Yvonne had been dead for six or seven years, yet Bennett still frequented the Jones', treating them like his in-laws.

"What were you doing just now? You took so long to open the door, and you didn't answer your phone..." Emma's high heels clicked on the living room floor. Her words trailed off as she saw Bullet emerge from one of the rooms.

The black dog was huge and powerfully built, looking quite fierce.

Emma jumped, her expression souring even more. "Are the Joneses so poor they can't even afford to keep their own dog? Why do they have to leave it with you?"

More importantly, it was a dead woman's dog. Just looking at it felt unlucky.

Of course, Emma wouldn't say that to Bennett's face. He would surely lose his temper. She knew all too well how deep his feelings for Yvonne ran.

Bullet was a specially trained dog. He must have sensed Emma's dislike because he quietly lay down in a corner of the living room and didn't move.

Bennett went to the kitchen. He hadn't had a chance to boil water since he got back, so the kettle was empty. He couldn't make coffee. Instead, he opened the fridge, took out a bottle of water, and handed it to Emma.

Emma frowned at the cold bottle. "Where's Helen?"

"I gave her the day off for the holiday," Bennett replied.

"Even Helen knows to go home for the holidays, but you'd rather go to some strangers' house. The Walkers and Yolanda came to visit today, but you weren't there. I swear you're trying to give me a heart attack."

As she spoke, Emma sat down on the sofa. Her hand rested on the cushion and touched something damp.

"Why is the sofa wet?"

Bennett's gaze flickered to the spot, a brief, unnatural expression on his

face.just showered it must.

water from my hair You Should probably sit somewhere else."

Emma didn't think much of it and shifted over. "They came to visit today and brought up your engagement to Yolanda."

"And you agreed?" Bennett's eyebrows drew together, his eyes turning cold.

"Your father managed to deflect," Emma sighed. "Yolanda is such a wonderful girl. What more could you possibly want? You keep this up, and you'll regret it one day."

Bennett ignored her words, his eyes hooded. He stated coldly, "I am not marrying Yolanda. So stop making plans behind my back. If you arrange a marriage without my consent, then whoever arranged it can be the one to get married."

He lifted his wrist and glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. You should head home before Dad starts to worry."

"Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me? I'm not leaving tonight. I'll stay here," Emma declared.

"I have to head back to the base shortly. Are you planning on staying with Bullet?" Bennett glanced pointedly at the dog on the floor.

Hearing his name, Bullet perked up his ears and sat up straight. His intimidating appearance was quite effective.

Emma instinctively flinched. "Why do

you have to go back to the base during the holiday? I never wanted you to join the army in the first place it's hard, dangerous, and pays so little. You should retire as soon as possible and come home to take over the company. The Thompson Group is a huge enterprise. Why leave it in the hands of an outsider like Noah?"

Bennett paid no attention to her complaints and instead called her driver.