Chapter 101 The Dog Had Died


    Finn raised an eyebrow slightly. “As you wish.”


    His voice was low and soft, almost floating in the air.


    Tess was caught off guard by a hint of submission in his tone and found herself ncing at him twice, eyes wide with surprise.


    He focused on setting the table, his posture rxed and natural, yet that unmistakable cold presence still clung to him.


    Tess quickly looked away, shaking her head as if to chase off the strange thought.


    Both my requests are simple, and Finn probably doesn’t want to get involved with me and La anyway.


    Maybe this is better for everyone.


    A thousand thoughts raced through Tess’s mind, but she kept her face calm andposed.


    Surprisingly, the meal went without any problems.


    Tess barely had an appetite and stopped after a few bites.


    The table was unusually quiet except for La’s babbling and the asional clink of Finn’s utensils against his te. <fn2385> Updates are released by Find?Novel</fn2385>


    He noticed Tess had stopped eating, his eyes catching on her slightly curled fingertips.


    “Do you want to say something?”


    He put down his utensils and frowned as he looked at her.


    Tess was caught off guard; she hadn’t expected him to notice her hesitation.


    Even though she’d agreed toe back to Evermount Vi, her decision to divorce Finn hadn’t changed. Living under his roof while preparing to end the marriage left her feeling uneasy.


    “Nothing.”


    She pressed her lips together and shook her head.


    Last time, he hadn’t responded when she sent the divorce papers to his office. This time, she nned to print them out and bring it up in person.


    Her mind was made up-she didn’t want to stay any longer.


    Holding La close, she stood and left the table first.


    Finn’s fingers twitched, but then he went back to eating, his voice indifferent.


    But this time, he had no appetite.


    He rubbed his temple, his gaze drifting to the empty seat across from him.


    Without her there, the food lost all its appeal.


    He often sighed, setting down his utensils and ncing unconsciously toward Tess’s closed bedroom door.


    At least she’s back, isn’t she?


    Meanwhile, Tess was unpacking some simple clothes when a silk handkerchief slipped from the suitcase and fell to the floor.


    She looked down, noticing the numbers written on it.


    She tossed the handkerchief onto the nightstand and quickly finished organizing.


    Soon, everything in the suitcase was neatly stored.


    Only then did Tess pull out her phone and enter the contact info Abel had left.


    She sent him a text. “Hi.”


    Tess blinked in surprise when Abel texted back almost instantly.


    He wrote, “My name’s Abel Shaw.”


    Before she could wonder why he emphasized that, a new message popped up.


    “The hospital lead went cold.”


    Tess quickly typed and sent her full name.


    The “typing…” indicator stayed on, but no new message came.


    She didn’t wait and called him directly. “What do you mean the lead went cold? Do you have any updates on the golden retriever? Did the tests show anything?”


    Abel blinked, looking hesitant to speak.


    He stared at the screen, his expression grim.


    The golden retriever had been sent to the vet on his orders, with a specialist assigned. But right after he left the hotel where Tess had stayed, the first news he got was that the dog had died.


    Howe the dog’s dead?


    I kicked it hard, but it was still breathing when we sent it to the hospital.


    The hospital said the dog was beyond saving and had been euthanized.


    Abel swallowed the bitterness, his voice heavy as he told Tess everything he knew, not leaving anything out.


    Tess gripped her phone tight, her brow deeply furrowed.


    She murmured, “The dog died?”


    Abel’s tone was serious, without a trace of humor. “Yes. The hospital said it was badly hurt and barely holding on. They euthanized it under the Animal Cruelty Prevention Act.”


    Tess looked up, a shadow growing deep in her eyes.


    I’m sure someone pushed for that decision.


    Tess bit her lip, her expression grave.


    She asked the question burning inside her, “As far as I know, even under thatw, the pet owner needs to authorize the euthanasia, right? I don’t think the golden retriever’s owner was at the hospital. So why did the vets go ahead and put it down?”


    Abel paused, thinking over her words.


    Then he caught her meaning, his expression tightening with concern.


    “I’ll have someone check the surveince footage carefully. They must’ve conducted tests before euthanizing the dog. I’ll get someone to retrieve all the data.”