Lance raised an eyebrow slightly, giving a nonchalant glance over at Virginia, who was nestled close to him. "Virginia, stop fooling around. Sit properly." "I'm not fooling around; I'm telling the truth." Virginia continued to rest gently against Lance, pouting slightly, looking a bit dissatisfied. "Lance, you know the last time was an accident. I promise this time there won't be any mistakes!" Addison saw Virginia leaning on Lance and suddenly felt like the meal in front of her had lost its appeal. The taste turned sour in her mouth. She set her fork down quietly, the appetite gone. Lance ignored Virginia's words and frowned. "I said sit properly." His voice unknowingly carried an unspoken authority, the tone of someone accustomed to command. In his mind, today's invitation to Addison was strictly business. And if it was business, it had to be handled with decorum. He was always clear on separating work from personal matters. Virginia's behavior, in both the emotional and logical sense, was out of line. Virginia blinked, her eyes wide with disbelief. How could Lance speak to her in this manner in front of Addison? She wasn't about to give up. Virginia moved closer to Lance, wrapped her arm around his waist, tilted her head up as if to say something more, but she met his gaze instead. His eyes, cold and distant, gave her no room for argument. Feeling the chill in his eyes, she immediately jumped and stood obediently to the side. "Have you made up your mind?" Addison, sitting across from them, rested her chin on her hand as she looked out the window at the courtyard outside, avoiding the unpleasant display in front of her. Hearing the question, she turned her head. "Hmm?" "I'll take you to my grandfather's banquet," Lance said, tapping the table, his voice calm and even. "You won't need to use an authorization letter as payment." Addison raised an eyebrow. "No authorization letter?"Lance's sudden change of heart surprised her. How could he make such an offer? Was he really willing to lose out on this? "Yes," Lance replied, his gaze steady on her. "Wait, Lance! How can you take Addison to the banquet instead of me?" Virginia, who had been standing quietly, couldn't hold back any longer and spoke in a rush. "I ... " Addison was about to speak, but her attention was caught by Virginia's glare, fierce with hatred, as if the moment she said anything, she would not let her go. With a smile in her eyes, Addison replied, "Don't worry, I won't steal your man." Her voice was calm, but the sarcasm was unmistakable. "I won't attend the banquet. And I'll never attend any of the Johnstons' banquets again. Moreover, I won't be going to the Johnston Residence either, even if you beg me." "Who would beg you?" Virginia sneered, though inside, she felt relieved. "Unless there's anything else, I'll be leaving," Addison said, not upset. Her gaze turned to Lance. Lance's face turned ashen, his anger radiating from his sharp brows. But he held back his fury, his voice tight. "Are you really not attending?" This was yet another moment when Addison was challenging him, going against his wishes. He had already convinced himself to set aside his pride and invite her to the banquet, yet she still defied him. How dare she? Who gave her the courage to do that? "Is it the authorization letter that gave you courage?" Virginia noticed Lance's darkening expression and couldn't help but add fuel to the fire. "With that letter, you think you can look down on the Johnstons? "You won't even attend Mr. Steven's 70th birthday? After all the care he showed you during your three years with the Johnstons?" Wouldn't her refusal to attend the banquet just serve Virginia's purpose? Was Virginia trying to discredit her in front of Lance? After all, she had benefitted, but now she was playing the victim. "You talk about the three years at the Johnstons? I was the one looking after everyone there. Where's this care you speak of?" Addison shot back, her voice cool. Virginia's eyes narrowed with disdain, her voice growing louder. "So you're saying the family is indebted to you? Are you asking them to thank you for those three years of your sacrifice?"Addison smiled tightly. "No, that's not necessary." Everything she did during those three years was out of her own choice, to make up for her past mistakes. She never expected any gratitude. "How generous of you to say that," Virginia mocked, her eyes narrowing. "You're becoming more shameless by the day. A poor orphan who owes everything to the Johnstons, living in luxury for three years. You don't even have the decency to be grateful, and now you expect them to thank you?" Addison blinked, unfazed. "What luxury? Ask Lance what my life was like after I married into the family." Before Virginia could respond, Lance grabbed her arm, frowning deeply. "Stop. Just stop." Virginia quickly realized she had gone too far. She changed her tone, trying to backtrack. "I was just upset when she spoke so badly about your family. I didn't mean to say it like that." She attempted to salvage her image. But Lance cut her off. "I understand," he said, his gaze filled with trust. Virginia felt a bit reassured, so she pushed forward, "Addison's rudeness would be an embarrassment at the banquet. Let me go instead. I'm thrilled to attend the banquet. Please take me, Lance." Addison let out a small laugh, her eyes full of sarcasm. "So this is what you've been waiting for? All that talk, and it turns out you just want to go yourself." She had hoped for some growth from Virginia, but it seemed like her little schemes were transparent. Virginia fell silent, taken by surprise. "Of course I want to go. Unlike you, I know how to show respect and be grateful! Even though I haven't been to the house in three years, Mr. Steven treated me so well before. I need to go and wish him well." She quickly made up a reason, her mind racing. "Mr. Steven was always kind to me," she emphasized, almost as if to make sure Addison understood. "Lance, isn't that right?" Lance merely pursed his lips, silent. "Lance, aren't you going to take me?" Virginia asked, her eyes narrowing as she sensed something was off. Addison spoke again, "Can I leave now? I'm not going to the banquet."If Virginia wants to attend, then let her go," Addison said, suddenly smirking. "But doesn't attending a birthday party mean you need to bring a gift? You wouldn't expect Lance to buy a gift for Steven, would you? That would be so embarrassing." Virginia could see the blatant mockery in Addison's eyes. "You—! I-I won't be using Lance's money to buy a gift for Steven!" But the truth was, she didn't have much money herself. She relied on Lance's black card to get by, but she couldn't let Addison see her weakness. She had no choice but to bluff. "Well, that's good. Just don't blame me for speaking harshly. It's just that you've always been so materialistic; it's hard not to suspect." Addison's smile deepened as she subtly glanced at Lance. Lance frowned in disapproval. "Stop maliciously assuming things about others. Virginia isn't what you think. She's definitely using her own money to buy the gift for Grandpa." He looked at Virginia with a trusting gaze. Though Virginia was much more willful compared to her former self and sometimes even too emotional when she got excited, she seemed far more genuine to him now. During the three years she spent abroad, she endured a lot of hardships. After being shaped by life's challenges, she undoubtedly understood human nature and social intricacies far better than before. She was not someone who would fail to see things clearly now. ... "Ah, right," Virginia mumbled, reluctantly agreeing. How could she afford to buy a gift for Steven? Addison was doing this on purpose! She glared at Addison with burning hatred. Addison met her gaze with a smile full of mirth. She hadn't intended to get back at Virginia—she just wanted to test Virginia's true feelings. Was she really attached to the Johnstons, or was it all about the money? These were two different things. If Virginia truly married into the family, her attitude would affect their future. She needed to be sure of her true intentions so she wouldn't be left to clean up the mess Virginia might create later.