The Teddy Who Changed My Fate Chapter 2

That night, just as I was about to go to bed, a frantic knocking echoed from my door.

"Phoebe, go give this filthy animal a bath! And make sure you scrub him clean!" Stella demanded.

For some reason, the thought of touching that poodle filled me with a primal revulsion. "I have a report to finish for work. I don't have time."

I tried to close the door, but she stuck her hand in the way. "What kind of attitude is that? You'd better watch your tone with me. When I make it big, if you're lucky, I might hire you as my dog's nanny!"

As if on cue, the poodle trotted out of the bathroom and began humping her bare leg. Stella let out a frustrated shriek and kicked him away. The poodle slammed into the wall with a painful yelp.

I winced but hardened my heart. "If you can't handle it, take him to a groomer. They're professionals."

I shut the door in her face, her muffled curses following me.

In the days that followed, Stella not only started copying my style of dress, but she also began taking the poodle to work with her. At first, our colleagues cooed about how kind-hearted she was. That lasted less than a day.

Because Stella didn't bother with a leash or a crate, the poodle, clearly in heat, started marking its territory everywhere and lunging at people's legs.

"Stella, can you please control your dog? He just soaked my pant leg!"

"Ugh, he got into my trash can and now there's garbage everywhere."

"Damn it, Stella! He just peed on the copies I just made!"

Stella ignored their complaints completely. Our manager was already on edge because a major client was due for a site visit. When he saw the chaotic state of the office, he exploded.

"Stella! Who gave you permission to bring a pet to work?" he roared. "Do you have any idea how important this client is? Our entire second half depends on this deal! You have ten minutes to get this place cleaned up, or you and that dog can get out!"

Stella, however, remained completely unfazed. She wasn't even scared of the manager who used to terrify her. "I know exactly who's coming," she said with a smug little smile. "That's why I brought him. And just so you know, without me, none of you would be closing this deal today. So, I'd appreciate it if you stopped yelling. Or you might not be a manager for much longer."

A stunned silence fell over the office, followed by snickers of disbelief.

"Has she lost her mind? She's an intern, talking to the manager like that."

"I think she's genuinely unwell. Earlier she was telling everyone she's about to marry into a rich family and that we'd better not cross her."

"Seriously? This is the girl who budgets her takeout orders down to the cent? Marry into a rich family? The only 'old money' she's getting is the change she finds in the sofa."

But I knew. Stella wasn't lying.

The important client arriving any minute was the poodle's owner: Eleanor Vance, the chairwoman of the Vance Corporation.

Though furious, the manager was a seasoned veteran of the business world. Stella's unwavering confidence gave him pause. "You'd better be right about this," he warned, his voice low.

After ordering the cleaning crew to do a rush job, he escorted Eleanor Vance and her entourage into the office.

The poodle immediately darted to her feet, nipping at her trouser leg and yapping excitedly.

A strange expression crossed Eleanor's face, and a wave of fear washed over the room. The manager rushed to apologize. "Mrs. Vance, I am so sorry. I'll handle this immediately. Stella, get over—"

Before he could finish, Eleanor bent down and lifted the poodle into her arms. She examined him closely before turning her sharp gaze on Stella. "Is this your dog?"

Stella stepped forward, her voice a timid whisper. "I'm so sorry. He's usually very well-behaved. He's such a poor, sweet thing. He would have starved if I hadn't found him. Please, don't hurt him."

Eleanor's eyes scanned Stella from head to toe. "Hurt him? My dear, I should be thanking you. This is my lost dog. You are a very kind young woman. Name your reward. Anything you want, it's yours."

Watching the scene unfold from a new perspective, I couldn't shake the feeling that Eleanor's expression wasn't one of gratitude or admiration. Her words felt less like an offer and more like a hunter laying a trap.

Stella, however, could barely contain her excitement. "Really? What a coincidence! I only took him in because I felt sorry for him, I never expected a reward. But... if you really want to thank me, I hope you'll give our company's proposal serious consideration. I stayed up for nights writing it myself."

Gasps rippled through the office.