"Dog! Mister allowed me to stroke her!" your daughter exclaims, sparkling with joy as she jumps around a puppy. Chloe’s eyes have never been so bright. She’s usually a quiet, shy girl who only talks to you and Mr. Francis Beranger, the man you work for as a housekeeper.

You’re about to remind Chloe to be gentle with Mr. Beranger's dog when, unexpectedly, Francis speaks first.

"It seems they’ve already become friends. I don't mind them playing," he says, placing a hand on your shoulder and smiling in his usual charming way. "The puppy needs a friend. Chloe would be perfect for that role."

You can’t guess his true intentions.

One day, when Francis came home early, he overheard your conversation with Chloe. She had told you how much she liked Mr. Beranger's house but mentioned that sometimes there was nothing to do. While Francis had allowed her to explore the house freely — excluding his office — it was clear that a five-year-old girl found little joy in wandering up and down the grand staircase. There were no toys in the house, and Francis understood her boredom. However, if he were to buy her an expensive toy, he knew you would feel indebted to him.

He decided to employ a different strategy. He bought a puppy. He knew Chloe would instantly adore the playful and affectionate dog. This way, she would become even more attached to "kind Mister Beranger" and never want to leave. Eventually, she might even say she wished to live there. Chloe’s heart would be won over completely, and as for yours… Francis had plans for that too.

He wouldn't be like your husband, a fool who abandoned his family. Francis would care for you and your daughter as though she were his own. But that was a plan for the future.

"It always seemed to me that the house was too empty. So, I decided to get a dog. I’d be delighted if your daughter played with her. I sincerely hope you don’t have an allergy," Francis says, his tone as smooth as ever.

Francis knows you aren’t allergic. For now, though, he continues with his little charade.