Seeing the surprised expression on Deanna's face, Lance couldn't resist pinching her soft, fair cheek affectionately. "I came early this morning. I originally wanted to bring you breakfast, but seeing you sleep so soundly, I didn't have the heart to wake you. Plus, I didn't sleep well last night either, so I couldn't help but climb into bed and hold you for a while."
"Why didn't you sleep well last night?" Deanna asked instinctively.
Lance looked at her and answered seriously, "Because you weren't there."
These simple, calm five words made Deanna feel as if she had tasted honey, sweet and delightful.
"Did you eat sugar first thing in the morning? You're so good with words," she teased Lance, her smile radiant.
Lance raised an eyebrow, suddenly wrapping his large hand around Deanna's waist and pulling her close. He leaned in and said, "Why don't you find out if I had any sugar?"
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, he kissed Deanna's lips.
Deanna hadn't expected Lance to respond this way and was momentarily stunned, wanting to stop him.
She had just woken up and hadn't brushed her teeth yet.
Perhaps her emotions were too obvious on her face, as Lance immediately understood what she was thinking. He slightly loosened their intertwined lips and said in a low, hoarse voice, "I don't mind."
With that, Lance kissed Deanna again.
This time, Deanna didn't resist but held Lance and responded to his affection.
Fortunately, they both had good self-control and didn't forget they were in the research institute's office, not at home.
So after the kiss, they sensibly separated.
Deanna lay weakly on the bed, her pink lips slightly swollen, her eyes dreamy. She looked like a ripe fruit, tempting someone to pick.
Lance looked at her and used great self-control to avoid acting impulsively.
To prevent losing control, he quickly got out of bed, tidied his clothes, and picked up the food container nearby. In a deep voice, he said, "I'll go heat up breakfast in the cafeteria."
With that, he walked out of the lounge.
Deanna watched his quick departure and couldn't help but chuckle, knowing his thoughts.
Later, they sat on the office sofa together, eating the breakfast Lance had brought.
During the meal, Lance asked, "Have you resolved things here?"
"Not yet. I might not be able to go home for the next couple of days. I'll need you to take care of things at home," Deanna said with a gentle shake of her head.
Lance frowned deeply at this. "Is it that tricky?"
"Pretty much. Do you remember the data I submitted? The higher-ups started researching it, but the results were highly toxic."
Deanna never hid anything from Lance. She said seriously, "You know that since we submitted that data, our research institute has received a lot of support from above. Even I have been taken care of by them. So my master and I plan to help solve this issue."
Hearing this and seeing Deanna's determined expression, Lance didn't stop her.
"If that's your decision, then go ahead."
"Thank you."
Although Deanna knew Lance would support any decision she made, hearing him say it still moved her deeply.
Lance looked at her grateful smile and couldn't resist rubbing her forehead affectionately. "Why thank me? Isn't this what I should do?"
Meanwhile, at the Howard family residence.
Emily dressed up and planned to go to the Howard family's company to question Raphael about why he didn't come home last night.
Just as she got into the car, her phone rang. It was an unknown number.
She frowned but answered it anyway. "This is Emily. Who is this?"
"Miss Jones, who I am isn't important. I'm wondering if you're interested in discussing something about Deanna. I'm waiting for you at Club Meltdown."
With that, the caller hung up before Emily could ask any questions.
Emily put down her phone and immediately instructed the driver to head to Club Meltdown.
She wasn't in a hurry about Raphael. As long as the mysterious person was around, she and Raphael would be tightly bound together. But Deanna was different.
She desperately wanted Deanna to disappear!
Yet the mysterious person had warned her not to make another move against Deanna.
Since she couldn't do it herself, cooperating with others was just as good!
In less than twenty minutes, Emily arrived at Club Meltdown. After giving her name at the entrance, a waiter led her to a private room door.
She pushed open the door and saw a burly foreign man sitting boldly on the sofa.
"Miss Jones, you're here. Please sit," the man gestured to the sofa opposite him for Emily to sit down.
Emily held her handbag and walked over with an air of arrogance before sitting down on the sofa.
She didn't speak immediately but scrutinized the man in front of her, wondering about his relationship with Deanna and why he wanted to deal with her.