Chapter 197: I found it

Mark scooted closer to Hannah, his expression turning serious.

"I mean, we did eventually find out that Vincent was connected to Thomas. But it was only at the venue that we discovered Julianna was somehow the mastermind behind everything."

Hannah blinked, still trying to make sense of his explanation. But the more she thought about it, the more things began to fall into place.

Even Thomas had looked genuinely shocked when he first saw Julianna.

"Does that mean Thomas didn’t know Julianna was behind everything either?" she asked.

Mark nodded.

"Apparently not. She used a voice modulator to disguise her voice, so Thomas had no idea who he was actually taking orders from."

Hannah was rendered speechless.

She had known Julianna was capable of manipulating people, but she had never imagined the woman would go this far just to ruin Clara’s life.

"But what happens now?" Hannah asked, her brows knitting together. "Vincent has been dragged into this for no reason, while Julianna is still out there without facing any consequences. Wouldn’t it have been better if we’d exposed her right away?"

The thought clearly bothered her.

After everything that had happened, she couldn’t digest the fact that Julianna had managed to walk away untouched while Vincent had been left to deal with the consequences.

Mark thought for a moment before shrugging.

"That’s for Boss to decide."

Hannah looked at him.

"You’re not worried?"

"Why would I be?" Mark asked with a small grin. "Boss already planned on bringing the Hayes family down for everything they’ve done to Madam. I’m sure he’ll find a way to deal with Julianna too."

Hannah stared at him for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief.

"Brother really does have a strange way of dealing with people who target the woman he loves."

She let out a sarcastic laugh.

"And yet, he still refuses to admit he’s completely gone for her."

Mark chuckled.

"He’ll probably deny it until the day someone forces him to say it out loud."

Hannah rolled her eyes.

"That’s exactly what I mean."

She leaned back, still shaking her head.

She had never expected Dominic to be several steps ahead of everyone else.

While Julianna had been busy plotting against Clara, Dominic had already begun exposing the truth about the Hayes family.

And now that he had finally made his move, Hannah couldn’t help but feel sorry for anyone who stood in his way.

"Only heaven can save the Hayes family now," she muttered.

Mark gave her a knowing look.

"Exactly."

***

Meanwhile, after receiving the phone call, Clara and Dominic drove straight to the bakery, only to discover that the puppy had gone missing again.

"I swear, I only went to the restroom," Gen said, her voice trembling as she looked around helplessly. "When I came back, the puppy was gone."

Clara stared at her.

She had entrusted Gen with the puppy until they could find him a suitable family to adopt him.

Ever since they had found the little pup, Penelope had insisted that he was probably looking for his mother. Clara, however, knew the puppy was already lost and had most likely been wandering around on his own.

Even though she had promised Penelope that she would find his mother, Clara had eventually decided that the best thing would be to find him a loving and safe home.

But now, the day wasn’t even over, and the puppy had somehow managed to disappear again.

"Madam, what if something happens to the poor thing?" Gen asked anxiously.

Clara’s eyes widened.

"No. Nothing is going to happen to him." She shook her head firmly. "Penelope trusted me with this baby, and I’m not losing him."

Dominic raised an eyebrow at the seriousness with which she said it.

It was almost as if they were discussing a missing child rather than a puppy who had apparently developed a talent for disappearing.

Clara was convinced the puppy hadn’t actually gone far. He was probably hiding somewhere, and Gen had simply failed to find him.

"Let’s not panic yet," Clara said. "We’ll search the bakery properly one more time."

She turned around, already preparing to give everyone instructions.

"Dom, you check the kitchen. Gen, check your room. I’ll search the backyard."

Gen blinked.

She glanced at Dominic, then at Clara, before cautiously stepping closer to her.

"Madam..."

"Yes?"

Gen lowered her voice.

"How can you ask Mr. Sterling to look for the puppy?"

Clara stared at her blankly.

"Why can’t I?"

Gen looked at Dominic again.

"Because... he’s Mr. Sterling."

Clara frowned.

"And?"

"He’s the CEO of Sterling Group."

"I know."

"He probably has people who do things like this for him."

Clara’s lips twitched.

"Gen, it’s a puppy, not a billion-dollar merger. And don’t forget, he my husband"

Dominic finally sighed.

"I’m standing right here, you know."

Gen immediately straightened.

"Of course, sir."

Clara turned to Dominic with an innocent smile.

"So... how about we start the search?" she suggested awkwardly.

Dominic stared at her for a moment, clearly unconvinced by her sudden sweetness. Without saying another word, he simply turned around and walked toward the kitchen.

Gen, meanwhile, pursed her lips before immediately sprinting upstairs toward her room.

Clara shook her head with a small smile before stepping outside the bakery to search the backyard.

She had barely been looking for a minute when a loud scream suddenly echoed through the bakery.

"I FOUND IT!"

Dominic and Gen both froze.

A second later, they came rushing outside.

"Where?" Gen called out.

Then they stopped.

Clara was crouched near the corner of the backyard, carefully wiping something with a towel.

The puppy.

Or at least, what was supposed to be the puppy.

The poor thing was completely covered in mud from head to paw. His fur was so dirty that his original color was barely visible.

Gen’s jaw dropped.

"Oh my God..."

Dominic stared at the muddy little creature before looking at Clara.

"What happened to him?"

Clara sighed as she continued cleaning the puppy.

"When you went to the restroom, he apparently decided to go on an adventure."

Gen looked horrified.

"I only left for a minute!"

"And apparently, that was enough," Clara replied.

It turned out that the moment Gen had left the room, the puppy had somehow managed to sneak his way toward the backyard.

Unfortunately, his adventure had led him straight into a small pothole filled with muddy water.

Instead of climbing out, the little troublemaker had apparently decided to enjoy himself.

By the time Clara found him, he looked less like a puppy and more like a tiny mud monster.

Or, as Clara privately thought, a very unfortunate piece of black forest cake.

The puppy happily wagged his muddy tail as though he hadn’t caused everyone a heart attack.

Gen stared at him in disbelief. "He doesn’t even look guilty."

Dominic crossed his arms. "Why would he? He’s clearly proud of himself."

Clara couldn’t help but laugh. "You little troublemaker," and the puppy responded with an innocent bark.

***

By the time Clara finished cleaning the puppy, Gen had already made up her mind.

"I clearly can’t look after him," she announced. "What if he runs away again? Am I not even allowed to use the restroom?"

Clara looked at her thoughtfully.

Gen had a point.

Although the puppy looked innocent enough, he was far too mischievous to be left unattended. What if he woke up in the middle of the night and decided to go for another adventure? Clara could already imagine everyone running around the neighborhood looking for him.

"Well, you’re right," Clara finally said. "You’re still too young to look after a child when you can barely take care of yourself."

Gen’s eyes widened.

"Madam..."

"What?" Clara asked innocently. "You’re still nineteen, Gen."

"I know!" Gen whined. "But I can take care of myself."

Clara raised an eyebrow.

"Can you?"

"Yes!"

"Are you sure?"

Gen pursed her lips.

"...Most of the time."

Dominic, who had been quietly watching the exchange, decided it was wiser to stay out of it.

Unfortunately, his decision lasted only a few seconds.

Clara suddenly turned toward him.

"Dom..."

Dominic immediately became suspicious.

She flashed him an innocent smile and walked closer.

"How about we keep the puppy with us until we find him a suitable family?"

Dominic blinked.

There it was.

That smile.

The smile that always meant she had already made a decision and was simply waiting for him to agree.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Dominic glanced down at the puppy, who was now sitting innocently at Clara’s feet.

He didn’t hate animals. In fact, he had no problem with dogs.

But bringing a mischievous puppy into their home was an entirely different matter.

"What if he disturbs our time together?" Dominic finally asked.

"..."

Clara stared at him. Gen stared at him.

Even the puppy seemed to pause.

Dominic suddenly realized that perhaps he should have chosen his words more carefully.

Clara’s cheeks turned slightly pink. "Dom..."

"What?" he asked innocently.

Gen covered her mouth, trying desperately not to laugh.