Wash Off That Stench of Poverty

At my wifes birthday party, her date for the evening pinched his nose and declared that I stank.
She just laughed, ordering her security to strip me and throw me in the pool.
Why dont you wash off that reek of poverty and filth, she said, her voice dripping with contempt. You can get out when its gone.
My dogs, the pack Id raised myself, surged forward, trying to drive off the men holding me under. But my wife simply ordered the staff to beat them all to death.
They had no idea. They thought they were just dogs. They didnt know I could command beasts.
Amid the jeering laughter, I lifted the lifeless body of my youngest pup into my arms and raised the ivory whistle to my lips.
Today, I said, my voice cutting through the noise, not a single one of you is leaving this place.

01
The moment the words left my mouth, the garden erupted in howls of laughter.
Did the water go to his brain? Blowing a whistle? Does he think hes some kind of hero? Hes going to break a tooth talking like that.
Ooh, such big words. I guess we didnt wash him clean enough.
Here, lets give him another rinse.
With that, they grabbed my head and shoved it back under the chlorinated water.
Clarissa watched from the patio, a serene smile on her face, making no move to stop them. Of course she didnt. This was all her command.
But this time, the hands that had been impossible to break free from felt like paper. I threw them off with ease.
Seeing me resist ignited Clarissas fury. She stormed over, not caring about the water soaking her designer dress, and grabbed me by the collar.
Cole, you dare fight back? she seethed. Youre a charity case from the mountains. If it werent for the Sinclair family, youd still be running with wild dogs.
Listen to me, Cole. If you want to keep living under our roof, you will get in that pool and wash the stench off you. The Sinclairs do not shelter trash.
I brushed her hand away. Clarissa, I asked, a humorless laugh in my voice, what on earth makes you think I need the Sinclair family?
Her face flushed crimson. Ever since the Sinclair Corporation had started its meteoric rise three years ago, no one had dared to speak to her like that, least of all the man she despised most.
She pointed a trembling finger at me. Who the hell do you think you are, Cole? You and your filthy muttsevery cent spent on you came from us!
Dont you dare play the saint with me.
I flicked a few drops of water from my shirt. Youve got that wrong, I said calmly. Ive never used a single cent of Sinclair money. In fact, the question is, how much have the Sinclairs enjoyed spending mine?
It was the truth. Three years ago, the Sinclair Corporation was on the brink of collapse. Her father, Arthur Sinclair, had come to me, bearing my familys token. My grandfather had told me before he died that if anyone ever came with that token, I was to help them, as long as it wasnt for some wicked purpose.
So I left the mountains with my pack and, as he wished, I married Clarissa. With my skills and connections, I opened doors for the Sinclair Corporation that had been sealed shut for decades. I made them the undisputed titans of Apex City.
My words silenced the party. Every eye turned to Clarissa.
She was trembling with rage. Her hand flew up to strike me. Thats the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard! The Sinclair name has stood for a century! What are you that you dare say such things?
Cradling the small, still body in my arms, I couldnt dodge in time. The slap was hard and clean. The taste of blood filled my mouth.
That slap brought the rage simmering beneath the surface to a full boil.
I looked at her, my voice cold. Miss Sinclair, arent you afraid of what your father will say when he finds out about this?
Clarissa just waved a dismissive hand. My fathers gone senile. Thats the only reason he fell for your tricks. Today, Im going to make him see that a person like you will never be worthy of me.
I didnt know if this was her idea or her fathers, but I was done talking. I turned to leave with my fallen companion.
Wait!
It was Lances voice. Mr. Miller. It wouldnt be right for you to just walk off with Sinclair property, would it?
I turned back to face him. Ive told you. Nothing I have belongs to the Sinclairs.
Lances lips curled into a smug, provocative smile as he pointed at the small body in my arms. This dog ate Sinclair food, drank Sinclair water. That makes it a Sinclair dog, even in death. Wouldnt you agree, Mr. Miller?

02
The insinuation was clear to everyone. The tense atmosphere shattered.
Hahaha, Mr. Knight is right! The most important thing in life is gratitude. For example, if something isnt yours, its not yours even when its dead.
That dog looks like it was well-fed. I wonder how it tastes?
Easy enough to find out! You think Clarissa would say no if Lance asked?
Of course not. Everyone knows shed do anything for him.
The mockery grew louder. Lance wrapped an arm around Clarissa, his expression one of pure arrogance.
I hugged the cold body in my arms tighter, my gaze locking on Clarissa. Is that what you think, Clarissa? Do you agree with him?
She smiled and gave a firm, deliberate nod. Lance is right. It ate my food, drank my water. Even dead, its my dog.
She looked me up and down, then sneered. As for youyou can crawl back to whatever mountain ditch you came from.
I hadnt expected that. She knew how much my dogs meant to me. They had been my constant companions since I left the mountains. Even her own father treated them with kindness.
I had always told myself that this arranged marriage wasnt what she wanted, that a man should be patient with his wifes moods. When she mocked me for smelling like the animals I spent my time with, I endured it for her fathers sake.
But my tolerance had only earned me deeper humiliation, culminating in the brutal murder of the animals Id raised since they were pups.
In that moment, I decided I was done enduring.
Lance, seeing my silence, grew impatient and reached out to snatch the body from my arms.
I sidestepped him easily. And what if I say no? I said, my voice calm. If you want to take whats mine, youre not worthy. None of you are.
Clarissa seemed stunned by my defiance. Then, her shock turned to rage. Cole! Today, I will teach you whose name is on the deed to this house!
Did she really think I didnt know? On paper, the company was still Sinclair. In reality, every major deal, every new venture, was mine. With a single word, I could have the name changed.
But Clarissa, despite her dislike for me, had always maintained a certain decorum in public. Shed never humiliated me like this before. First, she lets her boy-toy provoke me, then she has my dog killed. Either this was her fathers doing, or she had found a new patron powerful enough to defy him.
Either way, my patience had finally run out.
Clarissa clung to Lances arm. Guards! Take the dog back. And strip him. I dont want him leaving with a single thing that belongs to this family.
My eyes were ice. Clarissa, dont forget what your father told you.
At the mention of her father, the approaching servants hesitated. Arthur Sinclair had stepped back from daily operations, but his authority was still absolute. They were caught in the middle.
Seeing them falter, Clarissa shrieked, her voice echoing across the garden. Cole, you dare threaten me with my own father?! Do it!

03
The other dogs in my pack, injured but alive, struggled to their feet. They formed a protective circle around me, their eyes fixed on the approaching men.
The servants backed away. They knew how formidable these animals were. A team of mercenaries who once tried to break in and kidnap Clarissa had been torn apart by this very pack.
I knelt and gently stroked their heads. Dont be afraid, I whispered. I will make them pay.
My voice was soft, but those nearby heard it and laughed again.
Did you hear that? Hes telling the dogs hell make us pay.
He really does think hes one of them.
Clarissa covered her nose in disgust as I touched the animals. Disgusting. Just like their master. Well kill them all today and have a feast.
I fought to control my fury. You want to eat them? I said, my voice low and dangerous. You must be dreaming.
Lance stepped forward. Cole, you live off the Sinclairs charity, and you have the audacity to talk back to Clarissa.
If you know whats good for you, youll tell them not to resist. Well make it quick for them. And dont worry, after we make stew, well be sure to save you the bones.
The crowd of rich heirs roared with laughter. They had been subtly isolating me all night, and now, with Lances arrival, their sycophancy had reached a fever pitch.
Let me be blunt, I said, my gaze sweeping across their smug faces before landing back on Clarissa. You are not qualified to force me to do anything. Its not that I look down on you its that even if your fathers were standing here, they wouldnt be qualified either.
Especially you, Clarissa.
I finally understand why your father refuses to hand the company over to you. Hes known all along that youre an incompetent fool.
The words struck a nerve. Her face contorted with rage. What do you think you are, Cole? she screamed. Youre nothing but a dog my grandfather raised for me!
And let me tell you something. Lance is the heir to a reclusive dynasty. With his help, the Sinclair Corporation will be mine!
I looked at Lance, who puffed out his chest at the mention of his status, and almost laughed. A reclusive dynasty named Knight? I wondered what the old masters would say if they heard that.
My silence was misinterpreted as fear. Lance wrapped an arm around Clarissa and kissed her deeply. When they broke apart, he shot me a contemptuous look.
Only a man of my station is worthy of Clarissa. As for you His eyes raked over me. get as far away from here as you can.
The other heirs immediately began to chime in.
Mr. Knight is the heir to a reclusive dynasty? No wonder he captured Miss Sinclairs heart!
Theyre a perfect match! A match made in heaven!
The flattery went to their heads. Clarissa dropped all pretense.
Cole, she said, her voice cold and final. I want a divorce.

04
Now I was sure. Her father knew nothing about this. If he had any idea who Lance claimed to be, he would never agree to a divorce.
Since Clarissa had decided to grind my dignity into the dirt, I no longer felt any need to honor the kindness her father had shown me.
I clapped slowly. Finally. Youve revealed your true purpose.
The public humiliation, the murder of my dog all of it was just a prelude to asking for a divorce, wasn't it?
I just dont understand. Why go to all this trouble?
Clarissa sensed the fury beneath my calm exterior. She clung to Lances arm and sneered. Because Lance hates you, of course. We had to do something to make you give up for good.
I was genuinely shocked. What had I ever done to make her think I was so desperate to hold on to her that she needed to resort to this?
I laughed out loud. Clarissa, have I ever once told you that I love you? Who gave you the ridiculous idea that I would cling to you like some pathetic stray?
Yes, I had tolerated her foolishness. But that didn't mean she could parade her lover in front of me and expect me to take it.
Her face darkened. Lance, however, couldnt resist jumping in. Dont try to save face. Theres no shame in loving Clarissa. The only shame is being loved by someone like you.
He kicked one of the bodyguards standing nearby. What are you waiting for? Get the dogs and throw him back in the pool.
These were not the household servants from before. These were professional security, armed and ready. At Lances command, they charged.
The dogs around me crouched low, a deep, menacing growl rumbling in their chests.
I raised the ivory whistle to my lips.
As the sound pierced the air, the dogs moved with an almost human intelligence, dodging and weaving through the guards attacks.
Until the guards were gasping for breath, and still hadnt managed to touch a single one.

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