It had to be said, the latter part of the conversation struck a chord with Lance.
Indeed, if Deanna were to encounter the same situation as yesterday, aside from Gunner, only Eula's team might be able to check on her.
Seeing Lance's hesitation, a cunning glint flashed in Eula's eyes.
She then turned to Deanna and gently persuaded her, "Miss Jones, I know you don't want to trouble me or involve me, but you know that I have a collaboration with Lance. If something happens on Lance's side, I won't just stand by and do nothing. So, rest assured and stay here without overthinking it."
Her words almost directly implied that Deanna should not be willful and make things difficult for Lance.
Lance didn't understand the subtleties of women's conversations, so he didn't catch the underlying meaning.
But Deanna did.
She not only heard Eula calling her willful but also sensed Eula's disdain as if saying her presence was of no help to Lance and even a burden.
Because of this, Deanna felt a surge of anger in her chest.
She wanted to retort but held back rationally.
If she opposed now, wouldn't it confirm Eula's accusation of her being willful?
She needed to show this woman that she was neither willful nor a burden to Lance.
"Since you're so graciously inviting us, it would be ungrateful of us to insist on leaving."
Deanna responded to Eula with a forced smile and then turned to Lance with a gentle smile, "Lance, since Miss Eula is so sincere in inviting us to stay, let's stay."
Lance looked down slightly and saw Deanna's obviously fake smile, frowning subtly.
However, he didn't say anything. He glanced at Eula sitting beside him and nodded in agreement, "It's up to you. I'll follow your lead."
"Then we'll stay. Miss Eula, sorry for the trouble in the coming days."
Deanna said this with another polite smile towards Eula.
Eula smiled lightly and waved her hand to indicate it was no trouble.
Thus, their confrontation came to an end.
On the surface, it seemed Deanna was at a disadvantage.
But was that really the case?
Gunner squinted his eyes, glancing between Deanna and Eula with a meaningful smile.
Later, after finishing their meal, everyone returned to the living room.
Eula found Lance, who was always by Deanna's side, increasingly annoying.
"Lance, do you have some time now? There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you."
"Sure, go ahead to the study first. I'll be there shortly."
Lance looked at her and nodded.
Eula had no choice but to head to the study first.
Seeing this, Lance held Deanna's hand and asked Gunner, "Mr. Martinez, could you please look after Deanna while I'm away?"
"Go ahead, I'll keep an eye on her."
Gunner waved his hand, signaling Lance to leave without worry.
After Lance left, Gunner looked at Deanna lovingly and said with a smile, "You two seem to have a good relationship."
"Our relationship is good, but it's full of ups and downs."
Deanna sighed softly as she sat beside him.
Gunner understood the implication behind her words.
He looked at Deanna and said meaningfully, "Ups and downs don't necessarily mean trouble. Sometimes they are part of growth. A smooth journey isn't always good; it can make one regress and unable to withstand hardships, becoming like a flower in a greenhouse, dependent on others."
Hearing these words, Deanna looked up at him in surprise.
"Master..."
"Miss Eula is quite a worthy opponent."
Gunner stood up from the sofa but didn't continue the topic. Instead, he changed the subject with a smile, "The weather looks nice outside. Accompany me for a walk in the garden."
Deanna naturally didn't refuse.
The two strolled through the garden, chatting and laughing, becoming a picturesque scene for others.
From the third floor, Lance stood by the window, looking down at the elderly man and young woman below with gentle eyes.
Eula noticed that despite talking for a long time, the man across from her showed no reaction. She frowned slightly.
Then she relaxed her expression, stood up slowly, and walked towards Lance.
As she approached, she saw Deanna walking in the garden with Mr. Martinez.
"No wonder you weren't responding; you were entranced by a beauty."
Eula teased as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked at him seductively. "Lance, I feel like you're not the same person I knew since you fell in love."
Hearing this, Lance reluctantly withdrew his gaze and turned to Eula calmly. "I have indeed changed a lot, but it's willingly because she's worth it."
After saying this, he couldn't help but look back at the garden below.
In the garden, Deanna was talking to Gunner about something with a bright and radiant smile on her face.