"What does Marilyn like? Gold? Jewelry? Accessories? Flowers?" Virginia ticked off potential gifts on her fingers, genuinely trying to figure out what would please Marilyn. "Hmm ... buying gold feels a bit too flashy. Jewelry and accessories? I have no idea what her taste is. And flowers ... they might seem too ordinary." She frowned in frustration, clearly unable to decide. Turning to Lance, she flashed him a faint smile. "Lance, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions?" But when she glanced over, she noticed he had leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, with his long lashes catching the light. He appeared to be resting. Is he that tired? Has he not been sleeping well lately? Curious, Virginia waved her hand gently in front of his face, but he remained unresponsive. He was truly asleep. She blinked, her expression vacant, as her eyes lingered on his striking profile. From his sharp gaze to his defined nose and down to his lips, Virginia's attention carefully traced Lance's features. It was as if time had stood still for him—his appearance remained untouched by the years. The man resting before her looked exactly as he did the day they first crossed paths, unchanged in every way. Time hadn't left any visible traces on Lance's face. Instead, it seemed to have stripped away the innocence of youth, replacing it with a refined maturity that made him even more captivating. Virginia's gaze lingered on him, and memories from her past began to play in her mind like scenes from a film. People said that when someone fell for a person in their youth, those feelings could last a lifetime. Virginia thought back to her first encounter with Lance. She had been young then, but he had unexpectedly found his way into her heart. Even now, after all these years, she couldn't seem to stop her heart from racing whenever she looked at him. But the man who still made her heart skip a beat seemed to be slipping away, about to find his place beside another woman. She refused to let that happen. Virginia snapped out of her thoughts. Whatever was hers, even if it had been cast aside, could never be claimed by someone else. She resolved to hold onto Lance no matter what. With that thought in mind, Virginia lowered her eyes, picked up a blanket from the seat next to her, and gently draped it over him. "Isaac, could you turn up the air conditioning a little? Lance is sleeping," she said softly. "Of course," Isaac replied, glancing at Lance through the rearview mirror. Lance's steady breathing confirmed he was indeed asleep. It was unusual for Lance to rest in the car, no matter how exhausted he was. Isaac couldn't help but wonder what had happened in Kreshill to leave Lance this drained. ... As they neared Johnston Residence, Lance slowly woke up. Virginia noticed immediately, turning to him. "You're awake, Lance."His eyes were clouded with confusion for a brief moment before his usual cold, stern expression returned. "Yes," he replied curtly. "You must have been overworked lately to fall asleep in the car," Virginia said with concern, picking up a cup of tea she had brewed earlier. The temperature was perfect for drinking. "I asked Isaac to stop earlier so I could borrow some hot water from a roadside shop and make this tea for you. It's refreshing—try some." Lance's eyes flickered with surprise as he looked at the cup, his lashes casting shadows on his face. "You went out of your way to do this?" "Yes," Virginia replied earnestly, her eyes lighting up as she handed him the tea. "I didn't realize how hot it was when I carried it back, and I ended up burning my wrist and palm!" He immediately frowned. "Let me see your hand." But Virginia waved him off dismissively. "It's fine, just a minor burn. Nothing serious." "Are you sure?" Lance asked with a hint of doubt.He knew Virginia—even the smallest injury would usually make her cry for half a day. "I'm fine. Just drink the tea while it's still warm," she urged, her voice filled with anticipation. Seeing the sincerity in her eyes and the effort she had put in, Lance's expression softened. "Alright," he said, taking the cup and drinking the tea in one go. Perhaps it was Virginia's thoughtful gesture, or perhaps the tea itself, but Lance felt a subtle warmth spread through him. His demeanor was noticeably relaxed. "Don't be afraid when we get to Johnston Residence later. If my mother gives you a hard time, I'll help you. Just stay close to me." Virginia's face lit up with joy, and she couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. "Really?"