Third Person's POV
Mirabel said, "If you don't have a head for business, why insist on taking charge? Wouldn't it be better to hand over the power to your brother? Elmer studied finance—he's sure to manage the Dalton family well."
The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, but Vanya coldly interrupted her: "Mirabel, have you forgotten? I'm a graduate student in the Finance Department at Wolf International School of Finance."
"Didn't you just buy your way in? Does that even count? Our Elmer got in on his own!"
Vanya said with feigned regret, "With that second-rate school of his, let's just forget it. Even the interns at Dalton Group have better qualifications than him."
Hearing Elmer being belittled, Mirabel immediately glared: "Vanya! What do you mean by that? You look down on Elmer?"
Vanya replied coolly, "Whether I look down on him or not, the Dalton family has already merged with M Group. At most, we only have shares in M Group now, and not much authority to manage Dalton Group, so I don't even have the right to place people in the company."
Mirabel's tone was full of complaint: "Now you realize? If you hadn't sold the company to M Group for no reason, we wouldn't have to live like this, always at the mercy of others."
Aldrich suppressed his anger: "Have you said enough?"
Chastised, Mirabel dared not speak further.
A maid walked in from outside the door: "There is a guest here."
"A guest? What guest?" Aldrich looked up, just in time to see Cliff entering with Beta Elliot.
He immediately stood up, "Who let him in? Get him out!"
Seeing Cliff arrive, Mirabel quickly said, "Honey! Don't be angry, maybe he's not even here for you?"
Cliff's gaze fell on Vanya, but she didn't even look up at him.
"I'm here to take Vanya home." His voice was a little hoarse.
Vanya put down her coffee cup and said coolly, "Alpha Cliff, have you signed the divorce agreement? If you have, just give it to me, and I won't need to go back."
Aldrich said, "Vanya is right. I don't think Alpha Cliff needs to make a special trip. Vanya will not go back with you!"
"Honey!"
Mirabel tugged on Aldrich's sleeve and said, "Let the couple handle their own affairs. Why are you interfering?"
Mirabel smiled at Cliff and said, "Oh, it seems Alpha Cliff really cares about Vanya. Vanya, don't be angry anymore, just go back with Alpha Cliff."
Mirabel kept winking at Vanya, but Vanya acted as if she hadn't noticed.
Cliff walked over to Vanya, half-knelt beside her, and looked at her sitting on the sofa, his eyes full of deep emotion: "I sent her to prison."
Vanya said coolly, "Alpha Cliff, what are you trying to prove by telling me this?"
"I know everything she did—she killed her friend, stole someone's identity. She and I were a mistake from the very beginning. Vanya, I will never let you down again. That night, it was Melinda who drugged me. I thought she was you, so..."
"That's enough."
Vanya coldly interrupted him: "I'm not the least bit interested in what happened between you two. There's no need for you to confess everything you've done in front of me. We made it clear long ago—ours was just a business marriage. I don't care how many women you have outside."
Hearing this, everything Cliff wanted to say was stuck in his throat.
She had never cared about him from the very beginning.
Seeing the atmosphere between Cliff and Vanya turn cold, Mirabel grew anxious.
She hurried forward and pushed Vanya, saying, "Vanya! Are you stupid? Alpha Cliff has already cut ties with that woman, and you're still sulking? Listen to me, go back with Alpha Cliff right now, don't make him angry."
Vanya didn't react, and Mirabel was so anxious she was pacing in circles.
She immediately turned to Cliff and said, "Alpha Cliff, Vanya is just a little stubborn, don't worry. I'll take care of this—Vanya will go back with you tonight!"
"Bang—!"
Suddenly, Vanya raised her hand and slapped the back of the chair. Her sharp gaze swept over Mirabel, scaring Mirabel into instant silence.
"You decide? Since when do you get to call the shots in this house?"
Mirabel pressed her lips together and quietly took a step back.
She said weakly, "I... I'm still your elder, after all. I'm only thinking of your happiness. Offending Alpha Cliff won't do you any good..."
"I'm only calling you Aunt out of respect for your age, but that doesn't mean you get to make decisions for me. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, I understand."
Although Mirabel was still unconvinced, Vanya was now the one in charge of the Dalton family.
There were many rules in the Dalton family, and Mirabel, as a twice-married woman of less than respectable status, could only stand beside Vanya at this moment, unable to get a word in.
"That's how it is, Alpha Cliff, as you can see. This place is no worse than your Todd family. I'm living very well here. When you've signed that rejection agreement, then you can come find me again."
Vanya stood up, ready to go upstairs, not wanting to get entangled with Cliff any longer.
But Cliff reached out and grabbed her arm, his eyes showing a rare hint of pleading: "Vanya, don't go."