She remembered that when she had a dog as a child, Nelson knew about it but had never seen it. Now, after so many years, he had probably forgotten. Moreover, Charlotte was so afraid of being exposed that she would never let him see it.
So she answered with confidence.
“Do you want to keep it?” Nelson rested one hand on the car window.
“Can’t I? Paucaster Villa is mine now, as you said.”
“What for?”
“For protection.”
He didn’t comment, just took a deep look at Pepper’s aged appearance and instructed Kieran to drive on.
The car sped away, and Callie, holding Pepper, followed behind, fuming. “Pepper, that man is our enemy. Next time you see him, bite him to death.”
Pepper panted; Callie didn’t know how much it understood.
The Maybach stopped at Paucaster Villa. Before Nelson got out of the car, he received a reply from the other end: Sir, this dog is indeed the Ellison family’s. How did it end up with Miss Marsh?
Nelson narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening.
With her studio short on staff, Callie had no choice but to leave Pepper at Paucaster Villa. After instructing Nancy to settle the dog, she asked, “Where is he?”
Nancy noticed the softer tone and quickly replied, “Sir went straight to the study upon returning and hasn’t come out since. He’s been working hard.”
Callie dismissed it.
Moments later, Nancy came out with a bowl of soup, gesturing for her to take it.
Callie frowned. “I’m not going.”
Nancy clicked her tongue. “Madam, don’t be so stubborn. Maybe if you soften up, he’ll come back.”
Callie wanted to laugh. “Nancy, you know he’s going to have another wife in a couple of days.”
Nancy was stunned, then sighed. “In my heart, you are the only Mrs. Oconnor.”
Callie felt a pang in her heart but took the bowl. “Fine.”
Anthony was discussing matters with Nelson in the study. No one was standing guard outside. As Callie approached the study door and was about to knock, she realized it was unlocked and overheard their conversation.
“Everything is progressing steadily. The support from Mr. Kaiser and Davian is unprecedented. You don’t need to prepare for the worst.”
The man’s voice was somber. “The situation in Ylosea is complicated. She can’t be dragged into this.”
Anthony quickly responded, “We’ve spoken with the airport staff. No one will be able to stop her when the time comes. As for the destination, you can choose one.”
After a moment of silence, Nelson spoke decisively. “New Zealand. The scenery is beautiful and it’s a good place to live. With what she has from me and my grandfather, she’ll be able to live comfortably for the rest of her life. Maybe in time, she’ll settle down there.”
As he spoke, his tone softened. “She is capable and resilient; she can live well anywhere.”
“You care a lot about her.”
“Too bad she won’t appreciate it.” Nelson chuckled lightly. “When she leaves, she’ll probably hate me.”
Callie held the bowl of soup for so long that her fingers burned.
“If Miss Marsh knew your good intentions, maybe she wouldn’t.”
“You don’t understand her,” the man sighed wistfully.
After a while, Anthony hesitated. “But aren’t you suspicious…”
His voice trailed off deliberately low. Callie’s phone vibrated in her pocket, so she didn’t catch the rest. She took out her phone and saw the news indifferently-it was the headline today:
Maevelyn Sweetly Picks Up Nelson After Work; Newlyweds Show Intimacy.
In the photo, the two walked closely together in a parking lot, indeed looking intimate.