Chapter 17 Vanya's POV " I have a clear understanding of who Theodore is , and I don't need you guys to interfere , " I said coldly . " I … " Melinda bit her lip , looking hurt . Cliff , however , spoke sternly . " Melinda is looking out for you . Don't be ungrateful and get involved with people you shouldn't . " Melinda tugged at Cliff's sleeve , seemingly blaming him for being too harsh . Watching this scene , I sneered inwardly . Anyone unaware of the situation might genuinely think Melinda was his wife . " In any case , you should stay away from Theodore . You're a pride of the heavens , and he is a barbarian without manners . How could you possibly have any connection with him ! " " Bang ! " Suddenly , the sound of a cane striking the floor echoed from not far away . Everyone turned to look and saw a white - haired older man standing in the center of the lobby I glanced back and felt a strong sense of familiarity with this old man . It took me a moment to recall , but I recognized him as the old gardener who had been arranging vases in the lobby earlier . Now , he had changed into a sharp suit , accompanied by two stern bodyguards , exuding an extraordinary aura . Especially his eyes , stern and with a hint of chilling fierceness that made one hesitate to approach . " This is Mr. Adrian Winston , " the bodyguard beside the old man announced loudly . The people around raised their glasses respectfully in his direction . At this moment , Melinda was the only one with an extremely embarrassed expression . I understood because she couldn't have imagined that the old man she had just scolded was Mr. Winston himself ! He was the former Lycan King . Soon , Theodore stepped out from behind Mr. Winston and stood beside him , gently supporting his arm . Seeing this , a sense of foreboding suddenly welled up in my heart . Theodore looked at me , his lips curling into a meaningful smile . " Ladies and gentlemen , today I have invited you all to announce that Theodore is my grandson , and the sole heir to the Winston family . " Mr. Winston's gaze swept across the room , finally resting on Melinda . His eyes were as cold as an ice cellar in the dead of winter . That gaze made Melinda shiver involuntarily . Mr. Winston said coldly , " He is not a barbarian without manners . " These words shocked the entire room , with everyone showing disbelief . Only my heart pounded violently in my chest , as if trying to leap out of my throat . This wasn't right ! According to the original timeline , it should have been three years after when Mr. Winston died that Theodore's identity was revealed . 1/3 P P Chapter 17 Had my rebirth inadvertently changed all this ? Q Unlike my shock , Melinda's face turned as pale as a paper at Mr. Winston's words . I glanced at her , her eyes full of confusion . Indeed , the packs in Los Angeles all knew that Theodore was an orphan . No one would have guessed that he was Mr. Winston's grandson , the descendant of the Lycan King . The words she had just spoken must have been heard by Mr. Winston . Melinda would naturally be panicked because offending Mr. Winston would likely mean no future in the financial world . Soon , she looked to Cliff for help like a helpless child . " Mr. Winston , Melinda just spoke out of turn . Considering her young age , please don't take it personally , " Cliff pleaded . Mr. Winston merely snorted , " I heard that there was a genius in Mr. Todd's circle , but it seems it's nothing more than that . " - Hearing this , Melinda's face turned ashen . Clearly , she had completely lost any favor with Mr. Winston . I took in the whole scene , realizing that even Cliff's intercession would be futile at this point . After all , Melinda had spoken so disparagingly about his grandson . The fact that he hadn't thrown her out on the spot was already showing great restraint . Cliff seemed to realize this as well , pressing his lips together and falling silent . When Mr. Winston's gaze shifted to me , it softened a bit , " You must be the one from the Dalton family , right ? " I snapped back to reality , seeing him initiating a conversation with me , and nodded , saying , " I am Vanya Dalton . " " Mr. Dalton wasn't much to look at when he was young , but his granddaughter turned out to be quite a beauty . Over forty years ago , I was a close friend of your grandfather . Time flies , and now you've grown into such a graceful young lady . " Close friends ? In my memory , my grandfather always seemed carefree , never concerned with the affairs of the pack or the family business , and he passed away early . I had never heard of him having such a friendship with Mr. Winston . As I was unsure how to respond , Mr. Winston took a step closer and asked , " Have you found your mate ? " I nodded again , " I am mated . " " Oh ? Who is it? " I instinctively glanced at Cliff , who was beside me . Upon seeing Cliff , Mr. Winston's expression soured immediately . " So it's the grandson of Todd . " Cliff , hearing this , only smiled slightly , " My grandfather often spoke of Mr. Winston when he was alive . It seems you had quite a relationship in the past ." " Who said I had a good relationship with him ! "