"Ah ... it's nothing, really." She moved slowly, inching closer, her ears turning a deep shade of red. Just as she was about to gather her courage to sit down, eyes closed, she noticed Lance getting up from the chair. "Lance, what are you ... " Virginia froze, unsure of what to do next. She was torn between sitting and standing, feeling quite awkward. "You can sit," Lance said with an unreadable expression, his face neutral. He stoodupso I couldtaketheseat? Virginia's mind raced, and she suddenly felt a headache from her own thoughts. She forced a smile, pretending to adjust her skirt to mask her discomfort. "I'll sit." But before she could settle into the chair, she saw Lance heading toward Addison. Virginia instinctively considered following him, but when she saw Marilyn sitting beside Addison, she stopped herself. Nevermind. Withthatwomanthere, itwouldn'tbeworthit. Besides, she knew Marilyn was keeping an eye on things. Lance wouldn't dare do anything to Addison. Marilyn noticed her son approaching from afar, sneering and turning her head in disdain. Little did she know, Lance wasn't coming over to calm her down at all. From the moment he arrived, his gaze was locked on Addison. Hmm? Marilyn blinked. Even Addison, who wasn't particularly observant, couldn't miss the intensity of his stare. She slightly turned her head, trying to pinpoint where the intense gaze was coming from. As soon as Addison shifted, Lance quickly looked away. They avoided direct eye contact. Addison glanced over at Lance. Since there were no extra chairs, he was standing by the wall, his arms crossed casually in front of him. His posture seemed relaxed, but there was an undeniable air of authority around him. Whywas he standingthereinsteadofgoingtocomfort Virginia? Just as she was about to turn away, Marilyn's voice suddenly pierced the air. "Lance, weren't you just staring at Addison the whole time?" She couldn't resist taking advantage of the moment. "Is there something you want to say to her? Don't be shy! Speak up!" Lance froze in place. "I don't ... " "You were staring at Addison for so long! I saw it," Marilyn added. "What?" Lance felt the urge to flee. Addison watched the tug-of-war between the mother and son, her mind clouded with uncertainty. "Is there something you want to say?" Why did it seem like Lance had been acting out ever since the car accident?She couldn't quite place it, but something about him seemed different. Was he morereservedthanusual? "Don't hold back. Just say it," Marilyn urged, clearly enjoying her son's discomfort. Under his mother's watchful gaze, Lance had no choice but to stammer out a few awkward words. "I was just ... wondering how long the surgery will take," he mumbled, his voice hesitant. He then quickly added, almost casually, "Mom has already made dinner, and it's probably getting cold." For a fleeting moment, a faint blush colored his usually impassive face. Addison blinked, her gaze fixed on Lance. "That's it? That's what you wanted to ask?" She couldn't figure out why such a simple question made him look so unnatural, as if he had said something utterly scandalous.