Third Person's POV
Cliff completely ignored Vanya beside him and strode forward, swiftly picking up Melinda and holding her in his arms.
He shouted, "Elliot! Go get the doctor! Hurry up!"
"Yes, Alpha Cliff!" Elliot glanced deeply at Melinda in Cliff's arms before rushing off.
Vanya couldn't help but sneer at the sight.
Melinda's fainting seemed too convenient—too perfectly timed.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of the situation, including Elliot, could sense something was amiss. Only Cliff, in his concern for Melinda, failed to notice.
Wilmot watched the scene with a burning heart and said to Vanya, "He just left you behind like that?"
"Isn't that normal?" Vanya replied, though she was genuinely surprised by Melinda's move.
Raven's gaze towards Vanya grew more hostile as she watched Melinda being carried away.
Vanya noticed Raven's look and raised an eyebrow.
It seemed Raven and Fawn believed that Melinda had fainted out of anger because of Vanya.
"She is really shameless. She's made Melinda so upset, and she still has the nerve to laugh," Raven muttered.
Fawn found the situation suspicious, but Raven's impulsive nature didn't allow her to think things through.
Seeing Vanya and her group about to pass by, Raven immediately sneered, "Melinda's boyfriend is gone, and yet someone still lingers here. I guess she's trying to hook up with more rich men."
Grace's brow furrowed at this remark. She grabbed Vanya's arm and turned to face Raven, "Who are you talking about?"
"Everyone knows who I'm talking about," Raven said, her tone aggressive and unafraid.
Fawn tugged at Raven's sleeve, signaling her to stop, but Raven carelessly brushed it off and said, "Not only did she flirt with Wilmot at school, but she also comes to such an event to show off. Disgusting!"
Wilmot, known for his short temper, exploded upon hearing this. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Seeing Wilmot's anger, Raven's expression wavered for a moment, but she quickly put on a concerned face and said to Wilmot, "Wilmot! I'm doing this for your own good! Don't you know this woman is trying to steal Melinda's boyfriend? She even chased him to school! How can you defend such a woman?"
Grace was both amused and annoyed, retorting, "Melinda's boyfriend? Who?"
Raven's eyes were full of contempt as she scornfully said, "You're no better either. You look like you're involved in the same kind of shady deals as her! You have no right to question me!"
"Damn it! My short temper!" Grace was provoked and lunged forward, but Derrick was faster.
He shouted loudly, "Who the hell are you calling out?"
Derrick's loud voice immediately caught the attention of Raven's parents, who were not far away.
Seeing Derrick standing next to their daughter, they quickly pulled Fawn's parents and hurried over.
"What's going on? What's the commotion about?" Raven's father put on an air of seniority, clearly intending to protect his daughter.
"Dad! They're bullying me!" Raven was always her father's favorite. Upon hearing this, Raven's father scrutinized the people in front of him and deliberately asked, "Who here is bullying my daughter?"
"It's me. So what?" Derrick replied coldly.
Raven's father, in his condescending tone, sneered, "So young and dressed so decently. Do you know what kind of occasion this is? Your parents should teach you some manners!"
Raven's face changed slightly. She quickly tugged at her father's sleeve, whispering, "Dad, he's Derrick..."
"What Derrick? Never heard of him! This is a Hammond family banquet, not his!"
Hearing this, Raven's face turned pale.
Wilmot sneered, "Is that so? You do know this is a Hammond family event?"
"Who are you, kid?" Raven's father frowned, clearly annoyed.
Wilmot scoffed, "Don't you even know who sent you the invitation?"
Raven's father suddenly realized something was off.
Raven quietly said, "He's the second son of the Hammond family."
Upon hearing this, Raven's father immediately lost his earlier arrogance.
His face was now full of smiles, "Ah, Mr. Hammond. I could tell you had an extraordinary presence. But why are you associating with this group? These young people don't seem to be up to any good. Don't let them corrupt you, Mr. Hammond."
"It seems my Simpson family's reputation doesn't compare to the Hammond family's," Derrick's face was full of indifference. Vanya had never seen him this angry before.
Raven insulted Grace as a woman involved in shady deals. It had provoked Derrick's fury.
Fawn's father couldn't help but ask quietly, "What exactly happened? Why did you argue with Mr. Simpson?"
Before Fawn could speak, Raven quickly said, "This woman, who's involved in shady deals, is trying to steal our roommate's boyfriend. She even made our roommate faint just now. We were just upset and said a few words!"
Wilmot roared in anger, "Full of shit! Say that again, and I swear I'll tear your mouth apart!"