Vanya's POVI frowned and said firmly, "Alpha Cliff, we agreed to stay out of each other's way.""Can you take care of yourself living alone?" Cliff looked at me, his eyes filled with doubt."I can," I answered without hesitation."Is this how you take care of yourself?" Cliff gestured towards my weakened body lying in the hospital bed, leaving me speechless.I explained helplessly, "I just catch colds easily during the changing seasons, and this time, it's a bit more severe.""There's no discussion about it," Cliff's attitude remained firm."Cliff!" I raised my voice, trying to change his mind."Vanya!" Cliff also raised his volume, coldly saying, "Don't you even listen to me now?"I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and said, "Alpha Cliff, attending Wolfe is my own decision. We are just a business marriage, in other words, a contractual marriage. I will be a dignified Mrs. Todd and Luna Vanya in front of others, but you can't interfere with me or harm my interests.""C
Melinda's POVToday, when coming to the second teaching building for class, I deliberately took a few extra steps in that direction.I had put in a lot of effort in preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam and was well-acquainted with the daily schedule of the graduate students at Wolfe.I knew the graduate students would be having classes here these days."Melinda, our classroom is upstairs. Come here," Raven said, tugging at my arm and urging me to hurry.I hesitated and then said, "You guys go ahead. I'll be there in a bit.""You've been having Fawn sign you in for the past few days. What if the teacher doesn't pass you because of this?" Raven looked at me worriedly."You can trust me. I won't fail," I said with confidence in the professional knowledge I had mastered. I had this confidence and courage."Alright, I'm going up then," Raven said helplessly, then turned and walked upstairs.Seeing no one was paying attention to me, I walked towards the corridor.I was thinking abou
Vanya's POV"Sure, where are we going?"I changed my mind, intending to find out what she wanted after going to such lengths to meet me."I'll take you there." Beata warmly took my hand, acting overly familiar.In this graduate class, everyone came from high society, and interpersonal relationships were complicated.Since joining this class, I quietly investigated everyone, and others must also probe into each other's backgrounds.Beata led me to a car, and we soon arrived at a nightclub nearby.She took me out of the car, and upon entering the nightclub, I found that someone had already booked a private room.Compared to the noisy environment outside, the private room was slightly quieter.As soon as the door to the room opened, I saw Wilmot sitting on the sofa.Dressed in punk attire, his eyes were cold and sharp, and his naturally fierce appearance revealed a strong, wild aura.When I saw the car behind Beata, I guessed it was Wilmot who wanted to see me.As expected, Beata conveni
Vanya's POV"There are no cameras here, and it's noisy outside. No one will notice this small private room. You're afraid that our meeting will be known by Cliff or Edwin, so how dare you touch me here?"I sat down on the sofa leisurely, picked up an apple, and took a bite.Such places were not unfamiliar to me. Private rooms with an S-level of secrecy like this were usually where big shots conducted secret transactions.The confidentiality was extremely high. Not only would no word leak, but not even a fly could escape unnoticed.Looking at Wilmot, I said with a hint of disdain, "Wilmot, put away your childish ideas of threatening people. You can't scare me at all."The kidnapping by Jasper last time was much more serious than this. Compared to that, Wilmot's little tricks were nothing.Wilmot's face became a bit awkward. My deliberate provocation made his expression even more gloomy."Do you really think I dare not do anythin
Vanya's POVI knew Wilmot was referring to Beata.I was already aware of the relationship between the Steele and Hammond families, which was why I got into Beata's car.If it had been anyone else, I would have been wary.I said with a smile, "I'll take that as your concern for me."Wilmot glanced away disdainfully, "You're far too confident."I walked out of the nightclub wearing Wilmot's coat.The next morning, my phone buzzed on the bedside table.I thought it was an alarm, only to see missed calls when I picked it up.There were calls from Cliff, Elliot, and Aldridge. The last missed call was from Theodore.I frowned, sensing something was amiss.I quickly returned Cliff's call, but it was hung up quickly.Then, I called Aldridge, and he answered promptly this time.Aldridge was furious, "Vanya! Where were you last night?""I was out with classmates last night," I repli
Vanya's POVI knew that for a man like Cliff, who had been through countless storms in the business world, this kind of exposure was nothing more than a minor annoyance.Otherwise, he wouldn't have just made one phone call in the morning and then taken no further action.I thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, I was the one who made the mistake first, so of course, I'll do whatever you say.""Accompany me to media events," Cliff's voice still had no ups and downs."Is it that simple?" I couldn't help but be skeptical.How could Cliff just let go of this opportunity to use me so easily?This wasn't like his style at all.Cliff put down the newspaper, looked at me, and said slowly, "Being a loving couple is not as simple as you think."Seeing his expression, I instantly understood his thoughts.Yes, facing someone you don't like, even just doing one more intimate action, would feel extremely uncom
Vanya's POV"Take it easy."Cliff whispered, his voice lowered as if it was just a casual reminder to me by his side."I'm not nervous," I whispered back.I faced the various cameras in front of me, acting very relaxed.Cliff remembered that I rarely attended such occasions in the past.It was because I was protected by my family and didn't participate much in the public activities of the Dalton family.And after I became Cliff's mate, he demanded that I stay with the pack as Luna.Of course, what he didn't know was how much effort I had made in my previous life to get closer to Cliff.Unfortunately, until my death in the previous life, Cliff never knew what I had done for him.Soon, the emcee finished the introduction, and Cliff led me onto the stage.The media below all picked up their cameras. There had been news about the two of us recently, and many media outlets wanted to seize the opportunity to grab
Vanya's POVCliff's words surprised me a bit.I knew he hadn't been this way with Melinda before.What was going on today?Had his wolf lost its sense for her?Soon, I realized it was probably because of that reporter's question earlier, making Cliff cautious.Hearing Cliff's words, Melinda's eyes couldn't hide her disappointment.But she obediently nodded, "Okay, I'll go back now."Watching Melinda's lonely departure, a flicker of regret crossed Cliff's face.I guessed he was thinking if his tone was too harsh just now."A girl's heart is very fragile. If you want to comfort her, go ahead," I said softly, looking at Cliff."You want me to comfort her?" Cliff frowned, his tone filled with suspicion."Isn't she your true mate? How can it be that her sadness doesn't affect your wolf?" I explained calmly.Cliff pursed his lips and didn't say a word.Seeing his lack of response, I continued
Third Person's POVCliff immediately pushed open the bathroom door. The room was filled with steam and a faint, sweet scent.The smell was oddly familiar to Cliff, as if he had encountered it before.But Melinda didn't give Cliff time to think. She threw herself into his arms. Feeling the smooth skin and the warm touch, Cliff shuddered and tried to push Melinda away.However, Melinda wrapped her arms around his neck. Her face was flushed with a hint of red. Her eyes were filled with desire."Alpha Cliff... I really can't live without you. Don't you like me?" Melinda's voice was unusually soft and seductive.Cliff felt an unfamiliar sensation rising within him. Just a gentle touch was enough to ignite the desire he had been suppressing."Cliff, look at me. You used to care for me the most," Melinda said, standing on her tiptoes and placing a kiss on the edge of Cliff's lips.She then teasingly ran her tongue along his lips, a mo
Third Person's POVCalvert noticed Vanya's hesitation and said, "Don't worry, I checked. There are no cameras around here."Vanya frowned and asked, "Don't you have to go for a photoshoot?""I've finished for today, but I'll probably be around for the next few days. I still have some ads to shoot," Calvert replied."Then go ahead and get busy. I'll do the same," Vanya said, preparing to leave.But Calvert stopped her, placing the takeout bento in her hand. "It's from my grandma.""Mine?" Vanya asked, surprised.Calvert added, "She made it specially for you."Ever since Vanya had visited Calvert's home last time, his grandmother had taken a liking to her.Vanya accepted it with a bit of embarrassment. After all, it was Grandma Sutton's kind gesture."Tell her thank you for me," Vanya said, patting Calvert's shoulder as she left."Keep up the good work! Your future is bright."Calvert watched Vanya's r
Vanya's POVGrace noticed my thoughtful expression and asked, "Did Cliff suspect you when you went back to the Silver Moon Packhouse today?""He did suspect me, but... it wasn't quite what I expected," I replied."What do you mean 'not quite what you expected'? Isn't suspicion just suspicion?" Grace hugged a pillow, her curiosity piqued as she waited for me to explain.I said, "He gave me a ring today and said... he likes me."After I finished, Grace was stunned. "Cliff?""Yes," I confirmed."This feels like something my silly brother Theo would do," Grace said, looking puzzled.I rested my chin on my hand and thought carefully before saying, "Cliff probably likes Melinda. He's saying this because of M Group. Right now, the Todd Group can't afford any more scandals. He wants to keep me stable. As long as we don't divorce or cause trouble during this period, he can avoid a lot of headaches."I repeated to myself, as if tr
Vanya's POV"Enough! Cliff, bickering with a woman like this isn't like you. What do you really want by calling me back? Don't tell me it's because you're jealous that I was at Wilmot's birthday. I won't believe such a ridiculous thing coming out of your mouth," I said.Cliff opened his mouth but couldn't find any words."About Melinda, I was wrong about you," Cliff suddenly said.I thought I had misheard."Are you... apologizing to me?"Cliff's expression froze.I looked at him and asked again, "You didn't call me back just to apologize, did you?"Cliff was silent."I knew it was for the apology," I couldn't help but say."Vanya, you..." Cliff's face turned a bit sour.He was used to being in control and having others submit to him. Admitting he was wrong was a big step for him.Cliff tried to stay calm and said, "I was wrong about this. I shouldn't have accused you. But Melinda didn't deserve to go
Vanya's POV"Sorry, Mr. Hammond, but Alpha Cliff sent me to bring Luna Vanya home," Elliot said, looking at me. "Luna Vanya, Alpha Cliff is very concerned about you. Please come back with us.""What if I don't want to go back?" I asked.Elliot paused for a moment, then said, "Then I'm afraid we'll have to insist."The bodyguards behind Elliot immediately stepped forward. Wilmot tightly shielded me, saying, "Don't worry, I'm here!"I wasn't actually scared. I knew that even if Elliot couldn't take me away, he wouldn't dare cause a scene at the Hammond residence.However, the fact that the Todd family could so easily enter the Hammond residence was quite surprising.It seemed that Cliff's position as the top businessman in Los Angeles was well-deserved.If things really escalated, no one would come out unscathed."Wait." I gently patted Wilmot's back and stepped in front of him. "Today is Wilmot's birthday party. Bringing
Vanya's POVGrace, holding the skirt of her Lolita dress, ran over and said, "Wilmot's been looking for you everywhere. He's frantic. You should change out of that costume quickly. We'll head back soon!""Alright," I replied, thinking to myself that Cliff would probably send Elliot to find me any minute now.I glanced at Theodore one last time before following Grace back to the dressing room.After quickly changing and removing my makeup, I followed Grace out of the dressing room, only to bump into Wilmot, who had come to find me."What are you two doing here?" Wilmot frowned. "I couldn't find you after we entered. Where did you go?""I suddenly needed to use the restroom," I said, using the first excuse that came to mind.Hearing this, Wilmot's face seemed to flush slightly.He turned his head and said, "Let's go. There's nothing fun here anymore.""Good! Let's get out of here. I don't think there's anything fun here ei
Third Person's POV"Unsure?" Vanya turned around in surprise at Theodore's words and said, "If he doesn't come today, then all my efforts would be in vain.""Whether he comes or not doesn't matter. As long as he knows that the M Group's masked ball is packed with guests, that's enough," Theodore replied.Vanya sensed a hint of jealousy in his tone."That's true...""But you just want to annoy him, don't you?"Vanya couldn't deny it, but she wasn't that naive."If he comes and sees that Kendrick doesn't look anything like me, he won't suspect me anymore," she said.To create the Kendrick persona, she had put in a lot of effort. This time, she planned to wear flats, don a clown outfit, and appear in front of Cliff, making him completely drop his suspicions about her."Vanya? Vanya? Are you ready?" Grace's voice called from outside the door.Vanya, now dressed as a clown, opened the door to see Grace in a Lolita outf
Vanya's POVIn the afternoon, the Hammond family's lobby was decorated exceptionally lively.Wilmot usually surrounded himself with friends who were more like troublemakers, rarely hosting a proper birthday party.Tonight, many rich second-generation heirs and socialites had shown up, but Wilmot was completely uninterested in them.These people had simply heard that the second son of the Hammond family was celebrating his birthday and had brought gifts to get close. In reality, Wilmot couldn't even remember most of their names.I sat to one side, occasionally glancing at the clock.The masked ball had already started, and I was racking my brain for a good excuse to take Wilmot away.Just then, Edwin's personal bodyguard approached us."Alpha Edwin says there's a masked ball tonight. He wants you to attend on his behalf, but under no circumstances should you reveal your identity or let anyone know that someone from the Hammond f
Vanya's POV"Vanya!" From a distance, Wilmot, dressed in workout clothes, ran over. He must have just finished his morning exercise.His bright red hair was particularly eye-catching, and I spotted him from far away."Up so early. Have you had breakfast yet?" he asked."Not yet," I replied, pointing to the people going in and out of the second-floor study. "Is it always like this at your place every morning?""Not usually. Things have just been busier lately," Wilmot said, taking my hand. "Come on, let's go eat.""Grace hasn't woken up yet. I should wake her up," I said."No need. Grace loves to sleep in. I'll have them make it when she gets up." Wilmot insisted.I was about to agree when he added, "Besides, Edwin should be eating too. His private chef is really good.""N-no, that's okay," I tried to decline, but Wilmot said, "What's there to be afraid of? We're all family here!"I reluctantly followed Wilmot to t