Chapter 204: As long as he remembers who came first

Alex stared at her, momentarily speechless.

"I was just asking you a question!"

"Then stop asking stupid questions!" Julianna snapped.

Alex clenched his jaw, swallowing the retort on the tip of his tongue.

Julianna was already furious over her failed attempt to ruin Clara’s reputation in the eyes of the Sterling family.

She had been certain that poisoning Adrian and the child would land Clara in prison for the rest of her life. With Clara out of the picture, she could finally get closer to the Sterlings and eventually marry Dominic.

But who would have thought her carefully laid plan would backfire so spectacularly?

Not only had Clara escaped unscathed, but Vincent had ended up taking the blame for everything.

Julianna had deliberately used a company-registered phone number to communicate with Thomas. She had even used a voice modulator to disguise her identity, ensuring he would never suspect that the person giving him instructions was actually a woman.

After their final conversation at the venue, she had terminated the number, believing she had successfully covered her tracks.

Unfortunately, she had overlooked one crucial detail. The number was registered under Vincent’s name as per the company’s policies. And now her father was paying the price for her carelessness.

To make matters worse, she couldn’t bring herself to face Dorothy, especially with two influential figures involved in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Alex watched her with growing irritation.

He had initially believed that keeping Julianna close would guarantee him a comfortable future. After all, she had always been generous with her money.

But now? She was practically penniless and still expected him to maintain her extravagant lifestyle.

Does she seriously think I’m running a charity here?

"Alex! I said I’m hungry!" Julianna snapped impatiently.

He closed his eyes, struggling to maintain his composure. "Then order something."

Julianna stared at him. "With what money?"

Alex nearly choked.

Exactly! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!

"Julianna, you know things are a little tight right now. Can’t we just eat whatever we have at home?"

Her expression immediately soured. "Are you seriously asking me to eat leftovers?"

Alex’s patience finally began to wear thin. "And what’s wrong with leftovers?"

"Everything!"

He stared at her in disbelief.

Unbelievable! Her father is under investigation, her accounts are frozen, and she’s worried about eating leftovers?

Alex rubbed his temples. At this rate, he was beginning to wonder whether getting involved with Julianna had been the biggest mistake of his life.

"Fine! I’ll make something for you," Alex finally said, rising from the couch and heading straight into the kitchen.

However, the moment he opened the refrigerator, his expression darkened.

It was practically empty.

"You’ve got to be kidding me."

He rubbed his forehead helplessly before pulling out his wallet. After counting the few remaining notes, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"At this rate, I’ll be begging on the streets before the month is over."

Alex had never seriously considered getting a job. Why would he, when he had Julianna Hayes wrapped around his finger?

With her money and his ability to satisfy her every whim, he had imagined himself living a comfortable, carefree life without lifting a finger.

Unfortunately, his precious cash cow had suddenly stopped producing money.

With Hayes Enterprises under investigation and the family’s finances frozen, even Julianna couldn’t afford her usual luxuries.

And now she expected him to pay for everything!

"Alex! What’s taking so long?" Julianna shouted from the living room.

He clenched his fists.

"I’m checking what we have!"

"Well, hurry up! I’m starving!"

Alex stared at the empty refrigerator before glancing toward the living room.

Starving? Does she think I’m not hungry?

He slammed the refrigerator shut.

"Damn it!"

The thought of losing his comfortable lifestyle was already driving him mad. Worse still, he had no idea how long Vincent’s investigation would drag on.

What if the Hayes family never recovered? What would happen to him then?

"Alex! Did you hear me?"

"Yes!" he snapped before quickly lowering his voice.

He couldn’t afford to offend Julianna just yet. There was still a chance her family might recover its fortune.

But as he reluctantly reached for his keys to buy groceries, one thought kept nagging at him.

The woman he had once considered his golden goose was rapidly becoming his biggest financial burden.

***

By evening, Dominic finally returned home from work, carrying the little puppy in his arms.

Butler James immediately stepped forward to greet him.

"Welcome home, sir."

Dominic nodded before carefully handing him the puppy.

"Make sure he’s properly fed and gets some rest. He has another training session with me later."

Butler James blinked in surprise.

"Training, sir?"

Dominic glanced at the puppy, who was happily wagging his tail, completely unaware of his fate.

"Yes. It’s time he learned some discipline."

Especially when it comes to staying away from my wife.

Butler James struggled to suppress a smile.

"Of course, sir."

With that, Butler James carried the puppy away while Dominic headed upstairs.

After spending an entire day with the little troublemaker, Dominic had come to one very important realization.

The puppy desperately needed some basic training.

And by basic training, he meant learning not to invade his precious time with Clara.

Dominic had never owned a pet before, nor had he ever imagined himself competing with one for his wife’s attention.

Yet here he was, devising a training schedule for a creature that barely reached his ankles.

First, he needs to learn where he’s allowed to sleep. Second, no climbing onto Clara’s lap when I’m around.

Dominic paused halfway up the stairs, seriously considering a third rule.

And absolutely no interrupting us when we’re alone.

He nodded to himself, satisfied with his plan.

Of course, he had no intention of mistreating the puppy. Since Clara had decided to keep him, Dominic was determined to look after him properly. They simply needed to establish some boundaries. After all, there was room for both of them in Clara’s life.

As long as he remembers who came first.

With that reassuring thought, Dominic continued upstairs, completely unaware that his greatest romantic rival was currently enjoying a delicious meal downstairs.