Chapter 4
That day, Victor whacked me ten times with that stick.
When Simon was applying ointment to my wounds, I was bawling and saying, "I will have Victor fired. I won't rest until we've settled the score."
Simon glanced at Victor, swallowed hard, and stammered, "Y-you can do it, Ms. Payne."
After Victor's training, my puppy vibes toned down a lot.
Three months later, when I finally learned to greet people just like any regular little girl, he threw a party to announce who I was.
The system said, "Hey, silly pup, you've really nailed it these past three months.
"Every time Victor was about to go full villain, you'd piss him off so bad that he'd drop Daisy over a dozen times. He couldn't go anywhere without that wooden spoon.
"But today's the big one. Charles is making his move for power and needs Victor's help. Thanks to Daisy's scheming, Victor's gonna hand over his fortune and take a dive off the deep end."
My brows furrowed as I listened, feeling a mix of annoyance and disbelief.
For real? How did a tough mutt like me get stuck with such a lame excuse for a villain dad?
"What are you staring at?" Victor asked.
He shoved a piece of cake into my mouth.
Since he was feeding me, I thumped my chest and said, "I will protect you."
Victor gave a small laugh and flicked my forehead.
"Finish eating before you talk," he said.
Simon wiped away a tear.
"It's been ages since I've seen Mr. Payne so happy," he said.
Victor hadn't even had a chance to snap back before Daisy strolled over, her arm linked with Charles's.
She flashed a smile and said, "Victor, since when did you have a daughter?"
She smiled, but the way she looked at me was pure disdain.
And there was definitely some jealousy mixed in her gaze, too.
I could tell she was definitely intimidated by my strength.
"Daisy," Victor said, his smile deepening. As his gaze slid over Charles, his fingers unconsciously curled.
I grabbed Victor's hand and shot Daisy a cheeky, toothy grin.
I said, "Appreciate you taking care of Victor all this time.
"He's not really the chatty type, so he got all awkward about introducing me. Cut him some slack, alright?"
Victor's emotion disappeared in a flash.
He gritted his teeth and snapped, "Mia!"
Daisy forced a smile, looking a bit awkward.
She said, "Mia, huh? You're quite the character.
"But I need to have a word with your dad. Why don't you go hang out with Charles for a bit?"
My eyes widened in surprise.
I looked Charles up and down, scrutinizing him.
I said, "I only play with the handsome ones.
"As for this Mr. Stone..."
Before I could finish, Victor quickly covered my mouth with his hand. "Go on, I'll have Simon keep an eye on you," he said.
With the system's warning in my head, I didn't dare stray far.
I just stuck close by, watching everything unfold.
No matter how much Charles tried to chat me up, I wouldn't move an inch.
It wasn't until Simon went off to grab me some cake that I suddenly realized Victor was gone.
The system said, "Silly pup, Victor's been drugged. Daisy is about to snap some scandalous photos and literally use his finger to sign off on the papers.
"Once she gets that stamp, your whole family fortune is toast."
Oh no! My fortune.
I dashed upstairs, heart thundering in my ears.
Charles called out, "Hey, kid, where do you think you're running off to?"
My little legs were working overtime, but with his long strides, he caught me in just a few steps.
His eyes were bloodshot as he clamped his hands around my neck, squeezing so hard I could barely breathe.
He said, "Just one more step and both the Payne and Stone families would be mine.
"Don't you dare mess this up for me."
Damn, he was strong.
I couldn't breathe and everything was going fuzzy.
But I kept fighting, letting out a wild snarl as I bit down on his hand, ripping out a bloody piece.
He howled in pain, let go, and booted me to the ground with a vicious kick.
A bone snapped with a sickening crunch. Agony ripped through every inch of my body.
The system said, "Silly pup, hold on! Let me hustle up some points and snag you a life-saving item. Wait for me."
Charles's face darkened with fury.
He said, "You've really pissed me off. If I don't finish you today, I'm not a Stone."
He brandished a knife and advanced on me, step by step, making my heart pound like crazy.
I couldn't let Victor die.
And I sure as hell couldn't die either.
I still had to wait for my owner to come home.
He would make me yummy dog food and gently pat my head.
He would sew me cute little outfits and worry if I was not eating enough or sleeping well.
Before he left, he hugged me gently and said, "Mia, be good and look after the house. When I get back, I'll bring you some fruit candy."
I still hadn't gotten to try those candies.
But Dad... I didn't think I would ever get to see you again.
Just as the blade was about to pierce my chest, everything seemed to freeze.
The system said, "Silly pup, I'm here."
Right as the system's voice rang out, someone hauled me up by the scruff of my neck.
Victor's eyes were icy and venomous as he asked, "Who do you think you're trying to kill?"