Chapter 14
“Sorry for bothering you, Mr. Patterson. I don’t want to be a nuisance this late at night, so I’ll swing by first thing in the morning to apologize properly.” Saying so, Winnie decided to take Pretty home and spruce it up. She was determined to show Drake a squeaky–clean Pretty the following day.
Drake watched her serious face, his expression still unreadable. He nodded slightly and then motioned to the butler. “Please escort Ms. Bryant home.”
The butler nodded courteously and led Winnie out the door. Although they lived in the same villa area, he thoughtfully arranged for a security patrol car to escort her and her little fox to the Bryant family’s doorstep.
The housekeeper, who had come out to greet her, was stunned by Winnie’s appearance.
He had no idea when Winnie had sneaked out, and was that a fox she was cradling?
“Miss Winnie, what is that?” After the Patterson family’s bodyguard left, the butler, still puzzled, looked at Winnie and her furry companion, unsure which to address first.
Seeing Winnie’s light attire, he hurried her inside.
Upon entering, they saw Horace waiting by the staircase. Around the corner, Springer was peeking out, a picture of nosy anticipation.
When Winnie stepped in, Springer caught sight of her bundle and couldn’t help but ask in a hushed tone. “What the heck is that in your arms? We don’t allow furry pets in this house!”
Winnie glanced at the ever–present young man and retorted with deadpan seriousness,
“If that’s the case, how come you’re here?”
Springer’s expression froze, his confusion evident. Horace couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
Springer realized he had been outwitted, and his face turned red, ready to explode. “You!”
“It’s late. Grandpa and the others are asleep.” Winnie’s offhand comment extinguished Springer’s volcanic temper.
Though headstrong, he always knew when it was okay to make a fuss and when it wasn’t.
Quiet hours after dark were a rule of the Bryant family.
Their grandfather went to bed early. It wouldn’t do to disturb his rest.
Even with his anger stifled by Winnie’s quick thinking, Springer could only storm off, his steps light as he ascended the staircase.
Watching Springer leave, Winnie turned to Horace, her demeanor softening from the banter she had shared with Springer.
16:37
Chapter 10
Cradling the little fox, she bit her lip and said, “This is my pet fox. I knew I moved and came to find me.” She paused, then added, “I’ve rented a place for it outside. It will stay here tonight, and I’ll take it away first thing in the morning.”
Her implication was clear that she wouldn’t be a burden to the family.
Horace felt a pang of sorrow hearing II. The fox was her longtime pet, yet she had to keep it outside due to the Henderson family’s disapproval.
Back at her own home, she hadn’t even considered keeping it with her, so cautious was she
Her carefulness tore at Horace. With that, a deep resentment toward the Henderson family boiled within him.
His sister, the darling daughter of the Bryant family, should have been spoiled from birth, getting everything she wanted. Yet she had been worn down by the Henderson family to the point of being afraid to mention keeping a pet at home!
“This is your home. You can keep whatever you want here.” Suppressing his emotions toward the Henderson family, Horace stepped forward, wearing a graceful, reassuring smile, his voice warm and decisive.
Winnie hesitated.
“But didn’t Springer say that furry pets aren’t allowed.” she said.
“You said it yourself. If Springer can be here, why not your fox?” Horace flashed a smile, cleverly using Winnie’s own reasoning to calm her down, his eyebrow raised in amusement. Then, he gently tapped the little fox’s head in an elegant, affectionate gesture.
Seeing Winnie still looking bewildered, Horace offered her a soft smile, his eyes brimming with certainty. “Don’t worry. I got your back.”
That single sentence felt like a warm current had brushed over Winnie’s heart, reigniting a familiar, tender feeling.
Winnie opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to say thanks. Then she remembered his words that she didn’t have to thank him.
So, she swallowed the words and nodded obediently. “Okay.”
Carrying the little fox upstairs and closing the door behind her, Winnie suddenly realized she had been smiling without knowing it.
She looked down to find the fox staring at her curiously, its eyes full of wonder.
Winnie promptly dropped her smile, put on a stern face, and asked, “Didn’t we agree you’d stay put and not wander off? You know what? You nearly got yourself killed.”
The fox seemed to understand her and hopped down to the floor, looking innocently back at her before pointing to the backpack It had brought. It seemed to say that since she had moved, it would follow.
16:38
Chapter 14
Winnie huffed lightly, crouched down, and unpacked the backpack. Besides a can of Pretty’s food, she found her charms and tools in the bag.
After the car accident, she spent three days in the hospital. Though she had got someone to look after Pretty, the little fox was worried she’d run out of supplies.
Winnie stroked the fox’s furry head in reward, then tucked the items away.
Since she began learning mystic arts from her master, she had rented a small place to keep her practices secret from the Henderson family and her belongings safe.
So, when Suzan kicked her out, she didn’t take any luggage with her.
Her important possessions had never been at the Henderson house.
She had planned to settle in and find time to visit the little fox back home, but to her surprise. the little thing had followed her all the way here, even if it did end up at the wrong place.
Despite the late hour, Winnie still took the little fox into the bathroom to scrub it from head to tail. Once it was squeaky clean, she cuddled it back to bed, ready to catch some z’s.
Maybe it was because of the late–night hustle, Winnie woke up later than usual the following morning, her eyes fluttering open to a bedroom that seemed straight out of a fairy tale, with its dreamy princess vibe. It took her a while to shake off the grogginess and realize where she
was.
It was her new room.
While she was trying to get used to the bubblegum pink walls and frilly decor, a sudden shriek from downstairs pierced the air.
“Ah! There’s a fox! Someone get the butler, quick!”
And then another cry of alarm followed. “Where did this wild fox come from? Hurry! Catch it!”
Winnie was instantly wide awake and bolted upright, scanning the room to find it empty. The screams from below continued, and her face paled.
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