Lance immediately stood up and grabbed his car keys from the table. "Mom, I'm going to the airport to pick up Addison now. "Tell her to stay right where she is and don't move." After saying that, he pushed his chair back with a firm motion and strode toward the door. Virginia froze in place, utterly dumbfounded Lance's actions made it clear that he was deliberately defying her. She had begged him not to bring Addison to Johnston Residence, and yet, here he was, boldly announcing that he'd go pick her up. Isn'tthisanoutrightdefiance? Her chest tightened with frustration. I justthrew a hairdryer. The pricewasn'tevenexpensive, andit had alreadybeenusedby Addison anyway. Whyis Lance soangryaboutit? Andbesides, I haveapologizedsincerely, haven't I? I don'tunderstandwhat Lance wasthinking. Meanwhile, Marilyn, who was still holding her phone, couldn't contain her excitement when Lance offered to pick up Addison. She was about to suggest that he go fetch Addison but had worried her son might refuse. She'd even rehearsed several ways to convince him. Yet, here he was, volunteering to do it on his own! Thisis a goodsign. Itmeans, there'sstillhopefor Lance and Addison! "Great, then hurry up!" Marilyn urged, waving one hand at him while holding the phone in the other. "Addison, stay at the airport and don't move. Lance's on his way to pick you up." At the airport, Addison held her phone and blinked in surprise. "Lance is coming to get me?" "That's right. As soon as he heard that you had arrived, he went out to pick you up before finishing his meal." Marilyn was practically beaming, her expression glowing with delight as her eyes sparkled with joy. On the other end of the line, Addison's lips twitched. She didn't believe a word of it. Lance iseagerlyrushingtopickmeup?! It'simpossible. I'llbegratefulif he doesn'tgiveme a hardtime. "Tell him not to bother. I can manage on my own; there's no need to trouble him," Addison responded flatly, tugging her suitcase behind her as she walked toward the exit. "Addison, how can you call this trouble?" Marilyn's tone turned earnest. "It's only right for Lance to pick you up. Don't refuse him, okay?"Addison was about to argue, but Marilyn firmly cut her off. "Lance has already left. He didn't bring his phone with him ... " "Oh, such a silly boy. If he gets there and finds out you've already left, he'll keep waiting for you. That would be a real inconvenience," Marilyn added with a hint of exasperation. Hearing this, Addison understood what Marilyn wanted. She sighed and relented, "Fine, I'll stay here and wait for Lance." The moment Marilyn heard her agree, her face lit up with a satisfied smile. "Good, that's perfect! Lance will be there in no time. Don't worry, Addison, just wait patiently." After ending the call, Marilyn hurried toward the courtyard, eager to return Lance's phone. Despite what she had just said, she knew her son couldn't possibly go without it. If he couldn't find Addison at the airport, that would truly be a mess. However, as soon as Marilyn stepped out of the living room, she froze. Virginia was standing in front of Lance. One hand was clutching the hem of his shirt, while the other held onto his arm as if pleading for him to stay. Marilyn's cheerful expression vanished instantly.