Vanya's POV
Grace, holding the skirt of her Lolita dress, ran over and said, "Wilmot's been looking for you everywhere. He's frantic. You should change out of that costume quickly. We'll head back soon!"
"Alright," I replied, thinking to myself that Cliff would probably send Elliot to find me any minute now.
I glanced at Theodore one last time before following Grace back to the dressing room.
After quickly changing and removing my makeup, I followed Grace out of the dressing room, only to bump into Wilmot, who had come to find me.
"What are you two doing here?" Wilmot frowned. "I couldn't find you after we entered. Where did you go?"
"I suddenly needed to use the restroom," I said, using the first excuse that came to mind.
Hearing this, Wilmot's face seemed to flush slightly.
He turned his head and said, "Let's go. There's nothing fun here anymore."
"Good! Let's get out of here. I don't think there's anything fun here either," I agreed, eager to leave.
Wilmot led us out. As we left, Grace winked at Derrick, who had also left the dance floor.
As soon as we stepped out of the club, my phone rang. The caller ID showed Elliot.
I raised an eyebrow. The call came quicker than I expected.
"Is it Cliff calling you?" Grace asked.
At the mention of Cliff, Wilmot's face darkened instantly.
He quickly stepped forward, grabbed my phone, and frowned as he said, "You're not answering that!"
"Stop messing around and give me my phone," I said, reaching for it, but Wilmot pressed the answer button and said into the phone, "Vanya's with me! Stop calling!"
I was stunned, and Grace looked equally surprised.
Wilmot hung up and handed me the phone, his expression a bit awkward. "Here you go!"
I took the phone, still dazed. I had been thinking about how to convince Cliff that I was at the Hammond residence for Wilmot's birthday, but I hadn't expected Wilmot to tell Elliot for me.
Grace stammered, "Aren't you... aren't you afraid Cliff will cause trouble for you?"
"What's there to be afraid of? Even if something happens, I'll take the blame," Wilmot said, pausing for a moment before adding nervously, "I mean, if something happens, Edwin will handle it. Cliff won't dare do anything to Edwin."
Grace shook her head helplessly.
Cliff's POV
Elliot's face looked a bit off after he hung up.
I was sitting in the car, wearily rubbing my temples, when I asked, "Where is Vanya?"
"Alpha Cliff... Luna Vanya..." Elliot hesitated.
"Tell me." I demanded.
"Luna Vanya's call was answered by Mr. Hammond. He said he's with Luna Vanya and told me not to call again," Elliot replied.
My eyes snapped open, revealing a dangerous and sharp look. "Vanya is still at the Hammond residence?"
"Our people say she hasn't left. She should still be at the Hammond residence," Elliot confirmed.
"Has she been there all day? Is she planning to stay at the Hammond residence forever?" My voice was filled with anger.
"Should we... go to the Hammond residence and bring Luna Vanya back?" Elliot suggested cautiously. "Luna Vanya wasn't at fault at last night's dinner. It was Miss Coleman who lied. Alpha Cliff, you've blamed Luna Vanya. It's time to bring her back."
"Not at fault? She came in and immediately took Wilmot's side! She ganged up with outsiders against me. Does she even consider me her husband? Does she see herself as Luna Vanya?"
Elliot was too scared.
I glared at him and ordered, "Send someone to bring her back right now. If she doesn't come back, she's not welcome here anymore!"
Elliot looked troubled. "Alpha Cliff..."
"Didn't you hear me?" I said coldly. "If she doesn't want to be this Luna, there are plenty of people who would."
Elliot bowed his head and replied, "Yes, I'll send someone to bring Luna Vanya back."
Vanya's POV
In the middle of the night, I returned to the Hammond residence and changed out of my party makeup and dress.
Wilmot's birthday party was still in full swing, with guests not yet leaving.
Grace ran over and said, "Wilmot's about to cut the cake. He insists on waiting for you to arrive before he does it. Let's hurry downstairs."
"Alright," I said, and we linked arms as we walked downstairs.
The party had attracted many young heirs and heiresses from wealthy families. Their eyes all fell on me.
"Isn't that Alpha Cliff's wife? Mr. Hammond was waiting for her..."
"I heard Alpha Cliff and she had a falling out. He's got a mistress on the side and is probably heading for divorce."
"Could it be that Mr. Hammond has taken a liking to her? A divorced woman—what on earth is Wilmot thinking?"
The whispers and speculations continued.
Wilmot, however, didn't seem to notice the gossip.
He quickly walked up to the second floor and gallantly extended his hand, saying, "Princess, this way."
I was amused by Wilmot's childish gesture. I was about to take his hand when the Hammond family's front door suddenly swung open. Several men in black suits marched in, forming two neat lines as Elliot walked through the middle.
Wilmot turned around, frowned at the sight of Elliot, and stepped in front of me, demanding, "Who gave you permission to come in?"
The guests were all too scared to make a sound. Everyone recognized Elliot by Alpha Cliff's side and knew that something significant was about to happen!