Third Person's POV
"Stop pretending. It's been so long since the incident, and you never once invited us out for a meal to apologize. What's the real deal? Now you're just trying to show off that your rich boyfriend bought you a house, right?"
Raven's voice was just loud enough to reach the ears of those around them. The surrounding people cast odd glances their way.
Raven had previously been accused of spreading rumors by the dean and had endured quite a few disdainful looks during that time.
She had no patience for Melinda now.
Melinda hadn't expected Raven's reaction to be so intense, nor had she anticipated that Raven would directly expose her vanity.
Her face turned pale instantly. "Raven, let's talk this through. I didn't mean it like that..."
Raven scoffed, "Who wants to talk this through with you?"
"Raven, I know I was wrong. This time, I genuinely want to apologize to you... can you just forgive me?" Tears rolled down Melinda's face one after another.
Fawn tugged at Raven, and Raven reluctantly sat back down, her face still full of discontent.
"You know, the school canceled my scholarship, and I'm really struggling now. I can't keep relying on my boyfriend... I paid for this meal with my own money," Melinda bit her lip, looking extremely wronged.
Fawn and Raven had heard about Melinda's scholarship being revoked. Their expressions softened a bit.
Melinda continued, "If you're willing to forgive me, I'll do anything. Raven, I know you've been wronged these past few days. I'll go to the dean and admit that I was the one who spread the rumors on the bulletin board, and it had nothing to do with you. Please don't ignore me anymore."
Raven turned her head away, probably moved by Melinda's words.
After all, they had been best friends for three years. They wouldn't have fallen out so badly if it weren't for Melinda's false accusation in front of the dean last time.
"Melinda, if you really go to the dean and admit it was you, we'll forgive you," being more pragmatic, Fawn wouldn't be swayed by Melinda's words alone.
Melinda seemed to make up her mind and said, "Alright, I'll go to the dean and admit it. I'm sorry."
Seeing Melinda's earnest expression, Fawn and Raven stopped their sarcastic words.
Vanya's POV
Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Melinda really had some skills.
However, lies were ultimately lies and would always be exposed eventually.
With great interest, I asked, "I heard there's a jewelry gala hosted by the Hammond family today?"
"Yeah, there is something like that," Wilmot didn't care about these things at all. His brother Edwin made decisions for the Hammond family.
"I remember that Raven and Fawn's families seem to run small businesses, right?"
"No idea, don't care," Wilmot looked indifferent, but seeing that I was interested in this, he asked, "Are you investigating them?"
"Not really. I just need a favor from you."
"Ask for my help?" Wilmot straightened his sleeves, "Do you want me to represent you, or..."
"I need you to help me send two invitations."
Wilmot was taken aback for a moment, then lightly furrowed his brows, "Just that?"
"Just that." I was particularly satisfied with this meal, but judging by Wilmot's expression, he seemed quite frustrated.
He was the second son of the Hammond family, and I asked him for help just to send two invitations. He must have felt a bit uncomfortable.
However, despite his possible discomfort, he had it done quite straightforwardly in the afternoon.
In the evening, I selected a gown for the gala. This gown wasn't particularly luxurious or expensive, but its burgundy color was exceptionally eye-catching. As soon as I put it on, it made people's eyes light up.
Theodore, seeing me come out in the dress, suddenly mentioned how I looked at the first auction. He said I seemed to be naturally suited to this color. Only I could wear such a bright dress without looking tacky, but instead, it made me noble and elegant.
Grace also couldn't help but say, "Theodore has such good taste. This dress looks amazing on you."
I gave a faint smile.
Theodore said, "Actually, it doesn't really matter whether you go to this gala or not. Do you have some special plan?"
I placed a finger to my lips, signaling for silence. "It's a secret."
Third Person's POV
The Hammond family's gala had a high threshold. Only the wealthiest and most influential entrepreneurs in Los Angeles were invited.
Melinda, dressed in a white gown, sat in Cliff's car, feeling somewhat nervous.
She had indeed often accompanied Cliff to various social events in the past, but those were all minor occasions.
This time, however, it was the Hammond family's gala. The Hammond family's status in Los Angeles was on par with Cliff's.
Out of the corner of her eye, Melinda glanced at Cliff sitting beside her. Besides her nervousness, she also felt a sense of joy and excitement.
She was actually accompanying Cliff to such an important event.
"Alpha Cliff, are you sure it's okay not to invite Luna Vanya to accompany you?"