Chapter 28 You Don't Smell Like a Dog
As Daniel expected, after buying the medicine, Emily returned to Serenity Grove.
She didn’t know much about raising a dog, so she looked it up online.
Dogs need to be walked.
After finishing some materials for her major switch and some published papers, she took the dog out for a walk.
Then.
“Well, fancy seeing you here!”
It was Daniel speaking.
He seemed to be in better spirits, less cold and more lively.
Emily’s gaze fell on the dog he was holding, which seemed to be trembling.
“Yeah, what a coincidence. Walking your dog too? Did you just get it?” Emily nodded, catching him off guard with her question.
Daniel looked a bit flustered under her gaze.
He tightened his grip on the leash and asked, “How’d you figure that out?”
He didn’t deny it.
But he didn’t confirm it either.
“I’ve got a pretty good sense of smell, and I didn’t catch any dog scent on you before.”
“Ahem!”
Daniel coughed lightly.
He almost choked.
Emily realized her words sounded like an insult.
“Sorry, I meant…”
“No need to explain, Ms. Johnson, I get it!” Daniel’s expression was calm, but there seemed to be a hint of amusement in his deep eyes.
He didn’t seem angry.
Emily nodded, “As long as you understand. But you should return the dog or find someone else to take care of it. Your health isn’t suitable for raising a dog.”
Daniel was speechless.
For the first time, he almost couldn’t control his expression.
He lowered his eyes, suppressing his emotions.
The atmosphere seemed to become awkward.
Emily thought he was sad.
It seemed he really liked dogs, no wonder he greeted her the first time he saw her walking her dog.
After all, this was the mysterious and enigmatic Daniel.
As Emily was thinking about how to comfort him, Daniel suddenly looked at her, “This dog is very important to me. I want to see it often. Could you help me take care of it?”
What?
Good thing the butler didn’t hear Daniel’s words.
Otherwise, he would have been very confused.
It was just a dog bought from the market, how did it suddenly become so important?
He had taken care of Daniel for so many years and never knew he was a dog lover!
Emily was a bit conflicted, “Mr. Smith, I just adopted a dog myself and I’m not very experienced. If I don’t take good care of it, it might not be appropriate. Besides, I’m quite busy.”
Her dog was meant to be taken care of by Liam after he adopted it.
Daniel's deep eyes seemed to darken.
It made Emily feel guilty for refusing.
What a joke!
This was Daniel, how could he have such an expression?
It must be her imagination.
But Daniel said in a deep voice, “Don’t worry about that. I’ll arrange for a professional dog caretaker who can also take care of your dog. I just want to see Cloudy often.” Cloudy was the name of Daniel’s dog.
“Besides, if you’re busy, the person I arrange can make up for that!” Daniel added.
Emily thought about it.
It didn’t seem too bad.
At least it was responsible for the dog she adopted, Biscuit.
No wonder Daniel’s dog had such a good name, unlike her, who named her dog so casually.
Maybe it was just like her, growing up in a carefree way, yet still growing up.
After reaching an agreement, Emily took Biscuit back.
Daniel watched her and Biscuit leave, his eyes dark and unreadable.
The veins on the back of his hand stood out prominently.
After she got back, she received a call from Violette.
She had blocked Eli’s number.
So only Violette’s calls could reach her.
As soon as she picked up, Eli's voice came through, "Why haven't you come back yet? Did you mess with Bianca today? You're so thoughtless. Get back here and apologize to Bianca. If she gets sick, I won't forgive you."
Emily frowned, ready to snap back.
But she heard Violette's voice, "Eli, Emily is your daughter too. How can you talk to her like that? I was there, and Emily didn't mess with Bianca. Even if you care about Bianca, you shouldn't be so biased."
Violette then quickly spoke to Emily, "Emily, don't listen to your dad's ranting. He's just being unreasonable. You don't need to come back. I'll leave the Johnson Villa after talking to him and contact you then."
She had initially hoped to persuade Eli to treat Emily better and have her come back to get along with the family.
After all, family feuds shouldn't last forever.
But seeing Eli's attitude now, she understood why Emily preferred to stay away, and it broke her heart.
She even thought of arranging for Emily to live with her daughter, Sofia Moore, once her own matters were settled.
"Dad, it's my fault, it has nothing to do with Emily. I was just anxious and said something inappropriate, which upset Floyd. Emily didn't mess with me or say anything to Floyd."
Bianca's voice was hoarse from crying as she hurriedly explained.
But the more she did, the more it elicited sympathy from the family.
Eli spoke to Violette in a cold and domineering tone, "Violette, you're here to ask for my help, right? I thought you came to lecture me. If you really want our help, you should be nice to Bianca, not support that ungrateful Emily."
"Eli!" Violette's face turned pale.
She was already in poor health, and Eli's words made her feel even weaker.
Emily had been missing for so many years, surviving by scavenging and begging. It was hard enough to find her, but to have her family be so biased against her was heartbreaking. If Violette didn't care for Emily, she would be utterly helpless.
Violette clenched her fists but remained resolute, "Eli, I'm asking for your help. If you value our sibling bond and are willing to help, I'll be grateful for life. But this has nothing to do with Emily. If you're going to be so biased, you might as well let me take care of her!"
"Violette, you've misunderstood. Dad cares about Emily too. You're making it sound like we can't accommodate her. It's all because of me. My poor health makes everyone overly protective. I'll apologize to Emily and bring her back. It's better than you taking her away and tarnishing our family's reputation!"
Bianca cried, looking fragile and pitiful, yet still trying to protect the family's image.
Eli felt even more satisfied and sympathetic towards Bianca, and increasingly resentful towards Emily.
He snorted coldly, "If you keep defending Emily, don't expect any help from me!"
Violette's face turned ashen, her eyes red, but she stood firm.
"Violette, if they won't help you, I will!"
Emily hadn't hung up the phone and heard the entire conversation while driving to the Johnson Villa.
Her heart was full.
Entering the house, she heard Eli's threats.
He was Violette's brother, fully aware of how important this was to her, yet still forcing her to comply with his demands.
Dominant, chauvinistic!
Emily responded assertively.
Violette quickly approached, trying to push Emily out, "I told you not to come, are you stupid? Leave, I'll handle this."
"Since you're here, apologize and be done with it!"
Hayden immediately blocked Emily's path, speaking harshly.
Eli also agreed with Hayden, staring coldly at Emily, "Come here, kneel and apologize to Bianca properly, or I'll break your legs!"