Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 668

Honestly, Max and Duke weren’t what you’d call cute—not in the Instagram-dog way. They were big, intimidating, and had that look that made people cross the street. Definitely not the kind of dogs you’d see winning “Prettiest Pup” at some fancy dog show.

But Charles never cared about pretty. He liked strength. Pretty things were just for show, and he had no patience for that. Max and Duke were the toughest dogs he’d ever seen. Raised on special meds since they were pups, they didn’t even feel pain in a fight. They were just like him—made for battle.

Whenever Charles brought them to parties abroad, he instantly became the guy everyone avoided. The socialites and heiresses would shriek the moment they saw the dogs, making the rest of the Chester family want to disappear. Eventually, Charles just stopped going to those parties. He got used to doing his own thing.

Even his older brother, Mitch, only ever called his dogs “impressive” or “fierce.” No one had ever said the word “cute.”

So when Clara looked up at him with those bright eyes, it threw him for a loop. He stood there, totally stunned, like his brain had short-circuited.

“Clara, why don’t you just stay with me from now on?” he blurted out. “You think they’re cute too, right? We could go anywhere together.”

Clara nodded, all in, eyes sparkling. “Okay!”

Charles jumped up, ready to make it official, but then reality hit. He remembered his deal with Richard. In three days, he’d have to hand Clara over. And on top of that, she was married now—to Dylan.

It wasn’t that he minded her being married, but Dylan wasn’t just anybody. Mitch had warned him back when they were abroad: don’t mess with that guy.

Now that Clara was Dylan’s wife, she’d have to be careful with everything she did. She’d probably end up just like those perfect, boring socialites he couldn’t stand.

And he’d be left alone again.

If only Clara could stay just like this.

He dropped his head and started walking away.

Clara hurried after him, hugging her stuffed animal. “Charlie, what’s wrong? Are you upset?”

Charles tried to smile, but it came out crooked. “Aren’t you only ten? How’d you know I was upset?”

Everyone else always just thought he was throwing a tantrum—they never took it seriously.

Clara caught up to him and stood by his side. “I can just tell. I don’t want you to be sad. Did we not play enough? We can keep going if you want.”

Max and Duke were as wild as ever. Charles never bothered with leashes, not even at home. They followed him everywhere, even slept in his massive bedroom—the place was so big you couldn’t see the end of it.

He led Clara in, grabbing her wrist in his excitement. “This way, come on!”

Her wrist was still sore, but she didn’t complain—just winced and kept quiet.

Max and Duke were dozing on the carpet, but when they heard them come in, they stood up. They were huge, their coats shining under the lights.

Clara put her big stuffed bear down in front of Max and reached out to pat his head.

Charles’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest. “Wait, don’t just touch him—Max can—”

Before he could finish, Max leaned right into Clara’s hand, tail slowly wagging.

Charles stared, completely stunned, his eyebrows drawn tight in disbelief.