I've never been short on money. Most of the time I just follow my gut.
Sidney suited my taste, and I was happy to spend on him. Our own version of meeting each other halfway, I guess.
But I wasn't willing anymore.
I slipped the card away and smiled at him：
“Sure. Don't worry, I'll make sure she feels right at home.”
Sidney looked genuinely moved：
“I knew it. Maddie, you're the kindest person I know. I've got to head back for an extra shift tonight, so I'll get going.”
His eyes lingered on the debit card I'd pocketed, then he turned and left.
The second the door clicked shut, the Beagle darted to my feet, hiked one leg, and got into position, ready to fire.
I grabbed the umbrella off the shoe rack and swung it right at her.
The shriek she let out was so piercing it brought Sidney back from halfway down the hall.
“What did you do?”
Sidney didn't even stop to change his shoes. He shoved past me and rushed to the Beagle, checking her over.
But he couldn't actually find anything wrong, so he turned to me.
I spread my hands. The umbrella was already back on the rack.
“She was probably too excited, ran too fast and crashed into the cabinet. Look at her, poor thing.”
The little Beagle whimpered and yowled, desperate to argue back, but she couldn't speak.
Sidney looked unconvinced.
“That's really what happened?”
“What else? There's not a mark on her. She's carrying on like that because she bumped something and it hurt.”
“I should probably pad the corners around the house so she doesn't hurt herself again.”
Played right into his hands—or rather, mine.
Sidney's irritation vanished：“That's great, that you're thinking like that.”
“From now on this dog is part of our family. You've seen all those videos online, dogs protecting their owners, helping take care of kids.”
“Treat her well, and someday she'll give our children the same love back.”
I lowered my eyes, hiding the contempt in them.
I played along：“Right, cats and dogs looking out for their owners, that kind of thing happens all the time.”
“I really should take good care of her.”
Sidney left, reassured.
This time the Beagle didn't dare come near me. Instead she bolted toward my study.
I strapped a harness on her and tied her to a chair.
Unable to charge around freely, she started yowling in fury. It wasn't the sound a normal puppy makes. There was a raw, snarling edge to it, shrill and grating.
The on-screen comments appeared again.
【You can tell from the way she's acting that the illegitimate daughter has possessed her. She's trying to use this kind of extreme noise to break you down so you have no choice but to give in and treat her well.】
【You'll end up buying her toys, buying her food, using all of that to bribe her into shutting up. But honestly? She just needs a good beating.】
【Beagles are famously tough. Unless she's genuinely scared, she won't stop.】
I thought of that undefeated terror of a dog near the villa.
When the Beagle realized I was ignoring her, the howling escalated to full-blown hysterics.
The sound bounced through the living room on a loop, enough to fray anyone's nerves.
I picked up my phone, opened a shopping app, and right in front of her started browsing pet supplies.
I softened my expression and coaxed her.
“Stop barking, and I'll buy you a dog bed. Treats, too.”
The Beagle's ears twitched. She seemed to actually understand, and the barking dropped a few notches.
Then she watched me actually complete the purchase.
The barking stopped.
Just like those last few on-screen comments had predicted.
What she didn't know was that while I'd picked out every item myself, the account that paid for it all wasn't mine.
I got a text from Sidney.
