"Naturally," Virginia said, a smug grin spreading across her face. Tilting her chin up, she gave Addison a look that conveyed her clear sense of superiority. "So, what's it going to be? Are you going to beg? Getting into Raven is as easy as me making one phone call," Virginia continued, settling into a chair with her legs crossed, chin resting in her hand as she looked at Addison with amusement. Addison remained composed, showing no signs of surprise. Though her face stayed neutral, there was a hint of calculation in her eyes. Virginia didn't seem to be lying. "Not interested?" Virginia asked, noticing Addison's silence. She twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, clearly bored. "You should know that I come from a pharmaceutical family in Kreshill. The pharmaceutical world knows us. Asking for my help is a privilege." "My request isn't unreasonable. All you have to do is ask the right way," she said, a self-satisfied smile playing on her lips. "But I wonder ... will you manage to please me?" "A pharma family in Kreshill?" Addison raised an eyebrow, a small smirk forming. "The Daves?" "Well, well, a girl like you knows about the Daves?" Virginia raised her eyebrows, clearly impressed. "If you know about us, you must also understand our status. The Daves are a prestigious, hidden family. Compared to them, even the Johnstons are nothing." Virginia's casual use of the family name made her seem like a member, but Addison picked up on the overconfidence in her tone. To an outsider, Virginia's words might give the impression that she was indeed a Daves. Addison's smile grew colder. "The Daves are that important?" "Then why did you end up with the Johnstons? And why does Lance keep lecturing you over money?" Addison's tone turned mocking, her eyes sharp as she looked at Virginia. "It doesn't seem like the Daves are all that rich after all. If they were, why did Lance almost throw you out over a ring?" Addison's voice dripped with disdain now. Virginia was definitely not part of the family. Yet she was so adamant about it. It could only mean one thing. She came from a distant branch of the Daves. The Daves were a well-known family in Kreshill, rooted in alternative medicine. They were a hidden, influential presence, but Virginia's connection to them seemed far less certain. She likely came from a distant branch of the family, trying to claim a legacy she wasn't really a part of. Virginia was stunned into silence for a moment. "Am I wrong?" Addison asked, tilting her head slightly as if genuinely curious. "I married into the Johnstons because I love Lance. What would you know about that?" Virginia shot back, trying to hide her unease. "I gave up everything—the power and status of the Daves—for him. The Johnstons should be grateful." She lifted her chin, but her words rang hollow. "But I never told Lance any of this. I didn't want to burden him." "Oh, really?" Addison smiled coldly, her amusement evident now. Addison felt a surge of disgust as she listened to Virginia. How could she speak so boldly? There's not even a flicker of hesitation in her tone! If Virginia was truly connected to the Daves, she was embarrassing them. "That's correct," Virginia said, oblivious to Addison's reaction. She raised her chin, her face a picture of arrogance. "Have you made up your mind?" "This is a deal you can't pass up," she continued, her confidence evident. For someone like Addison, an orphan with little to rely on, the offer seemed almost too good to ignore. Addison slowly raised her eyes to meet Virginia's. To an outside observer, it might have seemed like she was mulling it over. Virginia smirked, sure that Addison was starting to waver. She relished the idea of having Addison on her knees, begging for her help. Just the thought made her feel triumphant. "But I still don't believe you know Keith," Addison said, her voice steady. "Keith? The president of Raven Company? How could you possibly know him?" she pressed. "I'm from the Daves!" Virginia snapped, her pride showing through. "Even if you are from the Daves, what does that have to do with knowing Keith?" Addison asked, her tone cool. "Ha, you wouldn't understand. You're just an orphan," Virginia said with a dismissive wave. "You probably don't even know what position the Daves hold in Kreshill. People like us can easily get in touch with any CEO we want. Companies beg for connections with the Daves!" She grew more animated with each word. "A mere Raven president is nothing." Addison remained calm as she observed Virginia's growing agitation. "'Kay" Her response was so flat, so unaffected, that it seemed as if Virginia's words had barely made an impact. This wasn't the reaction Virginia had expected. She was left speechless. Anyone else would have been eager to connect with her, to maybe even grovel at her feet. Yet Addison remained completely unshaken. Wait, she still doesn't believe me? Yeah, of course. She's just an ignorant orphan girl. I bet she's just putting on an act. Addison's reaction was a careful mask of indifference, or so Virginia thought. She's just trying to mask her ignorance and defend her pathetic dignity. Virginia couldn't help but smile inwardly. A poor orphan like Addison, clinging to whatever little pride she had left—how pathetic. "I'm calling Keith now," Virginia said, her voice dripping with confidence. She pulled out her phone without hesitation. Addison raised an eyebrow, as though daring her to prove it. Virginia pressed the call button, and the phone began to ring. At first, the sound was light and cheerful, but as the seconds stretched into minutes, Virginia's expression grew tense. The sweat in her palms became more noticeable. Addison's eyes were sharp as she watched, her voice steady. "If you don't know him, just admit it. There's no need to act like you do." "You're calling me a hack?" Virginia shot back, though her voice had lost some of its edge. She couldn't stop staring at the phone, heart pounding in her chest. The first time Virginia had met Keith had been at a dinner party. He'd been lounging back in his chair, his legs casually crossed, his presence commanding attention. He was, without a doubt, handsome, and there was no shortage of people drawn to him. Though Virginia wasn't sitting right next to him, she noticed him glance in her direction several times during the evening. At first, it had seemed like nothing—just a passing look. But as the night went on, the glances became more frequent, each one more lingering than the last. His eyes seemed to have a strange intensity, an emotion she couldn't quite decipher. It wasn't just a passing interest. It was clear that he was watching her—observing her. As the dinner drew to a close, her heart racing, she'd gathered the courage to approach him. Her fingers had nervously pulled up the hem of her dress, and she'd asked, "Can I have your number?" Virginia had always known that opportunities were only worth something if you grabbed them. She could still picture Keith's face clearly. He had looked at her with that slight, almost amused smile. "You want my number?" His eyes, full of warmth, had held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. That was how she had gotten his number. But since that night, Keith hadn't once tried to contact her. The ringtone continued, its sound echoing in Virginia's mind. Her heart raced. The last thing she wanted was for Addison to laugh at her. Addison watched, completely unmoved. The WhatsApp number ... it had to be Keith's. It seemed that Virginia really did know him. What else about Keith had she missed? He had a reputation for short-lived flings, and he even got it on with Virginia too? Hold on. Was there something more between them? The fact that Virginia was calling him directly suggested it was more than just casual. Keith and Virginia ... Was there something more? Addison's head spun. Just when Virginia thought Keith wouldn't answer, the video call picked up.Virginia's heart skipped a beat. Keith's striking face appeared on the screen.