Faced with Renee Jennings's questioning, Vernon remained perfectly calm.
He said with a smile, "Streamer, no matter how many times you ask, my answer will be the same. I'm the cat's owner."
"You're lying!" Renee Jennings's face was cold, her displeasure evident. "You clearly stole that cat!"
[Wait, the cat was actually stolen???]
[But Vernon just said he'd raised it since it was a kitten... I don't even know what to say!]
[If you want a cat, just buy one. Why steal?]
A flash of surprise flickered deep in Vernon's eyes before he denied it. "Streamer, you should watch what you say."
'This man is so shameless.'
She retorted mockingly, "Well, let me tell *you* something. If you want a cat, you can buy one or adopt one. But you absolutely cannot steal one!"
Vernon maintained his refined demeanor. "Streamer, what makes you say I stole this cat?"
A chill crept into Renee Jennings's clear, pleasant voice. "Fifi told me. You know perfectly well whether you stole her or not."
