Has Lance never eaten bamboo shoots? The thought struck Addison like a physical blow, her mind momentarily going blank. After a brief pause, realization dawned on her. Oh no. It appeared she had confused the dishes that Harvey preferred with those that Lance favored. Gazing at Lance, whose features bore a striking resemblance to Harvey's, she blurted out, "I remember now, you really dislike these bamboo shoots, don't you?" Immediately, Addison regretted her words. Why had she said that? There was no simple way to dismiss such a statement. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead and nose. Lance sat quietly across from her, his gaze intense. In the unsettling quiet, his eyes were calm yet penetrating as if he could see right through her with a single look. Having held the CEO position for a long time, his presence carried a commanding aura that was not overtly aggressive but was nonetheless overpowering, making it difficult to breathe. Seated across from him, Addison felt the weight of his stare even without meeting his eyes. The tingling sensation on her scalp was a testament to the sharpness of his gaze, which was too intense to be ignored. "Um, didn't you just say you want these dishes removed?" Addison ventured, attempting to steer the conversation away from her mistake. "I'll have them taken away right now." She pressed the dark red button on the table to summon the waiter. Lance continued to sit in silence, his unwavering gaze fixed on Addison, heightening her sense of confinement. Addison's mind was in turmoil, regretting her impulsive speech. She had always been so careful during her time at Johnston Residence ... What was going wrong now? Just a few days away from Johnston Residence, and she couldn't keep straight the preferences of Harvey and Lance? Addison was baffled by her own confusion.Feeling increasingly anxious and aware of Lance's intense gaze, she kept her head down, wishing she could disappear. If only the floor would open up, she thought, she would gladly vanish into it. Her embarrassment was reaching a crescendo. "Why hasn't the waiter arrived yet? Is this button broken?" Addison murmured, touching her head in discomfort, clearly at a loss for words. Just as she thought Lance would keep glaring in silence, he finally spoke. "Bamboo shoots ... " He began, naming the dish. Addison jumped slightly. "Um, the dish is ready to be taken away. You won't see it soon. If you don't want to see it now, you can close your eyes, so you won't have to." She offered this seriously, not expecting that her suggestion would only sour Lance's mood further. He gritted his teeth and pressed, "Who is the person who likes to eat bamboo shoots?" "Huh?" Addison paused, taken aback for a moment. "Who is the person who likes to eat bamboo shoots?" The man saw Addison evading the question and repeated it.This time, Lance asked again, making it impossible for Addison to feign misunderstanding. She offered a forced smile, scratching her head while her eyes wandered. "Who is it? I seem to have forgotten ... " "Oh? Forgotten?" Lance chuckled, his tone playful yet piercing. His gaze was sharp, cutting through the darkness and pinning Addison in place. Addison realized her feeble excuse would not deceive Lance. With his extensive experience as a CEO, negotiating daily in the business world, he honed a keen ability to decipher others' intentions. Yet she could not bring herself to admit that bamboo shoots were Harvey's favorite dish, could she? Just as Addison was grappling with her frustration, a knock sounded at the door. "Hello, we heard your call. Is there anything you need help with?" This interruption was like a lifeline in the desert for Addison, and her face brightened instantly. "Yes, please come in quickly."Though she knew the waitress would eventually leave after attending to them, it provided a momentary respite. She planned to use this brief distraction to slip away. The waitress entered the room. However, before she had fully stepped in, she sensed the intense scrutiny and looked up. A man in a suit, radiating an aura of distinction, was eyeing her with a stern look. While taken aback by his imposing presence, she admired his striking features. Nonetheless, her professionalism prevailed, and she managed a polite bow. "Hello, how may I assist you?"