Third Person's POV
As dusk settled, Vanya lay back in her chair at M Group, while Derrick anxiously said, "Cliff's move is pretty ruthless. He's got all the companies participating except for M Group. This is clearly an attempt to isolate us."
"It's not just isolation; it's forcing everyone to take sides," Vanya replied with a faint smile.
She knew all too well the tactics Cliff would use and had anticipated this move ever since she had Derrick buy trending topics on Twitter.
Cliff was still playing his usual domineering game.
Theodore chimed in, "Do you have a plan to counter this?"
"We'll do our own thing while he does his," Vanya said.
"You mean counter him? Come on, M Group is strong, but those companies aren't fools. They won't risk offending Cliff for an uncertain future with M Group. They'd rather offend you and try to make amends once you succeed," Derrick argued.
"Of course I know that," Vanya said, sitting up straight. "That's why I'm planning a masked ball. Top secrecy—five stars. The attendees won't know each other's identities."
With that, she picked up a badge from the table.
"I've had two hundred of these custom-made. Tomorrow, they'll be sent to the top two hundred companies. No invitation needed—just the badge gets you in, and it'll be collected at the end of the night."
Derrick scoffed, "These badges aren't worth much. Might as well just give them away."
Vanya smiled enigmatically. "These badges are far more useful than you think."
She extended a finger and added, "Also, spread the word that M Group's CEO, Kendrick, will be attending and enjoying the masked ball with everyone."
Derrick looked puzzled, but Theodore had already grasped Vanya's intentions.
Vanya played with the badge in her hand, her eyes gleaming with interest.
Over the past few months, she had made the name Kendrick quite famous, building up an air of mystery around it—all for this very moment.
At the Todd Group gala that night, Cliff looked over the crowd, but there was no hint of joy on his face.
Elliot reported beside him, "Alpha Cliff, I've had it checked. All the important figures from the companies are here, except for M Group, which wasn't invited."
"Hmm," Cliff responded, seemingly uninterested.
Elliot, puzzled, asked, "Alpha Cliff, are you worried about something?"
Cliff paused for a moment, then asked, "Has M Group made any moves?"
Elliot shook his head. "No word. Maybe they know they've offended us and are lying low."
Cliff frowned.
He couldn't believe that the person behind M Group would do nothing.
His recent actions were clearly a declaration of his sovereignty in Los Angeles.
If M Group didn't respond, it would become the laughingstock of the business world the next day. No one would ever compare M Group with the Todd Group again.
All of M Group's efforts would be in vain.
He couldn't believe the person behind M Group would be that foolish and self-defeating.
"Keep a close eye on M Group and report to me immediately if there's any news," Cliff ordered.
"Yes, Alpha Cliff," Elliot replied, preparing to leave. Just then, Cliff seemed to remember something and asked, "Where's Vanya?"
As Luna, she should be present at an event like this.
"The dress has been delivered as you instructed, but... whether Luna Vanya will come is uncertain," Elliot replied.
At that moment, the gala doors opened, and Cliff looked up to see a figure in burgundy. His expression flickered with complexity, but when he saw the face, it darkened again.
Melinda, dressed in a burgundy gown and with an elaborate hairstyle and makeup, smiled brightly as she approached Cliff.
"Cliff, am I late?" she asked shyly.
"Where did you get that dress?" Cliff asked coldly, instead of responding warmly.
Melinda was taken aback. "Didn't Elliot give it to me?"
Cliff glanced coldly at Elliot, who quickly denied, "Alpha Cliff, I didn't!"
He had handed the dress to the doorman, specifically instructing him to give it to Luna Vanya.
"Cliff, what do you mean? This dress wasn't for me?" Melinda's eyes welled up with tears, looking pitiful.
Cliff, seeing Melinda's heavy makeup and bright red lips, couldn't help but think of Vanya.
He averted his gaze and said coldly, "You don't suit this kind of dress. Go change it."
Stunned by Cliff's indifference, Melinda stood there, unsure of what to do.
Elliot stepped forward and said, "Miss Coleman, please come upstairs to change."
Melinda nodded quietly and began to walk away, but Cliff added coldly, "And take off that makeup before you come back down."