Vanya's POV
As night fell, Cliff had Elliot bring a gorgeous and dignified black French long dress for me.
After dressing up, I slowly descended the stairs from the second floor, where Cliff had been waiting for a while.
Although he had seen me in a burgundy dress last time, he still couldn't help but show a hint of amazement at my current attire.
"I'm ready," I said, lifting my head.
Cliff pursed his lips and responded, "I'll have Elliot bring the car around."
I didn't pay much attention to it and, upon opening the door, saw Elliot waiting at the door.
He was also quite surprised to see me in the dress.
"Luna Vanya, you look really stunning in that dress, even more beautiful than Ms. Coleman," Elliot blurted out.
At the mention of Melinda, Cliff immediately glanced at him.
Realizing his slip, Elliot quickly shut his mouth.
"It's okay," I said, not caring at all.
Upon arriving at the venue, Cliff helped me out of the car.
In an instant, everyone cast envious glances our way.
"Who is the female companion with Mr. Todd?"
"It seems to be Mrs. Todd."
"I've never seen Mr. Todd and Mrs. Todd be together before. they truly are a well-matched couple."
Cliff took my arm naturally.
I wanted to pull back, but with so many people watching, I had to go along with it.
I looked around and saw many faces I had seen in my previous life.
Cliff had a high reputation in the business world, and everyone at this international-level dinner was top-tier entrepreneurs, philanthropists, or real estate tycoons.
In my past life, I had put in a lot of effort in finance to please Cliff, but it was all to no avail.
At that moment, the sound of shattering glass caught everyone's attention.
An elderly man dressed as a gardener accidentally broke a rose vase, and the venue manager scolded the old man harshly.
The manager shouted rudely, "Where did this old man come from! Get him out of here!"
"Wait a moment," I stepped forward, picking up the roses from the ground.
I noticed that these roses had been carefully trimmed of their thorns and were of a very rare variety.
"Mrs. Todd, this old man broke the flowers that Mr. Winston prepared for everyone and disturbed everyone. I'll have someone take him out."
I said, "It was an accident. Could you please prepare a new basin? Since these roses on the ground were specially brought by Mr. Winston, it's a pity to just let them be admired. Why not ask the ladies present to take one in hand and feel Mr. Winston's intentions?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the manager also wisely waved his hand at the old gardener.
Cliff walked up to me and whispered, "I didn't expect you to be able to mobilize the atmosphere on the spot."
I replied nonchalantly, "It's just to please Mr. Winston."
Mr. Winston is not only the CEO of the Winston Group but also the Lycan King of the werewolf community behind the scenes.
Of course, his identity is unknown to the humans present.
However, only the Winston Group holds a significant position throughout the United States.
Melinda's POV
I took a taxi to the venue of the banquet.
As soon as I got out of the car, I felt the strange gazes around me keenly.
But I was so eager to get into the venue that I didn't pay much attention to these gazes.
I walked straight to the entrance, and the staff at the door looked me up and down, then glanced at the taxi that had just left, and asked, "Miss, do you have an invitation?"
This sudden question made me, who was about to step into the venue, freeze.
I had no idea that I needed an invitation to attend this event.
In the past, when I was with Cliff, I always had unrestricted access, and this was the first time I was stopped outside.
"I'm sorry, you can't come in without an invitation," the staff said firmly.
"I'm looking for Mr. Todd. I'm his date," I quickly made up a lie.
The staff scrutinized me again and then said, "Mr. Todd has already gone in with Mrs. Todd. And you are?"
At that moment, I felt the increasingly hot gazes around me, and a sense of shame and embarrassment surged into my heart.
At this time, Elliot saw me and immediately came forward to help. "Sorry, this is a staff member of our company."
The staff nodded upon hearing this and allowed me to enter.
I let out a sigh of relief, but Elliot said to me with a serious face, "Ms. Coleman, why are you here?"
"I... I, I just want to come here to gain some experience. Alpha Cliff always said I was too timid. In a few months, I'm going abroad. I want to get in touch with such occasions by myself. Can you take me in?"
I looked at him with eyes full of expectation and said earnestly.
Elliot hesitated.
I quickly continued, "I also want to learn quickly and come back to help Alpha Cliff. Last time, Luna Vanya spent five million dollars on an ordinary obsidian, which must have caused a lot of losses to the company and the pack. I think Luna Vanya doesn't understand the value of the ore. This time, many leaders in the financial industry are here. I'm afraid she won't be able to cope with Alpha Cliff by her side."
I spoke sincerely, trying to move him.
In the end, Elliot acquiesced.
I walked into the venue with joy, my eyes eagerly searching for Cliff.
Soon, I saw Cliff not far away, happily talking with others.
I excitedly lifted my skirt, ready to run over.
But I bump into an old man all of a sudden.
The vase in the hands of the old gardener was accidentally knocked over, and the water inside spilled directly on the corner of my skirt.
I subconsciously let out a scream, looked down at the dirty skirt, and my face instantly became very bad. "What's the matter with you? Don't you look where you're going?"