In my tenth year working at the Bureau of Paranormal Affairs, my mother arranged a marriage for me because I was unmarried.
The woman came from a prestigious business family. She had a reputation for being well-mannered, emotionally intelligent and clean in her private life. Most importantly, she was the daughter of my father’s close friend.
Looking at my mother’s aging face and hearing her envy of relatives surrounded by grandchildren, I felt a deep sense of guilt. After all, I had not gone home for several years, so I agreed to the marriage.
When my supervisor heard the news, he even custom-ordered a pair of wedding rings as a special gift.
The wedding day arrived. Guests filled the venue. But before the ceremony began, I discovered my wedding ring hanging around the neck of my fiancée’s assistant’s dog.
Suppressing my rage, I questioned him coldly, “This is a wedding ring. Why is it on your dog’s neck? Do you think that’s appropriate?”
Faced with my questioning, the other party was full of disdain. “It's just a ring. Ms. Dawson said I can put it on whatever I want.”
“Don’t worry, your replacement ring is already prepared.”
I glanced at the plain silver band tossed on the table, let out a cold laugh and dialed Kate Dawson’s number.
“Kate, the wedding starts in two hours. If that ring doesn’t come off the dog’s neck by then, don’t bother showing up at all.”
——
A sense of unease grew in my chest. Some of my colleagues were attending as guests. If they saw the Bureau’s specially made ring on a dog, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Her voice came through the phone, cold and irritated, “It’s just a ring. Can you stop being so dramatic?”
Dramatic?
I took a deep breath, trying to keep calm as I explained, “Ms. Dawson, today is our wedding day. Do you think putting the groom’s wedding ring on a dog is appropriate?”
“Think whatever you want. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”
The line went dead.
I stared at the screen in disbelief. So, this was the woman with the ‘grace and high emotional intelligence’ they talked about?
Andre Hampton, who was standing by, saw this and smirked even more. He spoke in a sarcastic tone, “Hah! Thought you were the apple of her eye? Wake up!”
He gave me a once-over, eyes dripping with contempt.
“Look at you. Other than that tux, do you have anything worth showing off?”
“You think gifting a couple of rings makes you worthy of her?”
“I’ve seen plenty of social-climbing nobodies like you. Even if you get married, she’ll never give you a second glance!”
From his tone, it was obvious—he and Kate had a ‘special’ relationship.
I sneered, “Get the ring off the dog, disinfect it and put it back in the box—or I’ll call the police.”
He burst out laughing like I’d just told the funniest joke he’d ever heard.
“Call the cops? You think they’ll care about your precious little ring?”
I was shaking with anger.
I’d worked my way up on the toughest cases, even top-level leaders treated me with respect. And now, I was repeatedly mocked by Kate's assistants?
Without another word, I pulled out my phone to call the police.
Before I could hit the dial, he slapped it out of my hand.
His face twisted with fury, eyes bloodshot as he yelled, “You little bastard! You're turning a deaf ear to what I say, aren't you?”
As he shouted, his massive Rottweiler began barking furiously, then lunged straight at me.
It was huge—easily 180 pounds, heavier and stronger than me.
