Third Person's POV
Brenda's face twisted with malice. "If you don't help me, I'll expose how you killed your best friend back then! Let everyone know the Todd family wasn't helping you—they were aiding an imposter!"
"You!" Melinda's face darkened.
She knew all too well what her mother was capable of. If she refused to cover this debt, Brenda would surely make good on her threat.
They'd both go down in flames. Brenda dead, and her life in ruins.
Thinking this, Melinda forced herself to calm down and put on a filial expression. "Mom, how could I not help you? But if you reveal my secret, I'll never become the Silver Moon Pack's Luna."
Brenda smirked triumphantly. "I knew you'd find a way! Once you're the Silver Moon Pack's Luna and pay off my debts, I'll disappear from your and Cliff's lives for good."
Melinda looked at her, feigning reluctance. "I want to be with Cliff too, but there's an obstacle..."
"What obstacle?"
Melinda put on a wronged expression. "Cliff's mate, Vanya. Lately, he's been paying her more attention and trying to cut ties with me. If only Vanya were out of the picture... I'd definitely win Cliff back."
Brenda frowned, mulling over Melinda's words.
Melinda grasped Brenda's hand earnestly. "Mom, I've been stressing over your money issues. With Vanya around, I can never be the Silver Moon Pack's Luna. Can't you help me?"
Brenda eyed her warily. "How?"
"I know you've met plenty of thugs at the casino over the years. Do this for me," Melinda whispered her plan into Brenda's ear.
Brenda's face drained of color. "No way! I won't do it!"
"What's the problem?" Melinda snapped. "You weren't afraid to dispose of a body back then. Why fear this?"
"That girl was an orphan! No one would investigate her disappearance! With you as her double, it was foolproof! Of course I wasn't scared! But Vanya's the Dalton family's heiress and Cliff's mate! How dare I touch her?"
Brenda wasn't foolish. If she followed Melinda's scheme, she'd likely end up dead in days.
Melinda tightened her grip on Brenda's hand. "I'm not asking you to kill her. You need money, right? Just kidnap her and use her to ransom Cliff. I'll handle the rest—it's got nothing to do with you."
"But..."
"Would you rather the debt collectors chop off your hands and feet? I'm doing this to help you. If you won't accept, there's nothing I can do," Melinda said, turning to leave.
Seeing her about to go, Brenda quickly stopped her. "Wait!"
Melinda glanced at her coldly. Brenda seemed to make up her mind. "Alright! I'll find some thugs I know to do it. But eight million isn't a small sum. Will Cliff really pay that much for Vanya?"
"You yourself said eight million is nothing to the Todd family! And Vanya's still the Silver Moon Pack's Luna—they'll pay to get her back. Mom, trust me, this will work."
Seeing Melinda's confident gaze, Brenda finally agreed.
Meanwhile, when Vanya was dropped off at the Todd Group by Elliot, Cliff was reviewing the company's development plans in his office.
Vanya knocked on the office door. Cliff, without looking up, said, "Come in."
She entered. Hearing the click of Vanya's heels, Cliff paused his actions.
"Sent Elliot to pick me up but won't speak yourself?" Vanya sat across from Cliff.
"I was reviewing the planning department's proposals and lost track of time," he said, standing and putting on his suit jacket.
Vanya glanced at the open planning document on the desk and asked, "Is this the Todd Group's recent development plan?"
"Mm-hmm," Cliff replied.
"Using it against the M Group?"
"Something like that," he said, adjusting his clothes. "I've booked a table. Hope it's not too late."
"What table?" Vanya asked, puzzled.
"I made a reservation at your favorite restaurant," Cliff explained.
Cliff explained, "You've just taken over the Dalton Group. I thought introducing you to some key people could save you some trouble."
Vanya suddenly laughed. "Cliff, are you planning to use the same tactics on me that you used on Melinda?"
Cliff froze. "That's not what I meant."
Worried Vanya had misunderstood, he frowned and explained, "Taking over the Dalton family isn't easy. I just thought..."
"I know what you mean. Just joking," Vanya said with a smile, though her eyes held no warmth.
Cliff was willing to introduce her to people in the business world, and she was all for it. She wasn't sure if it would reduce the detours she had to take, but at least she'd get familiar faces out of it.
Cliff was relieved she wasn't angry. "Elliot's waiting downstairs," he said, offering his hand.
Vanya understood but didn't take it, saying, "You go ahead. Send me the reservation details."
"Not going there with me?" Cliff asked.