Mike barely registered Lance's words, and when he finally looked up, he immediately noticed something was off with Lance's expression. "Keith didn't agree?" Lance's eyes, dark and inscrutable like a bottomless pit, gave nothing away. Mike studied Lance's silence, sensing he could piece things together. He opened his mouth, then hesitated, frustration overtaking him. After a long pause, he muttered, "What's going on with Keith? "Just because he has the authorization, he thinks he's some kind of authority? Does that mean he can treat people like this? So rude!" Mike's voice trailed off. Wait, maybe that authorization was important. "We've already humbled ourselves so much ... " Mike glanced at Lance's increasingly grim face and decided to stop before he said too much. After thinking for a moment, Mike tried again. "It's not all about the authorization. We could always find some research talent. It might not be as simple as Raven Company's approach to drug development, but if we put in the effort, we could still create the new drug before the authorization expires." "Where are you going to find research talent?" Mike froze when Lance spoke, his brow furrowing as he sat down on the office sofa. Lance gave him a brief glance. "Leave." Mike pressed his lips together, realizing once again how cold and distant Lance was. Just as expected, when Lance was done with him, he'd be discarded. But Mike didn't argue. After all these years, he knew Lance's personality all too well. "Don't overwork yourself. Take care of your health." Mike shut the door behind him, and immediately, the tension in the air thickened around Lance. Lance reached for a cigarette on the table and lit it with a flick of his lighter. A small spark glowed at the tip, flickering in his hand. He stared at the soft, flickering light, taking a slow drag, but exhaling without truly smoking. Instead, he set the cigarette in the ashtray and watched it burn down to ash. Slowly, the ash grew longer and longer, then finally broke off. Is Johnston Enterprise going to crumble under my watch? In the expansive, opulent office, the dim light from the cigarette and the haze of smoke filled the room. ... The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, waking Addison to the harsh ring of her phone. "Who's this?" "It's me," came the low, gravelly voice. Even with just that single word, Addison immediately recognized who it was. "Are you disturbing my dreams this early? What's going on? Whatever it is, we can talk later," she said, her finger hovering over the end call button. "Wait, wait, I really need to talk to you." His voice softened. "I tried calling you the other day, and you didn't pick up. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was? When the call didn't connect, I was mortified." Keith chuckled softly. "You, embarrassed? That's a rare sight. Let me guess, was it in front of Lance?" Hearing Lance's name made the memory of being blocked downstairs flood back. Addison's sleepiness evaporated instantly. "Don't even bring him up. We're getting a divorce. The papers are signed, just waiting for him to do his part." As she said this, she suddenly realized she hadn't sent the papers yet ... Why didn't Lance accept the divorce papers when I gave them to him? Did he think my visit was to reconcile? Addison thought for a moment and realized that was the most likely explanation. Keith nodded on the other end. "That's good. Welcome back to the single life. When I get back, we'll throw a party to celebrate." "When you get back? When will that be? Stop making promises you can't keep." Addison sighed, then added, "By the way, where are you? Why couldn't I reach you on the phone?" Keith laughed. "When have I ever made promises I couldn't keep? You've been avoiding me for three years because of the Johnstons, and now you're mad I've been unreachable for a bit?" Addison rolled her eyes. "Enough with the small talk. What did you actually call for?" Keith cleared his throat. "Ryan probably told you about it—the new drug development at the company."Addison raised an eyebrow. "I was planning to check it out, but is it really that urgent? You're even calling me personally, Mr. Dean?" "Cut the sarcasm. If you want to go, go. But the sooner, the better. If that's all, I'll hang up now." Keith ended the call. Addison sighed, getting out of bed. She grabbed her phone and dialed Ryan's number. "Ryan, are you at the office today? I'm heading over to check out the new drug development at the lab this morning." Ryan's voice was full of excitement. "I'm here! Should I come pick you up, or do you want to meet downstairs?" "Just wait for me downstairs. Oh, and I'll come through the back door, so wait by the back entrance." After getting ready, Addison drove to Raven's office, where Ryan was already waiting. "Morning. Have you eaten yet?" Addison greeted him casually. "I've eaten," Ryan said, scratching his head, his voice still a little nervous. Addison nodded, noticing his unease. She had asked Ryan to meet her outside to ease the tension between them. After all, they'd be working in the same lab, and keeping a cold distance wouldn't be healthy for either their personal or professional lives. She sighed inwardly. I have to take it slow ... "Let's go," she said, giving Ryan a smile. Ryan nodded eagerly and walked ahead. As they walked, Addison's phone buzzed. She checked it and saw a message from Marilyn. "Addison, have you eaten yet? Come over to the Johnston Residence when you're free." The message ended with a cheerful smiley face. Addison frowned. After Virginia's outburst at the Johnston Residence, Marilyn had been texting her regularly. At first, Addison replied, but she stopped after a while. She tucked her phone away. She had made it clear she was divorcing Lance, but Marilyn's behavior showed she hadn't accepted that. Ryan turned around, noticing Addison's frown. He asked cautiously, "Dr. Daves, is something wrong?" Addison glanced up and shook her head. "Nothing." They reached the lab entrance. Ryan instinctively followed her inside, but Addison stopped him. She waved him off. "Stay out here. I can't let anyone know who I am. If you come in, it'll be obvious." At Raven Company, aside from him and Keith, no one had seen the chief researcher. Ryan stopped, nodding with understanding. He nearly forgot about the risks. After witnessing so many researchers caught in corporate wars or harmed maliciously, Halton's situation wasn't as dire, but revealing Addison's identity would certainly stir up jealousy among her peers. Addison adjusted her mask and lab coat, making sure no one would recognize her before slowly walking into the lab.