"Answer me! Was that nickname meant for you or not?" Virginia's voice grew sharp and frantic as her suspicions fed her agitation. Her expression twisted with a tinge of hysteria. Marilyn shot Virginia a displeased glance. How could such a loud and rude woman dream of marrying into the Johnstons? Lance's taste had really hit rock bottom. Virginia immediately fell silent, lowering her voice. "Stop playing dumb. Just admit it already." Her demand was met with nothing but silence. Angel ... ? Lance's eyes flickered with a trace of doubt. That name stirred memories he hadn't revisited in years. The moment he first met Virginia by the river replayed in his mind. Her bright eyes and radiant smile shone under the golden glow and she was so lively like a ball of sunlight. And then ... someone called out for her. Could it be possible that Addison had the same nickname? That didn't seem likely. His gaze sharpened as it settled on Addison, scrutinizing her as though trying to uncover a hidden truth. "You're awfully quiet. Is it because you're feeling guilty?" Virginia pressed on. "What are you hiding? Do you and Keith share some kind of unspeakable secret? Or is it something even more disgraceful?" Hearing this, Lance's discomfort deepened. His previously impassive face betrayed a ripple of emotion. His cold, piercing eyes swept toward Addison like a hawk circling its prey. Addison felt his gaze but only arched a brow. She was weighing her options whether to admit it or not. If she confessed that Keith was calling for her, it would undoubtedly reveal to everyone in the Johnstons that she knew Keith.She was worried that if they started digging deeper, they would eventually connect her to Dr. Nancy. They would even uncover her true identity as someone from the Daves. She didn't know if she should take the risk. Marilyn, noticing the intensity in Lance's gaze toward Addison, grew confused but sensed something was amiss. "Addison, what's going on? "How could Addison possibly be connected to Keith, the CEO of Raven Company?" Snapping back to reality, Addison gently patted Marilyn's hand to reassure her. "Mrs. Johnston, it's nothing." "Nothing? Mrs. Johnston, she's been involved with another man!" Virginia blurted, unable to contain herself any longer. Addison raised a brow at that and smiled mockingly. "What does it have to do with you whether or not I've been involved with another man?" "Are you admitting it now?" Virginia's eyes sparkled with triumph. Addison's lack of denial was all the ammunition she needed. All she had to do now was shift everyone's attention onto Addison. That would not only erase her earlier blunder but also leave Addison in disgrace. It was a perfect plan to salvage her own precarious position. Lance's mood grew even darker as he contemplated for a moment. So what if Addison's nickname was Angel? She couldn't possibly be that girl from back then. But, this situation made one thing clear—Addison and Keith had some kind of connection. He had originally planned to investigate Virginia's relationship with Keith, but now it seemed unnecessary. It was all just a misunderstanding stemming from Addison. "Speak," Lance commanded impatiently. Addison remained silent, toying with the glass in her hand. She neither confirmed nor denied anything. But if she didn't admit it, then who else could Keith have been addressing? The voice call had been on speaker earlier, and Keith had made it abundantly clear he wasn't familiar with Virginia.The only plausible answer left was her. If she refused to admit it now, Virginia would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to accuse her of trying to cover up her connection with Keith, making her look even more suspicious. Addison glanced at Virginia's smug expression. Perhaps it was better to admit it outright. Virginia noticed Addison's silence and the way her fingers fidgeted with the glass. Smirking, she taunted, "You and Keith must have some inappropriate relationship. Otherwise, why would he call you Angel? That's far too intimate for an acquaintance." Virginia batted her eyes and added, "Addison, are you trying to think up a denial right now? "Don't bother doing it. I was the only other person present. If Keith wasn't calling for me, then it had to be you! "How are you going to deny that?" Addison raised her head and met Virginia's gaze calmly. "Have you given up struggling?" To Lance, Addison's reaction was all the confirmation he needed. "Yes, Keith was calling for me," Addison finally said, breaking her silence. She had already weighed the pros and cons. Admitting it now was the lesser of two evils. Lance might be cunning, but Keith's years in the business world and his ability to single-handedly turn Raven Company into Halton's leading pharmaceutical giant spoke volumes about his own craftiness. Lance couldn't possibly jump to the conclusion that she was Dr. Nancy just because she knew Keith. As for her supposed orphan status, it had no bearing on her knowing Keith. Orphans could still be wealthy and have friends. Lance felt a surge of anger rising to his chest. "You've disappointed me!" Addison smirked. "Disappointed? Disappointed about what? Why should I care about your disappointment?" Her tone was laced with mockery.Lance loved Virginia. Whether or not Addison had a connection with another man shouldn't concern him. He shouldn't be disappointed. "What kind of nonsense is that?" Virginia interjected. "You're supposed to be Mrs. Johnston. With that title, do you think Lance wouldn't be disappointed to find you involved with someone else?" Addison scoffed. "So knowing Keith automatically means I'm involved with him inappropriately?" She found the accusation utterly ridiculous. "Where's the logic in that? Doesn't it sound absurd to you?" Virginia snorted. "Absurd? I don't see how it is. "You've spent three years cultivating the perfect image of Mrs. Johnston. But after leaving the Johnstons for just a few days, another man is calling you by a nickname. If that doesn't mean you've been involved with him all along, then what does?" Addison sneered. "What, do you not have any friends? "Friends call each other by nicknames all the time. Is that so hard to understand?" Virginia's words were the sort you'd expect from someone who had no real friendships. Well, that figured—someone like her probably couldn't even keep a friend. Virginia dismissed the remark and pressed on aggressively. "You've always presented yourself as a blank slate. The Johnstons know nothing about who you associate with. If it's all so innocent, why didn't you come clean earlier?"