Chapter 2

2

She treated that dog like family, but ignored our feelings as her actual family.

Grace Lopez finally calmed the dog down before looking up at me.

Her brows were furrowed, her tone impatient.

"Mom, stop targeting Liam. Dog urine isn't a big deal. We can just clean it up."

Her mention of cleaning made me angrier.

Every sofa, carpet, and piece of clothing soiled by the golden retriever retained a lingering foul odor.

I had to discard everything and buy replacements, resulting in significant recurring expenses.

When I laid out these facts, Grace spoke with a hint of委屈.

"Our family isn't poor. Must you always bring money into this?"

"Mom, I think you look down on me deep down. That's why you constantly use money against me."

She stared directly at me, her eyes reddening.

Remembering Grace's family background, I immediately felt I'd gone too far and softened my tone.

"Grace, don't misunderstand. I don't mean that at all. I've long considered you my own daughter."

I initially disapproved when my son first started dating Grace.

She struck me as somewhat provincial at first glance. But after learning her life story from my son and experiencing her genuine care and consideration, I gradually accepted her.

Grace came from a rural background—a gambling-addicted mother, an alcoholic father—yet worked her way through college.

I admired and sympathized with her. After she married into our family, I indulged her every whim.

Tragically, my son became disabled in a car accident three weeks ago, and Grace seemed to transform into a different person.

Perhaps the stress of caring for my son overwhelmed her. With me busy managing the company, the golden retriever became her only companion at home.

Considering this, I thought perhaps I should be more tolerant of the dog.

So I spoke gently and kindly.

"Grace, I know taking care of Leo has been difficult. I'm not asking much from you."

"Although we're well-off, we still need to live responsibly. You should teach the dog some basic manners."

Grace finally nodded and gave verbal assurances.

Just then, my assistant called. After giving Grace some instructions, I packed and left on a business trip.

Arriving at the company, I opened my handbag to retrieve documents and touched something sticky.

Looking down, I discovered it was the golden retriever's feces.

My recently calmed anger erupted instantly.

I thought the dog only urinated outside my bedroom door. I never imagined it would defecate inside my handbag.

Suddenly I recalled the dog's sinister glare when I left home. Now I was certain it disliked me.

But with urgent company matters at hand, I cleaned up briefly and caught a flight to the neighboring city, deciding to address this properly after my trip.

I never expected the scene awaiting me upon returning home five days later would nearly make me faint.