resolute. "This talisman was given to me by my mom. If it isn't from the Daves, may my mother and I be cursed together." "Let her soul never find peace." Her words, filled with an unyielding conviction, left Lance silent. He studied her intently, his expression complicated. Her steadfast declaration, coupled with her willingness to involve her deceased mother, stirred something in him. Surely, no one would curse their late parent in such a cruel manner unless they were certain of their truth. While Lance wasn't entirely convinced, he realized that pressing further might make him seem heartless. Virginia noticed Lance's expression softening and cautiously shifted closer to her knees. She blinked, tilting her head up at him, her tone soft and imploring. "Lance, did I do something wrong to upset you?" she asked gently. "If I've made you uncomfortable, you can punish me however you see fit. I won't complain." "I only swore that oath to clear my name. I didn't want to be treated unfairly without reason." "If there's something about me that bothers you, please tell me. I'll change, I promise." Although Virginia remained kneeling, her posture was upright and steady. Her delicate appearance couldn't mask the resilience within her, a strength honed through hardship. Her clear, unwavering gaze carried an air of innocence, as if she were someone who'd been wronged but stood firm in her conviction. Lance studied her silently, his expression cold, though the depth in his eyes revealed inner conflict. After a pause, he finally spoke. "Rest here for now. Don't follow me anymore." Without waiting for a reply, Lance turned to leave the hospital room. "Lance, wait ... " Virginia scrambled to her feet as he headed for the door. She hurried after him, grabbing the hem of his coat. "Lance, the talisman ... Could I ... ?" Her voice trailed off hesitantly as she clutched the soft fabric. She couldn't rest easy knowing the talisman was still in his possession. "This talisman is my mother's keepsake," she added softly, her tone tinged with urgency. Lance glanced down, his expression briefly shifting as he weighed her words. After a moment, he extended his hand, returning the talisman to her. If it was a memento from her mother, he shouldn't be holding onto it. "Thank you, Lance!" Virginia's voice was filled with relief and gratitude as the familiar texture of the talisman returned to her hands. She clutched it tightly, as if holding onto her very fate. Lance said nothing further and walked away in silence. Once outside the room, Lance stopped a passing doctor. "Keep an eye on the woman in that room," he instructed. "Unless absolutely necessary, don't let her leave. If she must go, report her movements to me immediately." "Understood," the doctor replied with a nod. After issuing his orders, Lance left the hospital. He sat in his car, lost in thought for a long while. When he finally picked up his phone, he noticed a missed call. It was from Addison. ... The next morning, the sunlight streamed brightly through the windows, accompanied by the occasional chirping of birds in the distance. Addison woke feeling refreshed, enjoying the most restful sleep she'd had in days. Had Rosa not come to wake her, she might have stayed in bed even longer."Ms. Addison, it's time to get up. Mr. Daves is already in the dining room, and everyone's waiting for you." Addison jolted awake at the news and hurriedly sat up in a panic. Yesterday, she had confidently promised to join Matthew for breakfast, and now she'd overslept. Feeling flustered and annoyed with herself, she threw on a simple camisole and a beige cardigan before rushing to the dining room. But as she hastily stepped inside, skirt in hand, she realized something was amiss. Seated at the dining table were not just familiar faces—there were strangers present too. Addison froze in place, her mind momentarily blank. The room fell into an awkward silence.