The car sped away asn Goodwin made several calls, reaching high-level city officials to demand a halt to the processing of dogs sheltered the previous night.


    Who would have thought that the wealthiest man in Ashford City would leverage his power and resources to their absolute limit for a single dog?


    Lanny''s car screeched to a halt outside a dpidated courtyard on the outskirts of the city, the site of the temporary animal shelter. Before Lanny could even open the door for him,n pushed it open himself and strode inside.


    Several staff members, who had been chatting over tea, were stunned to see him.


    They stared at the man in the high-end suit, his expression cold and severe, wondering what he was doing there.


    The shelter''s manager immediately recalled a phone call from twenty minutes earlier, hearing that a tycoon''s dog had gone missing and might be at his facility.


    He hadn''t expected the man to show up in person.


    "Sir, what breed is your dog?" he asked, stepping forward.


    "A Beagle,"n''s voice was devoid of any warmth. "Where are the dogs that were brought in around nine o''clockst night?"


    The manager''s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly led the way. "In the back of the courtyard-please, follow me."


    They passed through a narrow path into arge, foul-smelling shed area in the backyard. Inside were dozens of cold iron cages, filled with stray dogs of various breeds, sizes, and colors, all whimpering and barking nervously.


    Just then, an excited yelp came from one of the cages. A dog was spinning in circles, pressing eagerly against the bars.


    That sound-


    It was Princess.


    "Princess,"n called out, his voice


    filled with emotion as he strode toward the cage. A staff member quickly grabbed an iron rod, unlocked the cage door, and held back the other dogs, letting only Princess out.


    Princess''srge brown eyes, full of fear, now seemed to overflow with a profound sense of grievance. She let out a whimper and bolted from the cage, running straight forn.


    "Woof!" Princess let out an excited whimper that was all hurt feelings and relief, like


    a child who''s finally found their parents after being lost.


    But then,n noticed arge patch of fur missing from Princess''s neck, revealing a deep bite wound where the blood had already dried one of


    her legs had a simr injury, she had clearly been attacked by the other dogs.


    A sh of pain crossedn''s eyes. He scooped Princess up and walked back to


    Lanny''s car.


    "Boss, I''m so d we found her," Lanny said, breathing a sigh of relief.


    "Get us to the best veterinary hospital, now,"nmanded.


    Once in the car, Princess, likely terrified from the previous night, kept nudging into


    Princess find a sense of security


    against him. He took out his phone and sent a text to Eleanor Sutton: cess. She''s


    "Found Princess


    e Wered I''m


    taking her to the vet."


    He then sent a photo of Princess along with the message.