Cliff's POV
Vanya was taken aback. I draped the jacket over Melinda's shoulders, looked at Vanya, and said coldly, "I've said it before, Melinda and I have never crossed any boundaries."
In truth, I was aware that my recent interactions with Melinda had been somewhat frequent, and it was understandable that Vanya would be upset.
But I always felt I had a clear conscience. I was merely supporting Melinda. After all, she was alone at school, and she was my true mate.
"Crossed boundaries? What exactly counts as crossing boundaries?" Vanya let out a soft laugh. "The one who accompanies you to various galas is Melinda. When she falls ill, one phone call and you rush over. For her, you've repeatedly embarrassed me, your wife, in front of everyone."
With each word Vanya spoke, my expression darkened.
I knew that I had been negligent. I had been so focused on helping Melinda that I hadn't considered Vanya's feelings. But I truly hadn't meant to embarrass her.
She stepped forward, looked straight into my eyes, and said, word for word, "Cliff, it's not just about having a relationship that counts as crossing boundaries. The way you two are now is even more disgusting."
Vanya's words made me stiffen.
I suddenly realized that my actions might indeed have been excessive. I had been too focused on Melinda and neglected Vanya. No wonder she was so angry.
She took Grace's hand and said, "Let's go."
Grace followed Vanya away, spitting contemptuously at me as she left.
"Alpha Cliff..." Melinda tugged at my sleeve cautiously, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
"What about the bulletin board incident?" I suddenly asked, with a vague sense of foreboding. I had a feeling that Melinda was somehow involved in this.
Melinda's face changed slightly, but she quickly put on a pitiful expression. "It was someone at school who was jealous of Luna Vanya's beauty, so they spread vulgar rumors about her. Luna Vanya misunderstood and thought I was the one who did it, so..."
I frowned. I never inquired about Vanya's school affairs and had no idea that someone was spreading rumors about her there.
Vanya had never mentioned it to me.
I couldn't help but feel frustrated. As a husband, I didn't even know my wife was being bullied at school. What kind of husband was I?
"Cliff, I really didn't do it. I've already explained to Luna Vanya, but she insists it was me..."
I remained silent. Looking at Melinda's appearance, I began to doubt whether she was really involved.
She usually seemed so innocent. She probably wouldn't do something like that.
Melinda bit her lip, afraid I wouldn't believe her, and continued, "The dean investigated the bulletin board incident and confirmed it was someone else, not me. But Luna Vanya has a prejudice against me and refuses to believe me."
Seeing Melinda crying softly with her head down, I couldn't bear to say anything harsh. I just patted her head and said, "Go to class. I've already talked to the dean about your study abroad plans. Your grades have been slipping lately. If you can get back to being the top student in your department on the next exam, you'll be guaranteed a spot for overseas study."
I did this partly because I wanted her to have a bright future and partly because I wanted her to focus more on her studies and stay out of these messy situations.
Seeing that I was about to leave, Melinda was taken aback. She hugged me from behind and whispered, "Alpha Cliff, I... I don't want to study abroad. Can I not go?"
I frowned and turned to look at Melinda, "Studying abroad is a big decision. Tell me why you don't want to go." I was puzzled. She had always been eager to study abroad before. Why the sudden change of heart?
Melinda looked at me but didn't reveal her true thoughts.
"I just... want to stay at school and take the postgraduate entrance exam instead."
I fell silent for a moment and said, "If that's your decision, I'll talk to the dean. However, this year's postgraduate entrance exam has already ended, so you'll have to wait."
I thought that since she had made up her mind, I should respect her decision, but the sudden change made me feel uneasy.
"I know. I'll study hard for the exam," Melinda's face turned slightly red.
After dropping Melinda off at school, I left the campus.
Elliot had been waiting in the car for a while and asked, "Alpha Cliff, shall we head back to the company?"
"How's the investigation going on the matter I asked you to look into last time?"
"It turns out that the two friends of Miss Coleman spread rumors that Luna Vanya was involved in improper dealings because someone at Wolfe posted rumors about Luna Vanya on the bulletin board recently..." Elliot paused, not daring to continue, and instead sent me a photo from his phone.
The photo showed someone had taken a picture of the bulletin board and posted it on the campus network. The headline read "Campus Queen Turns Out to Be a Call Girl! Shady Deals to Get into Wolfe."
The photos were even more distasteful.
Thinking of Vanya being so defamed, I was filled with anger.
"Who did this?"