Just as Summer Knight was spacing out, she suddenly felt something warm and wet on her palm.
Startled by the ticklish sensation of a tongue, she snapped back to her senses—Snowball had just licked her hand.
Seeing she didn’t shy away, Snowball got bolder and took a step forward, lifting a paw like he was about to jump on her again, playing cute to win favor.
Alexander Barron barked out another sharp command, and the big dog instantly shrank back, letting out a soft whimper.
His icy blue eyes looked up at Summer almost like he was trying to tattle on Alexander.
That pitiful expression nearly made Summer laugh out loud.
Wait a second—was this the same fearsome, vicious Tibetan mastiff the maids kept going on about?
Really?
Alexander gently patted Snowball’s huge head, a hint of rare softness flickering across his face.
Who would’ve thought, even after all these years, Snowball still remembered Summer… just like he did.
Snowball wasn’t usually this friendly—besides Alexander and Summer, no one could get close without being barked at or worse.
Ever since Summer left, the dog’s temper had grown increasingly volatile, attacking anyone who dared get near.
So after bringing him back from City A as a kid, Alexander had kept him on this mountainside.
Over time, thanks to gossip and exaggeration, terrifying stories about a killer dog lurking in the hills spread throughout the villa.
“What are you doing here?
Don’t you know this area’s off-limits?”
Alexander quickly masked his emotions again, his expression turning cold as he stared at Summer.
Summer blinked, a bit confused.
Was he… mad at her?
But why?
He’d been worried earlier—why the sudden cold shoulder?
She racked her brain, but still couldn’t figure out what she’d done last night to upset him.
“Big brother, I heard from Emma that you didn’t eat breakfast.
So I made it myself and brought it for you!”
Summer beamed, pulling a lunchbox from behind her like it was treasure, holding it out to Alexander.
He gave the lunchbox a glance, eyes darkening instantly as a chill settled on his face.
What was this supposed to be?
Act cold one moment, then butter him up the next?
He still remembered how she’d muttered in her sleep that morning, face pained, telling him to“go away, go away!”And now she stood here smiling way too sweetly, saying,“Big brother, I made you breakfast!”
Was this… because of James Carter?
Even after two lifetimes, was she still playing the same game?
At this point, Alexander didn’t want to figure her out anymore.
I’ll take you back.
From now on, don’t come to the hills unless I say so.”
He didn’t even glance at her again, let alone the lunchbox, before turning and walking off, strides long and fast.
“Big brother, wait!
Don’t walk so fast, I can’t keep up!”
Summer hurried after him, confused and looking like a kicked puppy.
No matter how many times she called out, Alexander never looked back or slowed down.
Summer gripped the lunchbox tighter, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Fine.
If he wouldn’t look at her, then she’d make him turn.
Her mind quickly spun into motion, and her gaze landed on the silly dog wagging its head behind her.
She’d felt some strange closeness to this fluffy brute ever since she saw him.
Alright then, Snowball—it’s your time to shine.
Help me win this round.
She shot him a look.
Surprisingly, Snowball got the message right away and suddenly leapt forward, swiping at her hand with his paw and sending the lunchbox flying.
With a loud clatter, the lunchbox hit the ground and shattered, spilling eggs all over the place.
“Ah!”
Summer Knight screamed on cue.
Hearing her shout, Alexander Barron whipped around, thinking something serious had happened—only to see that it was just the lunchbox falling from Summer’s hands.
Meanwhile, the real culprit, Snowball, excitedly sniffed at the scattered egg on the floor.
But after one sniff, the dog wrinkled its nose in dislike, stuck out its tongue in disgust, and casually walked away like it wanted nothing to do with the mess.
Summer was silently holding back her frustration:Really, Snowball?
You had to be so obvious?
Alexander didn’t have the heart to scold the dog.
After all, he’d raised it like family since it was a pup.
He knew its temper too—the dog might look fierce, but it would never go out of its way to do something Summer didn’t like.
His sharp eyes fell on her face.
She was staring at the destroyed lunchbox on the ground with a look of absolute heartbreak.
When she noticed he was looking, Summer lifted her gaze to meet his, eyes suddenly stinging. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Her lashes started trembling, and in barely a second, she put on the perfect“I’m so wronged”expression.
She burst out crying like the sky had just fallen.
Tears streamed down her delicate, pale face—she looked like the very picture of sorrow.
Summer knew from past experience that as long as she cried like this, Alexander would cave every time.
He might try to act tough, but he couldn’t resist once she teared up.
So she sobbed dramatically while pointing fingers.
“Boohoo… Big Brother is mean!
He broke my lunchbox!
Summer doesn’t like Big Brother anymore!
Hmph!”
Sure enough, the moment Alexander saw her cry like that, whatever anger he had vanished into thin air.
He didn’t even care that the lunchbox was clearly destroyed by Snowball—it didn’t matter anymore.
All he could think about was making this little troublemaker stop crying.
Once she cried, he was helpless.
“There, there… stop crying now,”he coaxed her gently.“You’ve got tears all over your face—looking like a little mess.”
Alexander wasn’t the type to comfort people—but for Summer, he’d break all his rules, and then some.
Looking at her now, all red-faced and tear-streaked, he felt like something was squeezing his heart tight.
He was supposed to keep her safe—how had he let her cry like this again?
Putting aside his clean-freak tendencies, he took his sleeve and carefully wiped the tears off her cheeks.
But instead of calming down, he found himself thinking how, right now, she looked like a cute little kitten—a very upset one.
And she just kept crying, more tears spilling like pearls that wouldn’t quit.
“Mm-mm!
Summer’s not ugly!
Big Brother is!”she sniffled aggressively.
Looking at her flawless face—which could honestly be a model for divine craftsmanship—Alexander couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“Okay, okay… Big Brother is ugly,”he said with a smile.“Now can Summer stop crying, hmm?”
“I could…”Summer replied mid-sniffle,“but only if Big Brother promises to do everything I say!
Like in the storybooks!
If I say go east, you absolutely can’t go west!”
Still sobbing and hiccupping, she shamelessly pushed her demands.
“Alright, alright,”Alexander gave in instantly.“Whatever Summer says, I’ll listen.”
And the very first thing she planned to make him do—was help her throw her weight around, nice and loud.