Third Person's POV
Given the current rumors linking her to Calvert, Vanya was wary of being photographed alone.
As she exited the Todd residence, she noticed several masked women loitering outside.
Something was amiss. Cliff, emerging from the garage, spotted them too and immediately called security.
"Get them off the property," he ordered coldly.
"Yes, sir," the guards responded.
Vanya stood her ground. When security arrived, the women began hurling insults, "Slut! Stay away from Calvert!"
"He'd never look at a married woman like you!"
"Go to hell, Vanya!" ...
Vanya's eyes narrowed.
The Todd address wasn't public knowledge.
If these women had found it through online sleuthing, the Todds would face daily mobs.
Their presence suggested a leak.
Vanya glanced back and saw Genevieve watching from the window.
She knew Genevieve was behind this.
"Look out!"
As Vanya's attention wavered, Cliff lunged forward and shielding her with his entire body. The suddenness of his action left her momentarily stunned.
Then, the unmistakable sound of shattering eggshells pierced the air.
Turning her head, she confirmed her suspicion—someone was hurling rotten eggs in her direction. And there stood Cliff, his back to her, taking the brunt of the assault.
Vanya froze. "You..."
Genevieve, witnessing the scene, rushed out and barked at security, "What are you waiting for? Get them out of here!"
The guards sprang into action, and the women, spotting Genevieve, scattered.
"Cliff……" Genevieve's face was ashen as she hurriedly checked Cliff's body.
Cliff's suit was now stained. "I'll get you a clean one," Genevieve offered.
"No need," Cliff said coldly. "I don't want a repeat of today's incident."
Genevieve, unnerved by his gaze, stammered, "I don't understand why you're saying this."
"Forget it. Let's go back and change," Vanya said, leading Cliff inside.
Veronica, disturbed by the commotion, demanded, "What's going on?"
"Some of Calvert's fans caused a scene outside," Vanya explained, eyeing Genevieve.
"They almost hurt Cliff. I'm curious how they found the Todd residence."
Veronica, with decades of experience in this circle, also turned to Genevieve.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I swear, I have nothing to do with this."
"Enough." Veronica dismissed her with impatience. "Take Cliff to change. Genevieve, come with me."
Genevieve reluctantly followed Veronica into the house.
Back upstairs, Vanya handed Cliff a black suit from the closet.
"Why did you shield me? If they'd thrown stones instead of eggs..."
"Protecting my wife is natural," Cliff said, unbuttoning his suit and tossing it into the trash.
Vanya frowned. "At least wait until I leave to change."
"Your grandmother's downstairs. If I wait, she'll suspect something," Cliff explained.
Before Vanya could reply, Cliff took the new suit from her and said, "I'll be quick."
He turned and entered the bathroom, where the sound of running water soon followed.
Sitting on the bed, Vanya's mind wandered to fragments of the past.
She remembered wearing Melinda's favorite white dress, nervously awaiting Cliff's arrival.
Under Veronica's influence, Cliff had been drugged that night.
He'd torn her clothes in a drunken haze, and their first intimate moment had been filled with tenderness—though he'd mistaken her for Melinda.
The second time that night, after Cliff sobered up, he realized she'd drugged him and became violent.
From that night on, Cliff treated her with utter disdain, plotting against the Dalton family behind her back, leading to their bankruptcy.
Even when she was pregnant, he abandoned her to die on the operating table.
Vanya clenched her fists.
How could she forget Cliff's past actions because of his recent kindness?
Cliff's core was cold—he loved no one but himself.
After a while, Cliff emerged from the bathroom in a white bathrobe, his hair damp and water droplets falling from his ends.
Seeing Vanya sitting silently on the bed, he approached with a smile. "What's wrong?"