Ryan observed a subtle change in Addison's expression. His eyes softened as he lowered his lashes, watching her with a quiet intensity. "Dr. Daves? What's the matter?" Addison's face, usually so composed, was clouded with doubt. She seemed lost in thought, unaware of Ryan's question. Lance's role as CEO was firmly established. If she handed over the reins to him, Johnston Enterprise would likely survive the crisis it was facing. She knew Lance's strengths well. He had pulled Johnston Enterprise from the brink of collapse, and while her behind-the-scenes support had been invaluable, Lance's leadership and talent had been just as critical. Given more time, Johnston Enterprise's future under his direction could flourish. However, she feared that if she didn't transfer authority to Lance immediately, Johnston Enterprise might not survive the current storm. For three years, Addison had supported the company quietly from the shadows. She understood the value of Levosulin, their flagship drug, and she knew that without it or a suitable replacement, the company's future was grim. All the work she had put in would be in vain, and all the progress they had made would unravel. Addison's eyelashes fluttered briefly. Ryan, noticing her shift in expression, stood by, unsure if she was truly present. He waved his hand in front of her face, trying to catch her attention. Addison snapped back to reality and said, "Prepare an authorization letter for me." Ryan had already anticipated this. Her earlier silence instead of outright refusal had tipped him off that she might indeed hand the authority over to Lance. "Understood," Ryan replied. Dr. Daves always has her reasons for her decisions. After confirming, Ryan grabbed a test tube, ready to proceed with his experiment. Addison, still deep in thought, added, "Make sure it's ready now. I'll sign it right away." She was eager to move quickly. Matters involving the Johnstons couldn't afford to linger. Ryan froze for a second, his expression tinged with confusion. "Right now?"His instincts told him that there was more to the relationship between Addison and Lance than met the eye. The urgency with which she had asked for the letter to be prepared ... He couldn't help but wonder about their connection. But then he shook off the thought, reminding himself that it wasn't his place to speculate. He had always kept his focus on work, never concerning himself with other people's affairs, so he couldn't understand why this was even on his mind now. Addison, unaware of his internal conflict, simply nodded in acknowledgment. Ryan quickly masked his thoughts with a neutral expression. "Alright," he said, heading to the next room. Ryan worked efficiently, and within moments, he returned with the letter prepared. Addison glanced over it briefly before signing her name. "Send it to Johnston Enterprise." Ryan looked up, his surprise evident. "Aren't you going to deliver it yourself?" "I won't be delivering it," Addison replied flatly. "Make sure it's sent anonymously." Ryan's confusion deepened. "Sending it anonymously could cause a delay, especially with how important the authorization is. It might take a few days." "A delay of a few days won't matter," Addison said calmly, her tone warm but firm. Johnston Enterprise wasn't in danger of collapsing in the next few days. She just didn't want any more personal entanglements with Lance. Ryan, holding the authorization letter, left the lab and headed to the car. Meanwhile, Lance's car pulled up outside the imposing laboratory building. The driver announced, "Mr. Johnston, we've arrived." Lance glanced up, his gaze narrowing. The laboratory was far larger than he had anticipated. He stepped out of the car. At the entrance, several well-dressed bodyguards stood guard, their guns visible, creating an air of intense security. Isaac, stepping out after Lance, froze when he saw the stern-faced bodyguards, their imposing presence making him uneasy.What kind of place is this? The building was in a secluded area and painted a dull gray, giving off a sense of mystery and discomfort that sent a chill down Isaac's spine. He instinctively wanted to ask Lance why they were there, but remembering Lance's cold temperament after the failed drug development, he quickly suppressed the thought. Confronting Lance seemed far worse than any concerns about the building. At that moment, Lance's phone rang. He answered immediately. "This is the lab Keith designed. It's isolated on purpose to avoid interruptions to Dr. Nancy. You can't just walk in with your name announced. "But everything's prepared," Mike said proudly. "You'll have to enter through the side door. The front is too heavily guarded." "Got it," Lance replied, scanning the small side door before hanging up. Approaching the side door, Lance saw only one bodyguard standing guard. "You stay here," Lance ordered Isaac as he moved toward the door. Isaac muttered an acknowledgment, his eyes glued to Lance's retreating figure. As Lance approached, the bodyguard instinctively reached for his gun, his eyes narrowing as he pointed it at him. Lance remained calm, offering a brief glance at the bodyguard. The bodyguard observed the man in front of him, noting the complete lack of fear in his demeanor. Surprised, he studied him more closely. The man's features were nearly flawless, with deep, dark eyes that seemed endless—impossible to read, yet radiating an unmistakable coldness. It was clear this intense, stoic face belonged to Lance, the CEO of Johnston Enterprises. The bodyguard slowly lowered his gun and stepped aside, allowing him to pass. A mysterious individual had already informed him that Lance would be arriving today. All he had to do was unlock the door for him, and in exchange, he'd receive a large sum of money. The amount offered was so substantial that he didn't hesitate for a moment before agreeing. Lance stepped forward, entering the building without a word. Meanwhile, Ryan had just finished signing the authorization forms and was leaving the lab. As he drove out of the garage, he noticed a strange car parked next to the building in his rearview mirror.He paused, his expression changing in surprise. Whose car is that? The lab had only just been completed. With Keith absent from the office and the lab staff unavailable, the only people in the building should have been him and Addison. Ryan had asked Addison if they needed more assistants. He had even suggested hiring some top-tier experts at a high cost to ensure they were never short-handed. This would allow her to work more efficiently. But Addison had declined, preferring to work in peace without the distraction of a crowd. So ... why is a luxury car parked here now? What is the purpose of this visit? Could it be a threat to Dr. Daves? Ryan's expression darkened. Without thinking, he slammed on the brakes, intending to get out of the car and investigate. But just as his foot was about to leave the pedal, he stopped. Am I being too paranoid? If the person is bold enough to park right there, they must have a legitimate reason to be at the lab. Maybe I'm overreacting. Ryan withdrew his foot and sank back into the seat. I have never been like this before. Why does everything feel so different when Dr. Daves is involved? His eyes dropped as his mind raced, his expression conflicted. With a deep breath, he restarted the engine and sped off, leaving the strange car behind. Inside the lab, Lance made his way through the complex. The building's layout was intricate, with rooms and labs scattered across multiple floors. After a quick glance at the floor map, Lance easily identified several labs he needed to check. By moving through them one by one, I will eventually find Dr. Nancy's lab. He entered the elevator, heading for the first lab. The equipment inside was state-of-the-art, far beyond what Johnston Enterprises could offer. After a quick scan of the lab's setup, Lance's attention shifted to the next room. He opened the door to the next lab—but it was empty. Lance continued checking the labs, one after the other. Each room was silent, deserted. His brow furrowed in frustration as he approached the last lab on his list.Standing in front of the door, he noticed the lights were on. He could hear the hum of machines running inside. But through the small window on the door, he couldn't see anyone inside. Lance's gaze sharpened. Dr. Nancy has to be inside. There's no other room left. He raised his hand and knocked softly on the door.