The more Beatrice thought about it, the angrier she became.

He refuses to find a girlfriend, but he's bringing home pets? What good were cats and dogs? Could they take the place of a partner?

"Oh, let it go," Alaina said, taking her mother's arm gently. "Mom, Gordon's a grown man. If he wants a dog, let him have one. This house is certainly big enough for it."

Although she was afraid of dogs herself, she would support her brother if it made him happy.

Justice nodded in agreement. "Alaina's right, Mom. If Gordon likes it, just let him keep it. It's only a dog."

"No! Absolutely not! I can't stand dogs!" Beatrice declared. "If he dares bring that mutt in here today, I'll break its legs first!"

"This is not up for discussion! I'm not bluffing! I will not live under the same roof as a dog."

Finished with her tirade, Beatrice glared at the butler. "Perkins, what are you still standing there for? Go find him!"

"Right away, madam." The butler bowed and hurried out the door.

Watching him go, Alaina chuckled. "Mom, Gordon already brought the dog home. Are you really going to make him get rid of it?"

"Of course I am! Sylvester Manor is not some animal shelter," Beatrice stated, her expression resolute.

Just then, footsteps approached from the doorway, followed by Gordon Sylvester's voice.

"Mom, I'm home."

Beatrice set her jaw and remained silent.

Seeing her expression, Gordon raised an eyebrow. "What's this? Who's upset the queen mother now?"

Justice moved to Gordon's side. "Your mother says she absolutely refuses to share a roof with a dog."

At this, a small smile played on Gordon's lips. He crouched down and stroked the dog's head, his face a mask of disappointment. "Oh, so she doesn't like our Monday. Well, Monday, I guess we should go. We wouldn't want to be where we're not wanted."

With that, Gordon made a show of turning to leave with Monday.

"Wait! Hold on!" Beatrice shot up from the sofa. "Gordon, wait a minute!"

"What is it, Mom? I thought you didn't want us here," Gordon said, looking back at her.

Beatrice's voice was suddenly eager. "What did you say its name was?"

"Monday."

Beatrice's eyes lit up.

"Monday! Is that Catie's Monday?" she asked. She wasn't wearing her reading glasses, and with Gordon standing at a distance, she hadn't gotten a clear look at the dog's face.

"Yes, it is," Gordon confirmed with a nod.

Beatrice's tone shifted again. "How did you manage to get Monday to come here?"

"Catie had to go abroad for a bit, so she asked me to look after him for a few days." Gordon sighed dramatically. "But I had no idea you disliked dogs so much. Well, Mom, Monday and I will be on our way."

"Who said I don't

n't like dogs? Of all the

animals, dogs are my absolute favorite!" Fearing Gordon would actually leave, Beatrice rushed over, snatched the leash from his hand and began petting Monday shead, "So this is Monday! I knew there was something special about him! He's even cuter in person than in the pictures! Monday, welcome to our home!"

Somehow, knowing the dog belonged to Caitlin made all the difference. Even Monday's pronounced underbite now seemed utterly charming. Beatrice felt a sudden, overwhelming affection for the animal. She would have gladly let him sleep in her bed that night.

She turned to Alaina, beaming. "Alaina, look! See how well Catie has raised him? His coat is so shiny and smooth!"

Alaina was speechless. When it came to sudden mood swings, her mother was in

a league of her own. One second, it was a 'mutt'; the next, it was 'her little darling.'

She looked like she wanted to scoop the dog up and cuddle it.

Even Justice was dumbfounded. He'd been married to Alaina for over twenty

years and had never seen his mother-in-law change her tune so fast.

Gordon's brow arched slightly. "Mom, didn't you just send Perkins to tell me that in this house, it's either you or the dog?"

Beatrice immediately covered

Monday's ears. "Monday, don't listen to his nonsense! You're an absolute treasure couldn't be happier to have you here." Then she shot a look at Gordon. "That was then, this is now! I'm a woman of mystery, can't I be?"

A woman of mystery.

Even someone as stoic as Gordon couldn't suppress a chuckle at that.

Beatrice led Monday to the sofa. "Come on up, Monday. You can sit with me today."

Her gaze fell on Alaina, and her tone became dismissive. "Alaina, make some

room for Monday. Don't you know he's our guest?"

Alaina stared. "Mom, what about your germaphobia?"

Her mother, sitting on the sofa with a dog? Was she serious?

"Our Monday isn't dirty. He's very clean!"

Alaina frowned. "But..."

"But what?" Beatrice cut her off. "Alaina, don't say such things. Monday is very smart; he can understand us. You'll hurt his feelings. What if you give him a complex and he never wants to visit us again?"

And if Monday didn't visit, how was Beatrice supposed to scheme her way into having Caitlin as a daughter-in-law?