"Mom can't handle it alone." Virginia's eyes widened in disbelief, shocked that Lance would say such a thing. "Lance, I want to go too ... " She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears, her expression full of tender grievances, evoking an almost instinctive sympathy. Her gaze was silent but spoke volumes, carrying an unmistakable plea. Whatexpressiveeyes. Addison watched the scene coldly, unmoved by the woman's display. It was clearly just a tactic to sway a man's heart. However, while Addison was not affected, that did not mean Lance was not. If Lance was not vulnerable to this kind of manipulation, Virginia would not have been able to stay by his side for so long. Virginia was banking on Lance giving in, which explained her bold and calculated behavior. With Virginia's current demeanor, it seemed almost inevitable that Lance would relent.Thinking this, Addison glanced over at Lance, trying to read his expression, only to realize he had his back to her. She could not tell what was on his mind. With that, Addison pressed her lips together, lowered her gaze, and stopped looking. If Virginia followed them, the check-up would be far from peaceful. Addison needed to find a way to keep Virginia out of the ward. After all, Steven's condition was largely because of her. If Virginia entered the ward and meddled, worsening his state, even Matthew's miraculous skills might not be enough to save him. Lance's expression did not change as he looked at Virginia, his voice calm and firm as he repeated. "Stay downstairs and keep Mom company. "No need to go upstairs." Addison was trying to come up with an excuse to keep Virginia out, but Lance unexpectedly refused. Heroes are alwaysdefeatedbybeauty, right?Whatwasgoingonwith Lance today? He actuallypassthetestofVirginia'scharm? Even Marilyn, standing nearby, looked surprised. It took her a moment to process what had just happened. "Come on, Ms. Dolton, come to the kitchen with me," Marilyn said, pulling on Virginia's sleeve and leading her toward the kitchen. Her son had finally resisted Virginia, so she was not about to give her an opening. Marilyn, though gentle in appearance, had a surprisingly firm grip, and Virginia was practically half-pushed, half-dragged into the kitchen. After watching Virginia leave, Lance adjusted his collar, his expression unreadable. Just as he was about to head upstairs, he noticed Addison standing a few steps higher on the stairs, looking at him with an inquisitive gaze. His brow furrowed. "What's up?" Addison quickly averted her gaze, pretending nothing had happened. "Nothing." She turned and started heading upstairs, leaving the man to follow silently behind her.There was a strange, distant tension in the air between them. After wandering the second floor for a while and still not finding the ward, the man finally broke the silence. "Do you even know where the ward is?" "Huh?" Addison stopped, startled. She remembered the ward being here, but after searching for a while and coming up empty-handed, she was starting to doubt herself. Had Marilynmovedthewardsomewhereelse?