Third Person's POV
Raven was frightened by Wilmot. She retreated two steps, shrinking behind her father, Tristan Schmidt.
Tristan had never seen his daughter so wronged, especially right in front of him.
He immediately said, "Mr. Hammond! Raven is a girl. You should let her have the last word. How could you..."
Tristan's words were cut short as Wilmot found it amusing. "Excuse me?"
Everyone around them wore expressions of anticipation, as if watching a drama unfold.
Who was Wilmot?
From a young age, only Edwin had been able to keep him in check. No outsider had ever dared to lecture him condescendingly.
Tristan's face fell as he said, "Even so, I am your elder!"
"Who do you think you are?"
Wilmot gave Tristan no respect.
In this circle, respect was only given to those who were more powerful.
These were just obscure small-business owners, making a few hundred thousand a month. If it weren't for Vanya sending them invitations, they would never have set foot in such a place in their lives.
"Mr. Hammond! This woman is nothing but a call girl. How could you humiliate us like this for a call girl? My family is still a business family. This woman has no status at all!"
Raven was crying now, feeling a bit more emboldened with Tristan in front of her.
Wilmot's gaze grew more menacing. "I said it once. Say that word again, and I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Raven was so frightened by Wilmot's look that she dared not move.
She couldn't understand why a call girl would make Wilmot so angry.
Grace spoke coldly, "Open your eyes wide and see clearly! She is Vanya, the eldest daughter of the Dalton family. Do I need to elaborate on the status of the Dalton family?"
Hearing the name Vanya, Raven was not unfamiliar with it. Fawn was also stunned.
Just a short while ago, they had seen news online about the Todd family couple shopping together.
The woman in front of them... was Vanya!
"No, no way! How could she be the eldest daughter of the Dalton family?"
Raven's face was full of disbelief.
Soon, Raven seemed to have found a logical flaw and said, "Even if she is the eldest daughter of the Dalton family, she's already married. Why would she still try to seduce other people's boyfriends? Do you expect me to believe your lies?"
"Yeah, if she is Miss Dalton, shouldn't she be here with Alpha Cliff?"
Fawn also couldn't believe that the woman in front of them was Vanya.
It completely overturned their understanding.
"Stop the noise," a cold and clear voice pierced through the crowd.
Vanya turned her head and saw a man sitting in a wheelchair. He was thin, wearing only a white shirt, looking somewhat frail. His features were delicate, with a gentle softness in his brows and eyes, but his eyes were cold. The family crest on his chest confirmed his identity.
Edwin, the current head of the Hammond family.
"Edwin," Wilmot could only stand aside upon seeing Edwin.
"Mr. Hammond, it's an honor to meet you!"
Tristan had never imagined that he would one day meet Edwin in person. Even Fawn's father, Vince Carpenter, rubbed his hands together, hoping to shake hands with Edwin.
But Edwin didn't even glance up. His tone remained gentle, yet devoid of any warmth. "Six of you causing a disturbance here is a disrespect to me. Wilmot, see them out on my behalf."
"Yes," Wilmot coldly said to Raven and Fawn's families, "Get out."
Raven's face changed slightly. "Mr. Hammond, your family sent us the invitation. We've just arrived. How can you ask us to leave? What kind of hospitality is this?"
Hearing this, Vanya couldn't help but think that Raven was incredibly bold.
Didn't they know Edwin?
Likely no one had ever dared to be so arrogant in front of him.
"Six of you, do you wish to experience the Hammond family's hospitality?"
Edwin's eyes held an unfathomable depth.
His face always wore a faint smile, but his words sent chills down one's spine.
Suddenly, several black-clad bodyguards stepped forward, grabbed the arms of the two families, and forcibly dragged them outside.
Raven's high heels fell off as she struggled. "Let go of me! What are you doing? Let go!"
In no time, the entire hall fell silent, as if the commotion had never happened.
"My apologies for the disturbance," Edwin's voice returned to its gentle tone, the coldness from moments ago gone.
Vanya couldn't help but scrutinize Edwin.
In her past life, she had few opportunities to interact with him. But seeing him in this life, she finally understood why the Hammond family had flourished under his leadership.
Such a man was truly inscrutable.
And an inscrutable man was the most terrifying of all.