Addison had yet to share her decision to divorce Lance with Matthew. Considering Lance's unpredictable behavior, Addison knew the divorce wasn't guaranteed until the agreement was signed. If she told her grandfather about her plans prematurely and things didn't go as expected, it might lead to unnecessary emotional turmoil. Given Matthew's fragile health, it was safer to wait until the divorce was finalized before breaking the news. Addison preferred to handle things cautiously. When Lance heard Addison's hurried clarification, a slight frown crept onto his face. A sense of unease stirred within him, leaving him unsettled. "Hello? Lance, are you still there?" Addison's voice carried a note of confusion as she held the phone to her ear. Why isn't he responding again? "I'm here," Lance replied, his voice deep and tinged with melancholy. Relieved to hear his response, Addison felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had worried his silence might mean he was rethinking their "I've said everything I needed to. Do you have any requests or conditions? Feel free to share them," Addison continued, her tone soft. Their relationship was strictly transactional—she provided Lance with a chance to treat Steven, and in return, he would sign the divorce papers. It was a fair exchange, with each side benefiting equally. Because of that balance, Addison was willing to accommodate any reasonable demands from Lance. The silence on the other end of the line grew heavier, making her uneasy. Finally, he broke the stillness with a single word. "No." His response carried an unmistakable weight of emotion. Addison suddenly became aware that something seemed off with Lance. His mood appeared darker than usual. What could have upset him? Had she unintentionally said something to offend him?Perhaps it was her earlier explanation. She had only clarified that her visit to the Johnston Residence wasn't for his sake. It was simply a necessary step before picking up Matthew. Her words were honest, and she couldn't imagine why they would upset him. Lance likely wouldn't care about her reasons for going there anyway. After all, Virginia was the one who occupied his heart. Only she had the power to influence his emotions. If Lance was upset, it was probably due to Virginia or an issue at Johnston Enterprise. Concluding that it wasn't her concern, Addison pushed the thoughts aside. It wasn't her place to involve herself in matters that didn't affect her directly. "Well, that settles everything. Mr. Johnston, I look forward to a smooth partnership." Addison spoke with lighthearted ease, her happiness evident as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She brimmed with anticipation, knowing that once Matthew successfully operated on Steven and she secured the signed divorce papers, she would finally feel free.Her cheerful demeanor starkly contrasted with Lance's tense silence. His expression turned somber, even bordering on grim. A strange reluctance stirred within him, making him suddenly hesitate. The thought of finalizing the divorce no longer felt right. "Anything else on your mind?" Addison asked, breaking the quiet, her attention drawn to Lance's lack of response. "Nothing more. It's been a pleasure working with you," he replied, forcing the words through gritted teeth, struggling to suppress his growing regret. At that moment, a faint thud came from behind him, as if something—perhaps a phone—had fallen onto the carpet. Virginia's gaze darted to the phone on the ground, dread sinking in her chest. She knew she was about to be exposed. Lance spun around immediately, catching her off guard. Their eyes met, and an uncomfortable tension instantly filled the cabin. "I ... I ... " Virginia stammered, her mind racing to come up with a plausible explanation.Before she could think of an excuse, Lance quickly said 'See you tomorrow' before abruptly ending the call. His rushed behavior made it obvious he was hiding something. If there was nothing suspicious, why would he hang up so quickly? Virginia's suspicions flared, momentarily forgetting that she had been caught eavesdropping. "Lance, who were you talking to?" she asked, her words spilling out before she could stop herself. Despite her earlier nervousness, her tone was steady and direct. Ignoring her question, Lance slipped his phone into his pocket. Instead of answering, he turned the focus on her. "What are you doing here?"