Third Person's POV
"Alpha Cliff, you have always been very good to Ms. Coleman."
"And what about Vanya?"
Elliot struggled to say, "...Not bad."
Cliff pursed his lips, suddenly recalling the words Mirabel had spoken at the Dalton's dinner.
It seemed everyone in Los Angeles knew he didn't like Vanya, except for himself, who was unaware of the ugly rumors spreading outside.
"Starting tomorrow, you no longer need to drive Melinda around."
Vanya's POV
A few days after Dalton's dinner, I was delighted to receive the admission letter from Wolfe.
As a socialite who had never been involved in finance before, being able to enter this top-tier institution in the financial world as a graduate student was undoubtedly a bombshell in our social circle, causing quite a stir.
"Ding ding -" In the afternoon, my phone suddenly rang.
I picked it up and saw it was a call from Aldridge.
"Vanya, is it true that you got into Wolfe International Finance School?" Aldridge's tone was serious and stern, devoid of his usual warmth.
"Of course, it's true," I responded calmly.
After all, I had no intention of hiding it. In this fast-paced circle, it was impossible to keep such news a secret.
Aldridge sighed heavily on the other end of the line.
He then questioned, "How much did you spend to get into Wolfe? Or did Alpha Cliff help you?"
"I was just a bit lucky to get in. Cliff didn't help me," I explained patiently, feeling a bit displeased in my heart.
How could he doubt me so easily?
"Then you did spend money?" Aldridge's voice rose, full of disappointment, "How could you use Harold's legacy to buy your way in?! That money was meant to be an emergency fund for your future. Are you an idiot?"
Hearing his baseless accusations, I couldn't help but frown.
I felt a surge of anger and asked, "Aldridge, did you check my bank records?"
"I did it for your own good! You used so much money to buy your way into Wolfe! If this gets out, how can our Dalton family live with dignity? Do you still care about your reputation?"
Aldridge ranted on, finally issuing a command, "You go to Wolfe right now. Get the money back, and we won't attend this school."
His attitude was exceptionally firm, clearly convinced that I had used the money to buy my way in.
I was well aware that this was definitely Mirabel coaching Aldridge to make this call to me.
No one could know the matter of the obsidian rough, and I could not allow Mirabel to take advantage and have ideas about that legacy.
"Aldridge, that money can't be retrieved," I said calmly, contemplating how to handle the situation.
Aldridge's voice trembled, "Then, what should we do?"
"Aldridge, I want to study there. After all, I am also a member of the Dalton family. The Dalton's business is not doing well, and I want to help more. Trust me. I can do well and won't let that money go to waste."
I slowed my speech, trying to persuade him with a gentle tone.
I knew that although Mirabel could influence Aldridge, he was not unreasonable, and the Dalton family's current situation was indeed poor.
That money was indeed my legacy. Legally, no one had the right to interfere with my decisions.
"Aldridge, Alpha Cliff also advised me to go to school and learn more about finance. Wolfe is a top institution in the financial world, with excellent education and practice, and many industry notables. Even if you don't trust my decision, you should trust Alpha Cliff's?"
I played my final card, invoking Cliff's name.
As expected, Aldridge hesitated when he heard it was Cliff's decision.
I struck while the iron was hot and continued, "Aldridge, you don't need to worry about this matter. What those people are willing to think is their business. The teachers at Wolfe said I have a good aptitude and am a good prospect."
"Really?" Aldridge's tone still held a hint of doubt.
"Of course," I said with a smile, trying to ease the tension over the phone. "You know my grades since I was young, and being admitted to the graduate program at Wolfe is a matter of pride for the family."
Hearing this, Aldridge fell into contemplation and ultimately chose silence.
I knew he understood that being able to pursue a graduate degree at Wolfe at the age of twenty-one was indeed a matter of pride for the Dalton family.
If it weren't for Mirabel's suspicion of me taking the back door and the unclear whereabouts of that fund, he wouldn't have made this call to confront me.