I Heard the Dog and Exposed Her Lie

Synopsis

At the matchmaking table, James Carter sat with a cold expression as Emily Chambers, General Gideon Chambers's daughter, showed off her talents across from him. Behind the screen, I held the text he had just sent asking for help, and was about to step out to bail him out. Then the overdressed poodle opened its mouth, and I froze. I could actually understand its barking. [Woof! This guy is insanely handsome! Way better than the seven backups my mommy keeps! [What a pity. Mommy's already carrying Jack Sullivan's baby, so this handsome officer is going to take the fall!] The sheer absurdity hit me like a thunderclap. A war hero being forced into marriage, saddled with a notorious player and someone else's child? I could not hold back my laughter any longer and walked straight out from behind the screen. Right in front of her, I slipped my arm affectionately through James's and smiled at the poodle that had done me such a favor. "Mr. Carter, let's not be the world's biggest sucker today. This 'gift' she's offering is a bit too much to swallow." Emily's face went deathly pale, and her hand trembled as she pointed at me. I gave the leash in my hand a little shake and winked at her. "Ms. Chambers, are you leaving on your own, or should I deliver proof of the 'Jack' in your belly to your father's office?"