LoveDrug

Chapter 24: Winning Over the Gatekeeper

The dense canopy of leaves cast a shadow over the road, dimming the light like an endless tunnel. Then, suddenly, the darkness broke. A grand estate emerged ahead, towering like a castle, majestic and imposing. At the entrance, a security guard stepped forward, blocking Summer’s car.

“Who are you?”

Summer rolled down the window. “I’m here to see Mr. Graham. My name is Summer Stewart.” This time, she was smart enough to add, “I’m a close friend of his.”

The guard gave her a skeptical look. A fair-skinned beauty, dressed in professional business attire—different from the women before her, who arrived in flashy, revealing outfits.

“Every woman who comes here claims to be his ‘close friend.’ Even that excuse is outdated.”

Summer was speechless. Fair enough. She had underestimated Fraser’s charm in Havenbrook.

Just then, a loud “woof woof woof” broke the conversation. A massive, fluffy white Samoyed came barreling toward the gate. Behind it, a flustered dog sitter, Hailey, was chasing after it, breathless.

“Hey, Pudding, slow down! Slow down! Someone stop him! He never runs beyond the garden—why is he charging the gate like a wild horse today?”

“Pudding, you little menace! How did you get out?”

The security guards immediately forgot about Summer and scrambled to stop the dog, but they hesitated to grab him too forcefully. Everyone knew—this dog was Mr. Graham’s most treasured pet. Years ago, a housemaid had made the mistake of underestimating Pudding. She had been raking leaves in the garden when Pudding, playful as always, jumped into the pile and scattered them everywhere. Irritated, she lightly tapped him with the broom. That one small act got her fired on the spot. Since then, the entire Skycrest Villa staff knew—Pudding was the real master of the house.

Pudding barked even louder as he dodged the guards, sprinting straight toward Summer. It was as if he were shouting: “Move! I smell someone very familiar!” Summer stared at the enormous white fluffball hurtling toward her—a Samoyed, strong and nearly half her height. It was clearly older, but its movements were still agile and full of energy. Strangely, Summer felt an instant connection to it. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had seen this dog before. A childhood memory surfaced. Summer had always loved animals. Once, she had found an injured stray puppy on the street and secretly taken it home. The next day, Yolanda had crushed it under her foot, right in front of Summer. Summer had screamed, sobbed, and fought back for the first time in her life. Yolanda had simply sneered, poking her forehead. “You’re already a burden—now you expect me to raise a dog too?” The memory made Summer’s stomach twist.

She instinctively opened the car door and stepped out. Pudding skidded to a stop about six feet away, staring at her with bright, intelligent eyes. Then—

“Woof! Woof! Woof!” He barked like crazy, his excitement almost uncontrollable. The maids and guards all stared, shocked. Pudding was just like Fraser—aloof and distant toward strangers. Even the dog sitter had spent two whole years earning its trust. Yet the way it was acting now…it wasn’t barking to scare Summer off. It recognized her.

Summer crouched down on one knee, slowly reaching out her hand. “Come here.” In the next second, Pudding blinked. Then he launched himself at her. Summer nearly toppled over from the sheer force. Pudding licked her arms, her hands, her face—everywhere he could reach. It was the smell—familiar, safe, comforting. Excited, he barked even louder. Summer stumbled back a few steps, struggling to hold onto the oversized fluffball. He’s so heavy! The staff was stunned. What the hell was happening? Did Pudding really…know this woman?

Summer, still buried under white fur, peeked out and gasped for air. She patted Pudding’s massive head and looked at the guards. “Well…since he likes me so much, why don’t I take him inside?”

Meanwhile, Fraser had just arrived home when a maid rushed over, slightly panicked. “Sir, something strange happened today.” He raised an eyebrow. “What did Pudding do now?”

“Well…” The maid hesitated, trying to find the right words. First, the dog charged the front gate like a lunatic. Then, he had jumped all over a beautiful woman, refusing to let go.

Fraser frowned. Pudding had always been picky about people. For him to react this strongly to someone? Who the hell had come to his house?

Finished.