“Could it be that Steven didn’t abuse the puppy at all, and Cooper framed him out of jealousy? That’s disgusting.”
“I can vouch for Steven; he was my classmate. He’s always been gentle and loved animals. That video must’ve been edited to smear him.”
“I work with Steven, too. He’s warm to everyone. Cooper’s the one who kept using his status as Tessa’s husband to oppress Steven, even stealing his projects.”
I didn’t even need to guess; those comments were obviously from trolls Steven had paid for.
Sure enough, with his orchestrating, the tide quickly turned. The crowd in the livestream began siding with him, tearing into me like wolves.
“People like him deserve to be punished.”
“What’s the delay? Release the dogs! Let them rip this manipulator apart; he’s an embarrassment to men.”
I had already made up my mind. My gaze turned cold as I looked at Tessa.
“I will never apologize.”
Steven, as if he’d been waiting for this moment, let out a smug, satisfied chuckle.
Tessa clearly hadn’t expected me to reject her so bluntly. Her hand lifted slightly, ready to give the order.
“Then let these Shiba Inus enjoy themselves.”
The second the words left her lips, the cages swung open.
The pack of ravenous Shiba Inus lunged out, eyes glowing a sickly green, tongues hanging, mouths open, locked onto me with a deadly hunger.
I stumbled back in fear as they closed in.
Above, Steven was already doubled over with laughter, practically giddy with amusement. Tessa, meanwhile, remained still and composed, entirely unfazed by whether I lived or died.
In a split second of distraction, one of the Shiba Inus lunged at me. I raised my arm instinctively to block, but its jaws clamped down, teeth sinking deep into my flesh. I shoved it off with all my strength, and a chunk of skin tore away.
“Ah!” Blood gushed down my arm as searing pain shot through me.
My scream echoed through the space, cold sweat pouring down my face.
Terror surged through me. I knew, if I didn’t fight back now, I’d be torn apart.
Spotting an opening, I bolted to the side, snatched up a metal rod from the ground, and swung it with all my might at the nearest Shiba Inu.
The rod struck its skull with a sickening crack.
It dropped instantly, twitching, whimpering, then went still, blood pooling around its muzzle.
The others howled in rage.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
I could see the hatred burning in their eyes, yet none dared to charge recklessly.
They began circling me, pacing low and slow, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
My hands were slick with sweat, the iron rod nearly slipping from my grip, but I couldn’t let down my guard.
I forced myself to stay calm. I had to hold out. I needed time.
Then, the big screen started up again, fueling the fire.
“Now we see Cooper’s true face, such a fraud. If he really cared about animals, he’d be like that monk who offered himself to an eagle. But what did he do? One bite and he killed a dog.”
“A dog’s life is still a life. That one was starving. Why did Cooper kill it just to survive?”
“He looked so kind in that old video. Now he’s exposed, ruthless when things turn real. So much for being an animal lover.”
How laughable.
Was I supposed to just stand there and be torn apart alive?
I admit that I wasn’t some enlightened monk.
I never claimed to be a saint.
I only wanted one thing: to live.
Was that such a sin?
From above, Tessa’s voice rang out again, sharp and smug. “Cooper, if you kneel now and admit your fault, I’ll let you go.”
I looked up at her, my eyes bloodshot, my voice flat and cold.
“Keep dreaming.”
“You—!”
Tessa’s chest rose and fell with fury, her words filled with venom.
“Didn’t you say you loved dogs? Now you’re fighting a pack of Shiba Inus just to survive? You already killed one. What now? Ready to kill another? A third?”
