Vanya's POV
"Well..." I deliberately kept them in suspense, "It's a secret."
Derrick's expectant expression instantly fell, grumbling discontentedly, "Boring!"
Theodore's gaze had been lingering on me. I inadvertently turned my head and met his gaze directly.
I saw a hint of a smile hidden in his deep eyes.
My heart suddenly panicked, and I quickly averted my own gaze. I could feel my heartbeat quicken, as if I had missed a beat.
I told myself internally that I must be overthinking it. Someone like Theodore, how could he possibly like a married woman like me?
At that moment, Theodore spoke up, "There's still plenty of time. I'll drive you back."
I glanced at the time and didn't answer right away. Instead, I asked, "When did you see this approval?"
"Early this morning," Derrick replied with a puzzled look, "Why?"
"You've seen it, and so has everyone else," I said as I took out my phone.
I had kept my phone on silent the whole way, and now that I turned it on, I found two missed calls from Aldridge.
I raised my eyebrows slightly and teased, "The news travels fast."
Derrick curiously leaned over and asked, "Who is it?"
"Aldridge," I replied, "It seems I won't be able to go back to school today. I might need both of you to take me back to the Thunder Pack."
My words made them understand, as they knew that when good things appear, those around would always want a share.
Theodore said, "I'll drive you myself."
I was slightly taken aback, surprised that he didn't need to go to such lengths.
"Why? Don't trust my driving skills?" Theodore seemed to sense my hesitation.
"Of course not. I just feel a bit embarrassed for troubling you so many times," I quickly explained.
Hearing this, Derrick couldn't help but laugh, "You feel embarrassed?"
"I do have some shame," I said, though I actually hoped it would be Theodore who would drive me. It would make me feel more at ease.
Theodore drove me to the outskirts of the Thunder Pack and even got out of the car to open the door for me.
This news would soon be conveyed to Aldridge and Mirabel by the pack guards.
Theodore's notorious reputation had already spread from abroad to the country, and with the recent revelation that he was Mr. Winston's grandson, Theodore instantly gained prestige and status in Los Angeles.
Aldridge and Mirabel naturally wouldn't dare to provoke such a person.
That was also the purpose of Theodore driving me back.
I stepped into the house. As soon as Mirabel saw me, her face was filled with smiles, treating me as if I were her most distinguished guest.
She eagerly welcomed me, "You're back. Hurry, sit here."
"Mirabel, such politeness today makes me a bit uncomfortable," I said indifferently, casually sitting down on the sofa.
Aldridge, however, had no interest in our pleasantries. His eyes kept looking outside the door, asking eagerly, "Vanya, didn't Theodore come in with you?"
"He just gave me a ride. There's no need to invite him for a meal," I said, then looked at Aldridge and asked, "Aldridge, why did you call me today? Is there something?"
Aldridge hesitated, stammering for a while without being able to say anything concrete.
Finally, he turned to Mirabel, seemingly asking for help.
Mirabel immediately understood, still wearing a smiling expression, and said, "Didn't you buy a piece of land before?"
I nodded, calmly replying, "That's true."
"Could that land be transferred to Aldridge?" Mirabel cautiously probed.
"What would Aldridge want with a sewage area?" I asked with some confusion.
Aldridge was about to explain, but Mirabel quickly interrupted him, saying, "He wants to give your younger brother a chance to practice..."
"We have many enterprises in the Dalton family. Aldridge can easily give a small business to him. With our cousin's temperament, I'm afraid he won't be able to manage such a large piece of land well."
I directly stated my position. I was clear about what they were trying to do, and I wouldn't be easily fooled.
Seeing my reluctance, Mirabel wanted to persuade me further. Aldridge stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "I just received the news this morning that the land you bought has been designated as an urban green zone, so it's better for the land to be developed under the Dalton family. Vanya, this is a big deal. You can't handle it yourself, so give it to me."
Mirabel's face turned gloomy when Aldridge so bluntly exposed her.
This was a 15-acre piece of land.
How could she just watch this piece of fat fall into my hands?
I feigned surprise and widened my eyes, saying, "What greening? How could I not know?"