Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 112: Two Little Troublemakers

Barry glanced sideways at Nancy’s slight, fragile frame. Had this girl really been running around all day with that heavy backpack strapped to her? It was a miracle she hadn't collapsed from exhaustion.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, but he remained silent. He turned and headed for the exit with long, purposeful strides.

"Wait for me!" Nancy called out, jogging to catch up. She reached out, trying to reclaim her bag. "That’s actually really heavy, I can take it..."

"If you knew it was heavy, you shouldn't have been carrying it."

Barry effortlessly hoisted the bag higher, using his height to keep it out of her reach. His tone remained arrogant. "Get in the car. My vehicle doesn't wait for anyone." He sounded annoyed, but he consciously slowed his pace to ensure her shorter legs could keep up.

"My brother was carrying it for me before," Nancy muttered under her breath. Seeing yet another luxury car waiting at the curb, she felt a surge of indignation toward the ultra-wealthy. This man changed cars as often as people changed clothes.

The moment Nancy climbed into the backseat, she was stunned by the sheer opulence and space.

"Where’s Star?" she whispered, scanning the rear.

The once-majestic wolfhound was curled up in the middle of the expansive seat. Its limbs twitched in its sleep, and faint whimpers escaped its throat—the sound of a small animal in distress.

"A nightmare... he’s dreaming of the battlefield again."

Nancy’s expression softened instantly. She slid over next to Star and began gently massaging the pressure points behind his ears. Her voice was as tender as a lullaby. "Don't be afraid, Star. I'm here."

Hearing the familiar voice, the dog’s wet eyes snapped open. "Miss Nancy!"

The moment he recognized her, he practically sprang into the air. He lunged happily into Nancy’s arms, his powerful tail wagging so hard it swept a folder off the center console and sent tufts of fur flying through the air.

Barry made a clicking sound of annoyance, using his long fingers to pluck a silver-gray hair from Nancy’s head. "It’s bizarre. Why does he stabilize the second he sees you?" He looked down at Star, who was now quiet and completely relaxed in Nancy’s embrace. "What kind of spell did you cast on him?"

"It’s called the professional sense of security that comes with being a top-tier vet!" Nancy replied proudly, scratching Star’s chin. The dog stretched out his paws in total bliss. "I told you to move into the staff dorms. It would make treatment easier and save everyone a lot of trouble."

"But no, you have to maintain that big CEO ego of yours."

Barry let out a cold laugh. "Live in that four-square-meter shoebox of yours?" He loosened his tie, his tone icy. "My suits require more storage space than that."

Of course, it wasn't just about the size of the room. The thought of moving into Nancy’s territory while still paying the multi-million dollar treatment fee he had originally offered made him inexplicably irritable. He had started this by signing a contract that essentially made her his 24-hour on-call employee. How had it turned into him being the one seeking her out and begging for medical help?

Barry had never signed such a humiliating contract in his life. Usually, people begged him to sign their multi-million dollar deals; he didn't chase people down to give them money, especially not while being talked down to.

"Move into the park," Nancy urged, her eyes bright in the dim cabin. "It's a forest oxygen bar with fresh air. Plus, it's close to your office—only a ten-minute commute."

She nestled into the leather seat and began counting on her fingers. "Rent is a hundred thousand, plus utilities, cleaning, management fees, trash removal..." She paused, giving him a bright smile. "I’ll charge you a hundred and fifty thousand a month. Isn't that a steal?"

Barry shot her a sidelong glance and scoffed. "I’m rich, but I’m not an idiot."

"But having Star live in is part of the therapy!" Nancy argued. "I’ve gathered all the necessary recovery equipment. If you just bring him over, I’ve planned..."

Nancy’s voice trailed off. Suddenly, her head lolled to the side and landed directly in Star’s thick fur.

Barry whipped his head around, a rare note of urgency in his voice. "Nancy?"

He stared at her pale face and instinctively checked the pulse at her neck. Her breathing was steady—she was even letting out a tiny, soft snore. The wave of relief that washed over him made his heart skip a beat.

She had scared him half to death.

The perks of being young, he supposed—falling asleep the second her head hit a surface.

Barry frowned, meticulously checking her pulse once more just to be sure. He only relaxed when he confirmed she was just exhausted. His gaze lingered on her slender arms and the sickly pallor of her skin; she looked so fragile that he feared she might vanish at any moment.

Nancy was now completely buried in Star’s soft, silver fur, her cheek squished against the warm dog. Star’s tail had unconsciously curled around her waist, and his previously twitching limbs were now stretched out in peaceful relaxation.

Barry withdrew his hand, his throat tight. He reached for a spare cashmere throw in the back and draped it over the pair. His movements started off brusque but became instinctively gentle as he tucked the blanket around Nancy’s shoulders.

"Two little troublemakers."

Nancy curled up like a kitten against Star, her face buried in the wolfhound’s warm neck, her cheeks taking on a faint pink hue. Her long lashes fluttered like tiny fans, casting quiet shadows under her eyes.

The warmth of the car and the heavy silence of the night finally reached Barry. His cold, sharp features softened as he, too, succumbed to a light sleep.

Neither of them noticed that the heavy backpack discarded on the floor mat was slowly being pushed open from the inside.