Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 204: The Falling Star

The host paused for a beat, letting the anticipation build, before continuing to stoke the crowd's excitement.

"Word has it that even before its official release, the Light-Second vaccine had already secured pre-orders from several top-tier international veterinary hospitals. It's a massive hit before it even hits the shelves!"

"Today's convocation will serve as the grand stage for Ginnie to announce the triumphant launch of the Light-Second vaccine!"

Ginnie stood up at the cue, her gaze sweeping over the back rows to find Nancy. A smirk of blatant superiority and mockery curled her lips.

Nancy simply offered a faint, indifferent smile. She didn't bother responding.

Instead, she glanced down at her phone. The screen displayed a new message from Jeff:

"The process to halt Light-Second has been triggered; we're on our way. Are you at Townsville University? Is Ginnie there? Officials from the Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services are about to arrive. She needs to be brought in for questioning as a key figure in this patent case. Make sure she stays put so they don't miss her."

Nancy tapped out a concise reply: "Got it."

As the host loudly invited Ginnie onto the stage for her keynote speech, the audience erupted into a frenzy of whispers and awe.

"Ginnie? She's accomplished and she's only just starting her Master's? Holy crap, she's a total legend!"

"She's really doing Dracovia proud! Now that's what a real top student looks like."

"Wow, so it's her! I thought she was a celebrity guest invited by the school. She's got the brains and the looks!"

Bathed in a chorus of praise, Ginnie rose gracefully. With a confident smile, she began her walk toward the stage steps, the undisputed focal point of the entire hall.

However, just as she was about to step onto the stairs, two officials in the uniform of the Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services cut through the crowd with hurried strides and blocked her path.

One of them, looking grim, produced an official document and spoke in a clear, carrying voice.

"Ms. Ginnie, as the primary person in charge of the Light-Second vaccine, our department's audit has found that several key safety indicators fail to meet the standards of the Veterinary Drug Administration Regulations and relevant technical specifications. You are hereby ordered by law to immediately suspend the marketing and use of this product."

The other official spoke next, his tone brooking no argument. "Please cooperate and come with us to the Bureau immediately to assist in the investigation and verify certain details."

The venue, which had been buzzing with excitement moments ago, fell into a deathly silence.

Disbelief washed over Ginnie's face. "What do you mean 'halted'? Halted today?"

"You must have made a mistake, surely?"

The official unfurled the document directly in front of her, his voice calm and sharp.

"We do not make mistakes regarding regulatory matters of this magnitude. The document is explicit: the active ingredients in the vaccine you developed are highly similar to those of a previously disqualified vaccine called Claw Shield, yet it somehow passed all tests during your application."

The official's expression remained stern. "If you believe there has been a misunderstanding, please cooperate and come with us now." Clarifying the facts as quickly as possible is in your best interest and the public's. It's the most efficient way to resolve this."

Ginnie could feel the stunned gazes of the university board, the front-row VIPs, and the students digging into her like physical weights.

Even the host was paralyzed by the sudden turn of events, completely forgetting to smooth things over.

In that moment, the silence in the hall felt like ice. Ginnie felt as though she had been stripped bare and thrust into a fire; her face burned with a stinging heat.

She closed her eyes, took a sharp breath, and hissed at the officials under her breath, "...Let's go. Not through the main entrance."

Under a barrage of judgmental stares, Ginnie was led away by the officials, looking utterly defeated as she beat a hasty retreat.

Since it was the university's convocation, plenty of Townsville media outlets were present.

The sharp-eyed reporters immediately realized they had a massive scoop on their hands. Cameras were whipped out instantly, and the air filled with the relentless clicking of shutters as they captured her humiliated departure.

Every eye in the room followed her out. The freshmen began huddling together, their whispers growing into a dull roar.

"What's going on? Who were those guys?"

"Wasn't she about to give a speech? Why was she taken away?"

Suddenly, someone in the crowd cried out, "Look at your phones! Breaking news—the Light-Second vaccine has been pulled from the market the moment it launched!"

"What the hell? Is there something wrong with the vaccine?!"

"It says the ingredients are almost identical to Claw Shield, which failed inspection, yet it somehow bypassed the approval process!"

"No way!" Isn't Summers Corp a huge national chain? This is insane!"

Even the city officials in the front row were frowning now, turning toward Soren.

"Soren, what on earth is going on here?"

Soren was completely blindsided. Listening to the rising tide of gossip around him, he fumbled for his phone.

The moment he saw the headline, the color drained from his face. He sat there, pale and trembling, as he stammered, "How is this possible?"

"Summers Corp... such a massive institution... how could a vaccine have this kind of issue?!"

Jensen's heart sank as he caught a glimpse of the news, but he quickly regained his composure. He immediately signaled the staff to adjust the program, gesturing for the second student representative to take the stage to keep the ceremony from falling apart.