Chapter 1

My husband, Steven Goodman, braved the rain to find my lost puppy.

But the nanny, Amy Brown, lashed out at me loudly, "Why didn't you look for your own dog? What, you don't have hands and feet?"If Steven gets sick, can you afford that?"

I froze.

Steven gave Amy a comforting look, then turned to me and said flatly, "Amy is only worried about me. Don't be angry."

His expression was so calm, as if he were merely talking about what to have for lunch.

I shook my head and glanced at the camera on the puppy's collar. "Is it my turn to speak? If I recall correctly, I saw you two in the woods when I was walking the dog.

"Oh, and your nanny stole my jewelry. That's enough to put her away for three to five years."

Amy retorted, "Nina, stop slandering me. Steven and I have nothing going on.

"And exactly when did you see me stealing jewelry?"

Amy's face went ghostly pale as she jumped in to defend herself.

I scoffed, "So hugging in the woods means nothing? If I catch you two in bed, are you going to claim you were looking for the TV remote?"

Steven flashed an awkward, ingratiating smile and quickly wrapped his arm around me. "Nina, don't get the wrong idea. I was out in the woods looking for the dog, slipped in the rain, and Amy was only helping me up."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a plastic bag with a sexy costume inside. "So, explain this. Helping someone up requires this kind of outfit? Guess that's a new lesson for me."

Steven's face darkened. "Nina, what exactly are you trying to do?"

I said, "Alright, so you won't admit it? Then how do you explain her stealing my stuff?

"The Cartier earrings and Van Cleef & Arpels necklace missing from my dresser, plus a few other pieces that vanished before, altogether that's about 1 million. So, how are you going to settle this?"

Amy's eyes widened. "There's no way they're that expensive. You're making things up."

"Do you want me to throw the purchase records and receipts right in your face?" I retorted.

"Nina, I gave you those jewels. Don't be so petty," Steven said.

I shot back, "You gave them? That's rich. Stop putting on airs. Those earrings were a wedding gift from my mom, and I paid for that necklace myself. What did you use to buy them?"

Steven looked visibly uncomfortable. "When did you get so petty? We're husband and wife. What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours."

"Then go ask your side chick to pay it back," I snapped.

Hearing this, Amy immediately pouted at Steven, her voice sugary sweet. "Steven, you always spoil me. You'll help me, right?"

Steven cleared his throat awkwardly and reluctantly nodded. "How much is it? Put it on my tab. I'll pay later."

"Don't worry, I've got you," Steven patted Amy's hand. Then he turned to me. "Nina, why are you like this now? So confrontational, can't let go of the smallest things."

I rolled my eyes. "Wasn't that exactly why you fell for me in the first place? Because I was straightforward?"

Steven was caught off guard by my words, annoyance flickering across his face. He bent down, picked up the dog leash, and tossed it at me. "Your dog's as stubborn as you are."

The leash smacked against my shoulder. I glanced at the puppy on the floor, then shot a look at Amy. "Looks like your new puppy is way more obedient than mine."

Amy practically jumped in outrage, her face flushed. "Are you seriously calling me a dog?"

I ignored her, crouched down to pick up the leash, and brushed my fingers across the camera on the puppy's collar.

The red light was still blinking; everything was fine.

I let out a sigh of relief, stood up, and headed upstairs.

"Gold digger, you're only after the money," Steven snapped, clearly annoyed.

I shot back, "Steven, get your facts straight. This is my money. If I'm a gold digger, whose gold am I digging? My own?

"I'll send you the list tomorrow. 1 million, not a penny less."