Chapter 19

Vanya's POV

"I have a clear understanding of who Theodore is, and I don't need you guys to interfere," I said coldly.

"I..." Melinda bit her lip, looking hurt.

Cliff, however, spoke sternly, "Melinda is looking out for you. Don't be ungrateful and get involved with people you shouldn't."

Melinda tugged at Cliff's sleeve, seemingly blaming him for being too harsh.

Watching this scene, I sneered inwardly.

Anyone unaware of the situation might genuinely think Melinda was his wife.

"In any case, you should stay away from Theodore. You're a pride of the heavens, and he is a barbarian without manners. How could you possibly have any connection with him!"

"Bang!" Suddenly, the sound of a cane striking the floor echoed from not far away.

Everyone turned to look and saw a white-haired older man standing in the center of the lobby.

I glanced back and felt a strong sense of familiarity with this old man.

It took me a moment to recall, but I recognized him as the old gardener who had been arranging vases in the lobby earlier.

Now, he had changed into a sharp suit, accompanied by two stern bodyguards, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Especially his eyes, stern and with a hint of chilling fierceness that made one hesitate to approach.

"This is Mr. Adrian Winston," the bodyguard beside the old man announced loudly.

The people around raised their glasses respectfully in his direction.

At this moment, Melinda was the only one with an extremely embarrassed expression.

I understood because she couldn't have imagined that the old man she had just scolded was Mr. Winston himself!

He was the former Lycan King.

Soon, Theodore stepped out from behind Mr. Winston and stood beside him, gently supporting his arm.

Seeing this, a sense of foreboding suddenly welled up in my heart.

Theodore looked at me, his lips curling into a meaningful smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today I have invited you all to announce that Theodore is my grandson, and the sole heir to the Winston family."

Mr. Winston's gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Melinda.

His eyes were as cold as an ice cellar in the dead of winter.

That gaze made Melinda shiver involuntarily.

Mr. Winston said coldly, "He is not a barbarian without manners."

These words shocked the entire room, with everyone showing disbelief.

Only my heart pounded violently in my chest, as if trying to leap out of my throat.

This wasn't right!

According to the original timeline, it should have been three years after when Mr. Winston died that Theodore's identity was revealed.

Had my rebirth inadvertently changed all this?

Unlike my shock, Melinda's face turned as pale as a paper at Mr. Winston's words.

I glanced at her, her eyes full of confusion.

Indeed, the packs in Los Angeles all knew that Theodore was an orphan.

No one would have guessed that he was Mr. Winston's grandson, the descendant of the Lycan King.

The words she had just spoken must have been heard by Mr. Winston.

Melinda would naturally be panicked because offending Mr. Winston would likely mean no future in the financial world.

Soon, she looked to Cliff for help like a helpless child.

"Mr. Winston, Melinda just spoke out of turn. Considering her young age, please don't take it personally," Cliff pleaded.

Mr. Winston merely snorted, "I heard that there was a genius in Mr. Todd's circle, but it seems it's nothing more than that."

Hearing this, Melinda's face turned ashen.

Clearly, she had completely lost any favor with Mr. Winston.

I took in the whole scene, realizing that even Cliff's intercession would be futile at this point.

After all, Melinda had spoken so disparagingly about his grandson. The fact that he hadn't thrown her out on the spot was already showing great restraint.

Cliff seemed to realize this as well, pressing his lips together and falling silent.

When Mr. Winston's gaze shifted to me, it softened a bit, "You must be the one from the Dalton family, right?"

I snapped back to reality, seeing him initiating a conversation with me, and nodded, saying, "I am Vanya Dalton."

"Mr. Dalton wasn't much to look at when he was young, but his granddaughter turned out to be quite a beauty. Over forty years ago, I was a close friend of your grandfather. Time flies, and now you've grown into such a graceful young lady."

Close friends?

In my memory, my grandfather always seemed carefree, never concerned with the affairs of the pack or the family business, and he passed away early.

I had never heard of him having such a friendship with Mr. Winston.

As I was unsure how to respond, Mr. Winston took a step closer and asked, "Have you found your mate?"

I nodded again, "I am mated."

"Oh? Who is it?"

I instinctively glanced at Cliff, who was beside me.

Upon seeing Cliff, Mr. Winston's expression soured immediately.

"So it's the grandson of Todd."

Cliff, hearing this, only smiled slightly, "My grandfather often spoke of Mr. Winston when he was alive. It seems you had quite a relationship in the past."

"Who said I had a good relationship with him!"