When Ariana didn't see the person she wanted to see. Disappointment hit her.

She reminded herself it was safer for Holden to lay low with everything going on here.

Just knowing he was watching her in secret was enough to calm her nerves.

"You should leave now. Keep at it today. If you come back here tonight, you won't be so Lucky,” the man in charge said, waving her off dismissively.

Ariana walked over and asked, "Can I bring this puppy with me? It's like my good-luck charm."

She really liked the dog. Holden had picked it out for her, and she didn't trust these people. With all the wild animals around, they might feed the puppy to the beasts here or something.

The man in charge rolled his eyes and snapped, “Absolutely not. Just because you got lucky yesterday doesn't mean you're the boss around here. You can't even take care of yourself, let alone a dog.”

Ariana clenched her jaw, clearly upset by his attitude. But she wasn't going to let him push her around. She shot back, “Who says I can't have a pet? There's no rule against it. Get Bennett over here and let him explain this."

The man's eyes widened in shock. “Are you out of your mind? You can't just call Mr. Olson by his first name!"

"Why is it such a crime to use his first name?" Ariana said with a sarcastic laugh. "Isn't that the point of having a name? I can't even call him that? Then should we bow when he walks by or something?"

Ariana's words cut like knives and were aimed directly at the man in charge.

She knew arguing with these people was pointless because they were just Bennett's parrots. But maybe, just maybe, she could get through to Bennett himself. Besides, if Holden's plan for the banquet was going to work, she needed to get inside.

Ariana patted the puppy's head and said, "I'm not leaving it. I've named it, which makes it my responsibility. If you won't let me take it with me, then get Bennett down here and have him tell me why."

The man's face turned red with anger. He snapped, “There's no way you're taking this puppy with you. But if you want to dig your own grave, be my guest!"

Meanwhile, Bennett had just finished a leisurely ride on the racetrack and had got off his horse.

He sat down to change his riding boots when a nervous woman came over to help.

Before the woman could even touch his shoes, Bennett scowled and pushed her away, barking, “Who do you think you are? Why does every random person think they can just waltz up to me? Who said you could get this close?"

The woman was clearly shaken, her body trembling with fear, yet she forced herself to glance up at Bennett.

She had a stunning beauty, with curves that drew attention.

Her eyes were wide and full of fear, but she managed a faint, almost apologetic smile through her tears. Her blouse was slightly open at the top, showing her skin. In a shaky voice, she pleaded, “Mr. Olson, please, let me serve you. I'll do anything."