Lance sat in the car, his face clouded with frustration. His usual indifference seemed amplified, as if the weight of the world was bearing down on him. It was evident the failed attempts to find Dr. Nancy had left him on edge. The assistant drove carefully, fully aware that any wrong move could set the CEO off. Then, the sound of a phone ringing shattered the silence. The jarring noise seemed out of place in the tense atmosphere of the car. The assistant froze, his heart racing. He couldn't help but feel sorry for whoever was calling. Lance answered the phone. "Lance, where are you? I haven't seen you in days." Virginia's voice was sweet and familiar on the other end. The assistant let out a quiet sigh of relief. Virginia, he thought. She could calm Lance down or at least lift his spirits. That might make things easier. Lance's tone was flat. "I'm out. The company's busy." Virginia's voice softened. "I can help! I haven't seen you in so long. I really miss you ... " Lance's response was curt. "I'm busy." His voice carried an edge, and his brow furrowed even deeper. Clearly, the situation with the authorization was weighing on him. Virginia could sense the change in Lance's voice. Things at Johnston Enterprise were worse than she had imagined. She remembered overhearing part of Raymond's conversation when he had visited the company. That had given her a glimpse into the troubles they were facing. She knew better than to press Lance for details. He might love her, but that didn't mean he'd open up about company problems. He'd only tell her not to worry. But Virginia needed an opportunity—something that could allow her to step in and help Johnston Enterprise through its crisis. She had left everything behind in her home country, and if she missed her chance with the Johnstons, there would be nothing left for her. She couldn't allow that. She also couldn't stand the idea of Addison, a mere placeholder, taking her place as the CEO's wife.Virginia's voice became softer, more coaxing. "Lance, I know you're busy. But let me help. I can take some of the load off your shoulders ... " Helping Johnston Enterprise through this crisis was her key. If she succeeded, Marilyn would stop bringing up her past mistakes. If she didn't, she could forget about marrying into the Johnstons. When Raymond had visited the company, Virginia had purposely opened the door to let the staff know she was there. She wanted them to see her. The more people knew about her, the better. She had to cause a stir—enough for them to notice her, and hopefully, to give her a chance. If no one at Johnston Enterprise knew she existed, her dream of joining their family would be over. She couldn't afford to wait for Lance to take her to Johnston Residence. Waiting wasn't an option. She had to act, to fight for her place, not just sit back and hope for things to change. "You can't help," Lance's voice was cold. Then, realizing how harsh he sounded, he added, "The company's fine. Nothing major. Don't worry about it." Virginia smiled, the corners of her lips turning up. This was just as she expected. Lance cared about her. "I can help," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet confidence that Lance couldn't miss. "How?" Lance's tone softened a little. Virginia's heart fluttered. Her voice brightened. "I've got something for you. Something that'll help Johnston Enterprise. Just wait for the surprise." Since the moment Raymond had noticed her and the Johnstons hadn't acted on it, she'd felt a sharp sense of urgency. She couldn't risk not making it into their world. That's why she'd been preparing this gift. She had worked hard to secure it. If Johnston Enterprise pulled through this crisis, it would be thanks to her—Virginia. She could almost picture herself walking into the Johnstons' world, marrying into it. Lance stared out the window, his expression unchanged. "Come to the company tomorrow." "Today's too late."He thought Virginia had planned to bring him some homemade cakes, hoping to lift his spirits, even if only a little. He wasn't expecting any real help from her, but it was a gesture to show she cared. He had promised his grandfather not to divorce Addison yet, all for Johnston Enterprise's sake. He felt a sense of guilt. He didn't want to disappoint Virginia, who was just trying to help. After a moment, Virginia replied, concern in her voice, "Okay, tomorrow it is. Lance, don't work yourself too hard. I'll worry if you do." "Yeah," he answered, his tone soft, before ending the call. The assistant glanced at Lance in the rearview mirror. Lance's expression had softened, but there was still something unreadable in his eyes. The assistant realized there were things about the world of the elite that he would never understand. In that world, even wealth had its layers. The Johnstons were the most powerful family in Halton, and Lance stood at the top of that pyramid. He was at a level few could imagine, but with that came an unavoidable price. ... The next morning, outside Johnston Enterprise ... A courier in uniform walked into the lobby, carrying a package. "Hello, I have a delivery for the CEO of Johnston Enterprise. Could you sign for it?" The receptionist glanced at the unremarkable package, her voice casual. "Who sent this?" Just then, Virginia appeared at the entrance of Johnston Enterprise, dressed in a sleek white dress. Her hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, and her makeup was impeccable. There was a certain pride in her gaze. The man checked the package, then spoke. "It's from Ms. Addison." His voice was quiet, but the mention of Addison's name didn't escape Virginia's notice. Her eyes immediately darkened, and she frowned, her expression hardening with contempt as she looked at the package on the counter.How could Addison be so bold, sending something to Lance? Did she not realize she had no right to be doing this? Shouldn't she at least consider whether she was even worthy of giving him anything? She was nothing but a placeholder! Virginia's previously bright face turned dark, and she stepped toward the counter, her mood shifting visibly. The man was handing the package to the receptionist when Virginia appeared in front of him. In one swift motion, she grabbed the package from his hands. It was now in her possession. The man stood frozen, taken aback by her boldness. This act was bold, and even brazen perhaps, especially for a lady who seemed so innocent. This was a first for him. This package had been specially ordered by a customer, who had paid a substantial amount to ensure its safe arrival in perfect condition. Any error could have serious repercussions. The man quickly regained his composure. "Ma'am, please, could you return the package?" Virginia didn't respond. Her focus completely on the package, a look of disdain on her face. The receptionist, startled by the unexpected snatching of the package, looked up to see a familiar face. Isn't this the woman who had been with the boss that day? What was her name again? Dolton? She had almost offended her last time ... She couldn't afford to make that mistake again. With a swift, practiced smile, the receptionist greeted her warmly, "Ms. Dolton, what a pleasant surprise. It's great to see you."