fanqie novel
Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Chapter 249 Do You Think I Intentionally Lost the Dogs
The entire ordeal unfolded in a mere five minutes, a testament to the perpetrators’ familiarity with such nefarious acts.
Chloe’s scalp tingled as she hobbled after them, desperation lacing her voice. “Who sent you?! I’ll pay double the amount! Just give me my dogs back!”
For a brief moment, the two men wavered, but they did not relent. They hastened their steps, leaving Chloe behind until they vanished from sight. Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, Chloe fought back tears. Without her phone, her only recourse was to return home and seek Joseph’s help. 1
She fought through the agony, each step shooting a sharp pain through her bare skin. Along the way, she bumped into Xavia, who appeared confused. “I went to your house looking for you. Joe said you went out to walk the dogs,” she said, noticing Chloe’s empty hands. Concern etched her face as she asked, “Where are Toto and Oreo?”
Chloe felt like she had grasped a lifeline as her words rushed out anxiously. She explained that two unfamiliar men had taken Toto and Oreo to Xavia. “You must have passed them on this very road. Hurry, inform the property management team. Maybe they can intercept them!”
Xavia’s expression turned peculiar. “I didn’t see anyone. Are you certain you didn’t misinterpret the situation?”
“It’s impossible. I witnessed it firsthand!” Chloe, sensing Xavia’s skepticism, did not dwell on it and swiftly used Xavia’s phone to contact the property manager. She also dialed Joseph’s
number.
Joseph arrived first. Upon hearing the entire account, his face grew rigid, maintaining a composed and inscrutable expression. In an upscale villa community like theirs, it seemned inconceivable for strangers, let alone dog thieves, to operate so brazenly.
“It’s highly unlikely for such an incident to occur within this neighborhood. They have round- the-clock security guards stationed at the entrance,” Xavia remarked, looking at Chloe with a perplexed expression. “Are you absolutely certain there wasn’t a misunderstanding or… something else occurred? I know it can be challenging for you to handle two dogs on your own.
Chloe frowned, her voice tinged with annoyance. “Do you think I intentionally lost the dogs?”
Xavia bit her lip. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
Sensing the tension, Xavia decided to avoid further discussion on that topic. She lowered her eyelids and offered gentle words of comfort.
“Don’t worry, once the property manager arrives, everything will be clarified,” Joseph interjected, attempting to reassure Chloe.
Chloe’s brows furrowed even deeper, and she clenched her jaw, choosing not to elaborate any further. The property manager swiftly arrived after receiving the report about the missing dogs from Joseph’s house. He promptly escorted Chloe to the security room to review the surveillance footage. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
As they carefully examined the footage from start to finish, only Chloe appeared in every frame. There were no signs of the unfamiliar men she had described, and the recording abruptly cut off at the camera’s blind spot. It did not look as if someone had stolen the dogs. Instead, it gave the impression that Chloe had orchestrated the entire incident herself.
Xavia’s eyes instantly welled up with tears, her gentle demeanor masking a hint of resolve as she said, “Ms. Chloe, please return Oreo to me. I won’t ask for your help in taking care of him anymore.”
Chloe recoiled in shock, her voice trembling as she protested, “I didn’t do anything.”
“Ms. Chloe, it’s highly unlikely for strangers to enter this neighborhood, and why would you walk into the blind spot of the surveillance camera while simply walking the dogs?” The property manager’s impression of Chloe remained tainted by the suspicion of her past actions, causing him to side with Xavia. He saw Chloe as someone who sneaks around and has secret meetings with other men behind Joseph’s back.
“I was on a phone call with a colleague, and I happened to pass by that area,” Chloe explained. However, the explanation lacked conviction and appeared weak. Sensing that her words were falling on deaf ears, Chloe nervously turned to Joseph, seeking his support and understanding.
Recalling the encounter between Icarus and Chloe near the villa, Joseph’s expression grew cold. Ignoring her pleading gaze, he walked away and made a phone call, instructing someone to investigate the matter.