Third Person's POV
Vanya gave a faint smile and said, "Alpha Cliff, business is all about harmony and making money. You should also know how to assess the situation. Right now, it's pretty obvious who has the upper hand, isn't it?"
Cliff replied, "What if I insist on taking you away today, no matter what?"
"Then you'll have to step over my dead body!"
Suddenly, Veronica's voice came from outside the Dalton house.
Veronica entered with an imposing presence, her face looking grim. It was clear she had rushed over from the hospital on purpose.
Cliff was stunned. "Grandma?"
Veronica walked in, her eyes full of sternness and disappointment.
She raised her hand and slapped Cliff across the face. "You drag the Todd family into danger for a woman—do you even deserve to be the head of the Todd family? Is this what your grandfather taught you when he was alive? Useless!"
Cliff clenched his fists but didn't dare say a word.
Veronica turned to look at Vanya, her eyes full of disdain. "This time, we admit we've caused you trouble. Cliff will never lose control like this again. As compensation, we'll pay the Dalton family accordingly. But since you were the ones who proposed the divorce agreement, not a single cent of the Todd Group's assets will be given to you."
Cliff cried out, "Grandma!"
Vanya had long expected Veronica to say this. She just smiled and said, "I'm afraid you've misunderstood, Veronica. In the divorce agreement I gave Cliff, I never mentioned wanting a single cent from the Todd Group. So rest assured, I have no intention of taking any of your assets."
"That's for the best!"
"However, you did disturb my family, and that debt does need to be settled."
After speaking, Vanya turned to Aldrich and said, "Aldrich, have someone go to the Todd Group tomorrow to collect the compensation. Not a single cent less than what is owed."
Aldrich was momentarily taken aback.
That compensation money meant nothing to him.
But after receiving a signal from Vanya's eyes, Aldrich immediately straightened his back and said, "That's right, not a single cent less!"
"What a troublesome bunch."
Veronica couldn't stand this kind of petty attitude the most. She let out a cold laugh and said, "Cliff, look—this is the woman you like."
Cliff looked at Vanya, his eyes full of forbearance.
He knew Vanya was doing this on purpose.
With this, the Todd family and the Dalton family were completely severed.
Veronica said, "I'll give you ten million. You don't need to come to us for it; the Todd Group will deliver the compensation. Let's go!"
With a wave of her hand, Veronica led away everyone who had come with Cliff.
Beta Elliot couldn't help but say, "Alpha Cliff, let's go..."
With Veronica's order given, there was no point in them staying any longer.
Cliff watched as Vanya and Theodore stood together, his chest aching as if it were being torn apart.
In the past, he had given up countless things for the Todd family, but Vanya was the one thing he couldn't let go of.
She was supposed to be his wife.
With a hint of provocation in his eyes, Theodore took Vanya's hand and smiled. "What is it, Alpha Cliff? Still can't bear to leave?"
Vanya glanced down at Theodore holding her hand, but didn't pull away immediately.
Cliff's gaze fell on their joined hands, and the pain in his chest intensified.
Forcing himself to endure the pain, Cliff regained his cold demeanor. "I'll remember what happened today. But Vanya will only ever be mine."
Theodore said calmly, "Who she belongs to has never been up to you or me. The choice is hers alone."
Theodore looked at Vanya with deep affection in his eyes.
Vanya looked at Cliff and said each word clearly, "No matter who stands by my side in the future, it will never be you."
Vanya's words were utterly heartless, and there was not a trace of longing in her eyes.
Cliff stood where he was, clenching his fists, unable to bring himself to leave.
Vanya let out a cold laugh and said, "What? Alpha Cliff, are you still not leaving? Are you waiting here for me to humiliate you?"
Beta Elliot, unable to watch any longer, quietly urged, "Alpha Cliff... let's go."
Vanya looked away, not giving Cliff another glance.
Cliff slowly stepped back, but his gaze never left Vanya.
At last, he forced himself to turn away, swallowing his unwillingness.
In the car, Beta Elliot saw through the rearview mirror that Cliff sat in the back seat, silent and grim-faced.
He couldn't help but say, "Alpha Cliff, Luna is just angry with you for the moment. Maybe she'll come around in a few days."
"I don't understand why she won't accept me."
Cliff's voice was low and hoarse.
Beta Elliot said, "Maybe it's because of Miss Coleman's matter. It's always been a knot in her heart. After all... what woman would want her husband to have a child with another woman?"
"No, that's not what I mean. I'm talking about something from even earlier."
"What?"
Cliff looked up, frowning, and said, "I'm talking about something from much earlier."
Beta Elliot looked completely confused, not understanding what Cliff meant.
But Cliff knew that Vanya had started rejecting him a long time ago, and there had never been any love in her eyes.