Her voice then turned sharper. “It’s all because of that wretched woman! I don’t even know where she got that dog from. It came out of nowhere and bit me—hurt me so badly!” She turned to Walton with a pitiful expression. “Mr. Gries, you have to stand up for me!”
Seeing Margot’s dramatic display, I nearly threw up. I was so nauseating to see that.
The Pekingese I’ve had for over a decade is an old dog, nearly toothless at this point. While it might have looked like it bit Margot hard just now, the truth is, it didn’t even break the skin on her ankle.
Walton glanced at Margot’s foot, noticing the faint redness. His expression soured and he rolled his eyes at her theatrics.
Then Walton’s gaze fell on the small dog I was holding protectively. His expression froze for a moment, recognition flashing across his face.
“This dog... looks familiar!” Walton muttered. “This afternoon, I visited Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald here at the estate. Mrs. Fitzgerald was holding a dog look just like this in her arms.”
His words sent shockwaves through everyone present.
“That’s impossible!” Margot exclaimed. Her face twisted in disbelief.
“Mr. Gries, you must be mistaken,” she said, a nervous laugh escaping her. “The Fitzgeralds—those illustrious figures—would never own a mutt like that. If they ever kept a dog, it’d definitely be some rare, pedigreed breed!”
Walton shook his head firmly. “The Fitzgeralds aren’t the kind of family to care about such vanities. I know this is the same dog I saw in Mrs. Fitzgerald’s arms earlier.”
I liked this man—he had a sense of discernment. We’re not like others. Most affluent families with noble roots tend to keep purebred dogs, complete with pedigree certificates, believing it’s a way to flaunt their wealth and status. But not us. Such things are nothing but a joke to our family.
This Poodle? I picked it up from the side of the road when I was just a kid. It must’ve been abandoned shortly after it was born. I remember it was raining that day. The poor thing was trembling from the cold, staring at me with wide, frightened eyes.
When our eyes met, I felt an inexplicable connection. Without a second thought, I scooped it up and brought it home. It’s been part of our family ever since.