Chapter 5

I searched the stray dog shelter on the outskirts for three solid hours.

The sky went completely dark. The cold wind was biting.

The old man at the shelter told me that yes, a golden retriever had been dropped off today, but because there weren't enough cages, they'd temporarily tied him in the yard. The dog broke free and ran away.

I circled the nearby wasteland again and again.

I didn't find Biscuit. I only found a torn piece of leash in the grass, still stained with blood.

I collapsed to the ground, my heart feeling hollowed out.

Biscuit was a dog I'd gotten before marriage. He'd kept me company through countless lonely nights.

Now, because of a malicious woman's lies and a cowardly man's betrayal, his fate was unknown.

I stood up numbly and took a taxi back to the complex.

As soon as I walked into the complex plaza, Amanda appeared out of nowhere.

She held a hospital test report in her hand and blocked my path directly.

Neighbors out for evening walks immediately gathered around.

"Sophia, perfect timing!"

Amanda slapped the test report right into my face.

"My son has been complaining of stomach pain all day. The doctor says there's suspected internal organ damage!"

She pointed at my nose, grinding her teeth.

"You injured his internal organs yesterday with your pressing! Your brutal technique wasn't saving him--it was trying to kill him!"

I looked at the test report on the ground, finding it utterly absurd.

"The Heimlich maneuver can naturally cause mild abdominal discomfort. That's a normal side effect. Compared to death by suffocation, what's a little discomfort?"

"Normal? My son never complained of stomach pain before!"

Amanda shrieked.

"I'm telling you, Sophia, I've already consulted a lawyer. You need to compensate my son $200,000 for ongoing treatment and emotional distress!"

She laughed coldly and moved closer.

"If you don't pay, tomorrow I'll go to your husband's workplace with a protest banner and make sure your whole family is too ashamed to show their faces!"

Ethan had apparently come downstairs. Hearing this, his face went deathly pale.

He rushed over and shoved my head down hard.

"Amanda, I'm sorry, this is all our fault!"

Ethan's voice carried obvious trembling and fear.

"Don't go to my workplace, please. We'll pay, we'll definitely pay!"

I struggled desperately. Ethan pressed down on my neck with surprising strength.

"Sophia, will bowing your head kill you? Do you have to drive me to my death before you're happy!"

Ethan hissed viciously in my ear.

I stopped struggling.

I slowly raised my head and looked at Ethan's twisted, cowardly face.

To save his own face and job, he didn't hesitate to push me out as a shield.

I shook off Ethan's hand.

"Two hundred thousand? Dream on."

I looked at Amanda, my voice eerily calm.

"Go ahead and sue me. I'd love to see how the court rules."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Ethan shouted my name behind me, furious. I didn't even look back.