Chapter 8 The True Face of Puppy

Jason's warning didn't really sink in for Hazel.

'A puppy,' she thought. 'What's there to be afraid of?'

That thought shattered the moment she stepped into the backyard and saw the alligator basking in the sun.

'Lawrence must have a very different idea of what a puppy is,' she thought, staring at the creature behind the glass fence.

After a moment of silence, she pointed at the alligator and turned to Jason. "This is the 'puppy'?"

Jason replied, "That's what Mr. Johnson named it, Mrs. Johnson. I did try to warn you."

Hazel's eye twitched. "Mr. Johnson sure has a unique way of naming things."

Suddenly, the alligator, as if spotting new prey, charged straight at her. Fear washed over Hazel, and she screamed, stumbling backward.

Jason quickly grabbed a nearby stick and struck the alligator on the head repeatedly until it retreated back into the water.

Jason asked, "Mrs. Johnson, are you alright?"

Hazel clutched her chest, still shaken, and with a pale face, she shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm going inside."

She turned and hurried back into the house.

Still rattled by the backyard encounter, Hazel was lost in thought as she climbed the stairs, not noticing Lawrence emerging from his study.

"Are you really so scared?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Hazel snapped back to reality. "How did you know?"

Lawrence pointed to the study. "I can see the backyard from there."

Hazel's face stiffened. So, he had seen the whole thing. She felt a bit like she had been played.

"Why would you name an alligator 'Puppy'?" she demanded, her eyes wide and cheeks puffed in frustration.

Seeing Hazel so flustered and indignant for the first time, Lawrence felt a strange, fleeting warmth in his heart. "Because I wanted to."

With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair back into the room, missing the face Hazel made behind his back.

"It has a caretaker. As long as you don't enter its territory, it won't bite you," Lawrence added gently, as if to reassure her. Hazel paused, then nodded.

The injuries Hazel sustained at the Anderson family had mostly healed after two days of rest.

Since Lawrence's warning, Luna hadn't bothered Hazel, and any snide remarks were quickly shut down.

"Hey, Lawrence, wait for me!" In the Johnson family courtyard, Hazel, dressed in a business suit, quickly got into the car and sat in the back.

The spacious interior felt icy cold.

Lawrence's lips were pressed into a thin line, his eyes cold and indifferent. He glanced at Hazel as she got in. "Get out."

The cold command was devoid of any warmth. Hazel clutched her chest, hurt, and put on a fawning smile. "Honey, just give me a ride. You're the best."

She had no idea what she had said last night to upset Lawrence, but he had been in a foul mood ever since. She was almost late for work, and she wasn't about to miss out on a free ride.

"Honey." Hazel persisted, refusing to get out. Lawrence finally relented, instructing the driver, "Take Mrs. Johnson to her office first."

"Yes, sir." The driver replied.

With Lawrence's approval, Hazel beamed. "Thank you, honey."

Ten minutes later, the black Maybach stopped in front of an office building, and Hazel got out.

She was an interior designer and had taken time off for her wedding to Randy, but the wedding had turned into a disaster.

She could already imagine what her colleagues were saying behind her back.

Sure enough, as soon as she entered the office, the lively atmosphere came to a sudden halt, becoming uncomfortably quiet.

"Well, if it isn't Ms. Anderson. We thought you weren't coming back."

"I heard there was a mishap at the wedding, and Randy left you. Is that true?"

Ignoring their gloating faces, Hazel handed out wedding favors to everyone else, leaving them fuming.

"Welcome back, and congratulations on your marriage." Back at her desk, Kelly Ross handed Hazel a small bag and smiled.

"Thanks. This is for you. Did you just get back today?" Hazel asked.

Seeing her closest colleague back at work lifted Hazel's spirits. She had invited Kelly to the wedding, but Kelly had been on a business trip. It was a relief Kelly hadn't been there to witness the fiasco.

Although they were the best of colleagues, they didn't keep in touch much after work.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah, I got back last night. Don't let what they say get to you."

Kelly's words warmed Hazel's heart. "Don't worry, I won't."

If she took every comment to heart, she'd be exhausted.

After a brief chat, they both got to work.

Hazel was catching up on her design drafts when someone tapped her shoulder. "Hazel, the boss wants to see you."

Frowning slightly, Hazel nodded.

She closed her design software and went to the boss's office, knocking before entering.

"Mr. Lawson, you wanted to see me?" Hazel said.

"Hazel, come in and sit down." Miles Lawson stood up from behind his desk, half-hugging Hazel's shoulder and guiding her to the sofa.

Uncomfortable with the close contact, Hazel frowned, her eyes flashing with distaste, but she forced herself to sit. "What can I do for you, Mr. Lawson?"

After all, this was still her workplace, and she needed the job.

Reminding herself of this, Hazel put on a fake smile.

Miles leaned forward. "Hazel, you know our design director left recently, and the position is open. I want you to take it."

Hazel was taken aback. While a promotion and raise were desirable, something felt off.

Hazel answered, "Mr. Lawson, I don't think I'm the best candidate for the design director position."

Something about this didn't feel right, and she didn't like the way Miles looked at her.

Miles wasn't surprised by her refusal. "Hazel, I'll be honest. I like you, and that's why I want you to be the design director."

As he spoke, he reached out to touch her hand, but Hazel quickly pulled away.

She stood up abruptly, her face full of displeasure. "Mr. Lawson, what are you talking about? I'm married!"

She had always felt something was off about Miles, and now she knew why.

"So what if you're married?" Miles said dismissively. "You didn't marry Randy. Your current husband is disabled. Can he satisfy you? Hazel, you're so beautiful. I can't bear to see you lonely. Why don't you divorce that cripple and be with me? I'll take good care of you."