Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 123: The Forty-eight Hour Miracle

Simon’s police jacket was draped casually over his arm, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing toned forearms. He was still helping his sister by carrying a pet travel crate.

As he scanned the room, a hint of post-mission relaxation lingered in his sharp features.

Jack’s pupils constricted. Suppressing his rage, he snapped, "You two! I am currently delivering a critical case briefing and deployment strategy! Barging in like this is a blatant violation of protocol!"

Internal panic flared within him—he had no idea how much of his hard-earned, "precious" intelligence these two had overheard from outside the door.

Nancy and Simon shared a knowing glance. Without a word, they stepped back in unison to clear the central aisle.

The next second, a heavy, silencing scene unfolded.

A line of sharp, disciplined detectives marched in, escorting a long string of dejected, handcuffed suspects. The criminals were covered in grime and hunched over in shame—a stark contrast to the upright, righteous bearing of Simon’s team.

Simon spoke up, his voice calm and almost nonchalant as he looked at Jack. "Sorry to interrupt your performance."

"The suspects are in custody. We just came by the Command Center to turn them in."

Even more striking were the other officers who followed, carefully carrying sealed, transparent evidence boxes. Inside, bronze vessels and gold-inlaid arrowheads shimmered under the lights, radiating an aura of ancient majesty and weight.

These were the exact types of artifacts Jack had just been displaying on the screen, but here they were in greater numbers and far better condition.

The entire Command Center fell deathly silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

The pride and confidence on Jack’s face vanished completely. He looked as though he had been struck across the face, his expression fading into a pale mask of disbelief.

Simon walked to the front of the conference room. Without sparing Jack a single glance, he saluted Captain Simmons. His voice was steady and powerful. "Reporting to Captain Simmons: the seven primary suspects involved in the murder of Professor Morgan and the looting of the Western Han shipwreck tomb have all been apprehended. Not a single person escaped. Twenty-eight core artifacts have been recovered and inventoried; most are in excellent condition. The cache was located in the cemetery of Aqua Village."

The members of the strike team snapped to attention and saluted, their voices resonant and firm. "Reporting! The task force has successfully completed the mission! All suspects are in custody, and all artifacts have been recovered!"

The loud report echoed through the silent room with undeniable weight.

"..."

The room remained in a state of suspended animation. Every high-ranking official present wore a look of utter shock.

They had assumed that a major case involving an ancient tomb and a homicide would require weeks, if not months, of meticulous surveillance and cautious investigation to avoid spooking the targets. Historically, such cases were grueling and complex; suspects were usually as slippery as eels.

Who could have predicted that a case of this magnitude—involving national treasures and murder—would be solved from start to finish in less than forty-eight hours? And with both the suspects and the loot captured red-handed!

The line of suspects was a pathetic sight—soaked, covered in mud, and utterly defeated. One of them even had a face full of suspicious red welts, looking both miserable and unintentionally hilarious.

In contrast, the returning officers were spirited and sharp, showing no signs of fatigue or injury. Even their uniforms were barely dusty.

Captain Simmons actually pinched his thigh under the desk to make sure he wasn't dreaming. This Team Award had just... fallen into his lap?

Forty-eight hours.

Not a single artifact missing. Not a single officer harmed. Not a single extra resource wasted.

Captain Simmons looked at the screen behind Jack—at the "major lead" that required "difficult negotiations," "24-hour surveillance," and "waiting for the right moment." Then he looked at the bedraggled suspects and the crates of priceless national treasures standing right in front of him.

The difference in efficiency and capability was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.

The slight softening Simmons had felt toward Jack earlier vanished instantly. He took a deep breath and looked at Jack. His tone was neutral, yet the lack of emotion was more cutting than any verbal reprimand. "...You’ve clearly put a lot of effort into this. Sit down. Have some water."

Jack froze, his face burning. He barely heard whatever Captain Simmons said next; he could only feel everyone’s gaze pricking him like needles. The "vital intelligence" he had paid a ruinous price for—the intel he thought would save his reputation—had become an absolute joke in the face of Simon’s sheer efficiency.

Captain Simmons stood up excitedly. "Great work, everyone! You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Sit down, sit down. I’ll have food sent in for you immediately!"

Before the officers could even move, Master Crow and the cockatiel took the lead, flying over to the empty chairs next to Captain Simmons and landing with perfect elegance.

Nancy stared at them, momentarily stunned.