third person's POV
Vanya thought it was funny and looked at Melinda with a mocking look: "Miss Coleman, business is like a battlefield. You try to guilt-trip people with just one word, 'hard work.' I don't think you're fit for an office job—you'd be better off as a nun in a church."
"You!" Melinda was left speechless.
"Mrs. Todd was right, our planning really wasn't good enough..." Evans sure didn't dare to offend Vanya at this moment.
After all, Cliff and she hadn't broken up yet, and he wasn't stupid enough to take sides with a lover first.
Vanya said, "Mr. Thompson, I was the boss of Dalton Media first, and Mrs. Todd second."
"Yes, yes, yes, President Dalton! I misspoke, please don't mind."
Evans quickly said, "If anything made you unhappy at our Thompson family business these days, please forgive us. It won't happen again!"
"Fine," Vanya said calmly. "I'm a reasonable person. I'll do what I'm supposed to do, and I won't slack off during the internship. But if something's not my responsibility, don't even think about dumping it on me."
She said this and threw a stack of papers on the table in front of Melinda.
Melinda's face looked terrible.
"CEO Dalton was right! Never again!" Evans quickly agreed.
Vanya smiled, "Alright then, I'll get back to work, and please sign here, Mr. Thompson."
"Okay! Okay! I'll sign right now!" Evans was so scared that he signed immediately, not even thinking about whether he could renew the contract with Calvert next year.
Made Mrs. Todd mad, now staying alive was more important than making money.
Melinda stood there, watching Vanya sitting at her desk, shaking with anger.
Vanya saw her like that, and the smile on his face got even bigger.
To put it simply, Melinda was a bit clever and did well academically, but she really didn't get the rules of this circle and thought that as long as she stuck with Cliff, she'd have nothing to worry about.
But actually, even if she really got some status, this circle still wouldn't accept someone like her who climbed up by being a mistress.
Just like Mirabel, even though she was officially his partner now and Aldrich loved her, she still got excluded by the ladies.
Just because their status didn't match, this position wasn't earned honorably.
Evans signed the contract and handed it to Vanya.
She didn't look at it and handed it straight to Stewart: "Stewart, take the contract back. You guys can go."
"Yes, CEO Dalton." Stewart gave Evans a deep look, his eyes sharp as a knife.
At that moment, Vanya's phone rang. It was a message from Calvert: "How's the battle going?"
Vanya replied, "So beautiful!"
Yesterday Calvert didn't say exactly how to help her, but she guessed the general idea.
Evans was still waiting on the side for instructions. Vanya said, "Everyone, go back to your own desks and get to work. It's work hours now. I'm still just an intern, Vanya. No need to be so formal."
Even though she said that, people around her didn't dare take it seriously.
Melinda said coldly, "What are you all standing around for? Get to work!"
Everyone immediately lowered their heads and got busy.
Melinda was still upset, but she turned around and went back to the office.
It wasn't long before Evans called Melinda into the general manager's office.
"Mr. Thompson, did you want to see me?" Melinda asked.
"Miss Coleman, I knew you were really talented, and honestly, working at our Thompson family business was beneath you..."
"You want to kick me out?" Melinda quickly picked up on what was really being said.
Evans said tactfully, "I'm just running a small company! Besides, the CEO, Dalton, is Cliff's wife. You being here probably wasn't a good idea."
He pretty much said straight out that she was a mistress.
Melinda didn't panic. She stepped forward and said, "Mr. Thompson, if you're worried about offending Vanya, don't worry. Cliff will break up with her soon, and I'll put in a good word for you with Cliff then."
"The problem wasn't here!"
Evans looked a bit troubled, "The thing is, Miss Dalton has the whole Dalton family behind her. Word just got out in the industry that the former chairman already handed all the Dalton family business over to Miss Dalton. Our Thompson family business can't afford to offend her."
Melinda was stunned. "What did you say? How is that possible?"
Melinda froze.
Wasn't Vanya just a rich young lady? How could the Dalton family possibly trust her to take over the whole family business?
"This can't be, you must have made a mistake!" This just didn't make any sense!
Evans said earnestly, "Miss Coleman, how could I lie to you? I could afford to offend the boss of Dalton Media, but I couldn't afford to offend the boss of Dalton Group!"
Hearing this, Melinda felt like all her strength was suddenly drained.
Vanya took over the whole Dalton family...
Did it mean Cliff?
She clenched her fists—Vanya was born lucky, and even if she didn't know anything, she could still get power because of Cliff and the Dalton family. But what about her?
I studied so hard for so many years, but ended up living like this.
"Miss Coleman, I hope you could understand." Evans had made himself as clear as possible.
Even if Melinda was upset, she could only leave with resentment.