Third Person's POV
"Misunderstanding?"
Grace pushed aside the bodyguards and walked in. "Wilmot is the second son of the Hammond family. He's been wronged and falsely accused by your lover. Do you really think you can just brush it off as a misunderstanding?"
Cliff was about to speak when he saw Edwin, seated in a wheelchair, behind Grace.
His brow furrowed deeply.
Vanya was also taken aback.
She hadn't expected Grace to fetch Edwin.
But... wasn't Edwin supposed to be frail and ill?
Seeing his pale complexion yet composed demeanor, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
Cliff frowned, "Mr. Hammond?"
Edwin had no intention of wasting words on Cliff. He raised a hand, and the bodyguards behind him moved to pull Melinda off the bed.
"What are you doing! Alpha Cliff... save me!" Melinda panicked, her body barely covered by a bath towel.
Her shoulders were exposed as the coat slipped off under the bodyguards' tug.
Cliff said coldly, "Edwin! Are you trying to take her right in front of me?"
Edwin replied indifferently, "She slandered my family and tarnished the Hammond family's reputation. Since you seemed reluctant to act, I'll make the decision for you and take her to the police station to be dealt with according to the law."
"Alpha Cliff... I don't want to go to jail... Save me!"
Melinda cried, tears streaming down her face.
Cliff frowned, "What if I stop you?"
Vanya interjected, "Alpha Cliff, think carefully before you speak. You know Melinda was in the wrong. Even favoritism should have its limits, right?"
Cliff was silent, and seeing his hesitation, Melinda cried, "Alpha Cliff, I didn't mean it... I was just so scared..."
Moved by Melinda's sobbing, Cliff eventually softened. "Mr. Hammond, let's settle this privately. Name your terms."
"Oh? Alpha Cliff, you're quite generous," Edwin said with a smile, raising his hand to signal the bodyguards to step back.
"Settling privately is not out of the question."
Hearing this, Melinda finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then I ask Alpha Cliff to hand Melinda over to me. We'll handle her according to the Hammond family's rules, and I'll release her afterward," Edwin said.
Upon hearing this, Cliff's face darkened.
The Hammond family's rules were notorious for being harsh.
The situation became tense. Cliff glanced at Vanya, as if he wanted to say something.
Vanya feigned confusion, "Alpha Cliff, why are you looking at me? Do you want me to plead for Melinda?"
"You..."Cliff's words caught in his throat.
Grace, seeing Cliff's expression, sneered, "How disgusting."
Cliff took a deep breath. He knew it was impossible to get Vanya to plead, but he couldn't let Edwin take Melinda away either.
Edwin, seeing Cliff's silence, said with a smile, "Alpha Cliff, have you made up your mind?"
"Alpha Cliff... Alpha Cliff, save me!"
Melinda looked at Cliff in sheer terror.
She knew that if she fell into Edwin's hands, she would be in serious trouble.
Everyone in L.A. knew that Edwin doted on Wilmot.
He would stop at nothing to avenge Wilmot.
Edwin twirled a ring on his finger and said, "Since Alpha Cliff isn't speaking, take her away."
"Wait!"
Cliff frowned and said, "Mr. Hammond, Melinda did wrong Wilmot this time. Sending her to the police station, I have nothing to say."
"Alpha Cliff!"
Melinda looked at Cliff in shock.
She never expected him to actually let the Hammond family take her to the police station.
Cliff walked over to Melinda, his eyes showing a hint of reluctance. "It's not a serious crime. I'll have someone pick you up in a few days."
"But..."
Melinda's face was full of grievance.
She knew that if she fell into Edwin's hands, it might be more than just a few days in jail.
But being sent to the police station would leave a mark on her record.
Her future employment would be difficult, and she would face judgment from others.
Cliff said nothing more and let Edwin's men take Melinda away.
Vanya watched coldly from the side.
She clearly remembered how much Cliff had favored Melinda in her past life. If it were the Cliff from her past, no matter who was here—Edwin or even Mr. Winston—Cliff would have fought against them.
He would never let Melinda suffer even a little harm.
Something had gone wrong in this life. Why had Cliff actually compromised with Edwin?
Vanya was puzzled.
Had Cliff lost his mind?
At that moment, Vanya looked up and met Cliff's gaze.
His eyes seemed to hold some complicated emotions.
"Vanya, let's go," Grace said, linking her arm with Vanya's as they walked out of the room.
Grace whispered to Vanya, "With Edwin here, there's nothing to worry about."
Vanya couldn't help but take a closer look at Edwin's back.
His figure was thin, and his complexion was even worse than the last time she had seen him.
Perhaps he really had come despite being ill.