Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 269: The Professional

"We’ve arranged for Professor Brandon Colley to oversee the consultation personally. He’s already waiting at the Animal Health Center."

Callum froze, his voice full of disbelief. "Brandon Colley?"

At the same time, Nancy looked up, a flash of surprise crossing her face.

Ginnie saw her opening and pushed forward. "Professor Brandon comes from three generations of world-class equine specialists. He has a unique approach to these cases. I’m sure you’ve heard of him."

Callum’s resolve wavered. "You actually managed to get a hold of him?"

Brandon was a legend in the international veterinary community. He was only twenty-six when he was named an honorary professor at the Royal Veterinary College. He spent most of his time traveling for high-level, classified research projects, making him nearly impossible to track down.

For an equestrian enthusiast like Callum, Brandon’s name carried massive weight. He wasn't just a top-tier vet; he was a gold-medal rider who understood the physiology and behavior of horses better than anyone on the planet. Callum had tried to contact him multiple times in the past, but the projects Brandon worked on had such high security clearances that he could never get through.

Ginnie saw the shock on Callum's face and allowed herself a small smile. Her Aunt's Bellwood’s connections really were on another level.

"Yes, Mr. Brandon is a key strategic partner of ours. We work very closely with him," she said, her voice steady and confident. "With him leading the way alongside our six national experts, your horse will be back on its feet in no time."

Callum’s gaze swept over Ginnie and Jack. "I’ll give you one last chance. But if you can't cure my horse today, Summers Corp is permanently blacklisted from all my future projects."

He turned and gestured for Nancy and Barry to follow him. The three of them headed toward the health center.

Jack stayed behind, looking pale and drained. It was as if the life had been sucked out of him. Ginnie grabbed his hand, her grip tight. "Jack, we have to clear Dad’s name. It’s all on you now." Her eyes were hard. "I'm going to fix that horse."

Jack turned his head slowly to look at the sister he had always adored. His voice was dry. "I’ve been out of the country on a case. I didn’t know any of this was happening at home." He paused, his eyes searching hers. "About Dad being arrested... do you know anything?"

The words felt heavy in his mouth. Hiring someone for arson was one thing if no one got hurt; a good lawyer could negotiate that down to three to ten years. but solicitation of murder was a different beast entirely. Chandler was his direct relative. If the charges stuck, the police department would likely terminate his contract as an expert consultant. His titles, his reputation and everything would be gone.

No, he told himself. There was no way his father was a murderer.

When Ginnie met Jack’s eyes, her lashes flickered for a fraction of a second before she looked away. She shook her head. "I’ve been so focused on preparing for this treatment that I haven't kept up with anything else. It has to be Nancy’s doing, or someone is framing him."

Ginnie couldn't bring herself to look at him again. She turned quickly. "I'm going to be late for the consultation. I have to go." Without waiting for an answer, she and her team hurried away, almost like they were fleeing.

Jack stood there alone, watching her go. A sudden, crushing wave of exhaustion hit him, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

On the way to the diagnostic center, Barry spoke up casually. "You and this vet Brandon... do you know each other?"

Nancy nodded. "He’s my senior. When I was an exchange student at the Royal Veterinary College during my junior year, he was already finishing his PhD. He was the golden boy of the school."

Barry didn't change his expression. He just gave a short nod.

Nancy glanced at him with a mischievous look. "What? Are you worried I can't compete with him?"

Barry kept walking, eyes forward. "I don't hire people I don't trust."

But he was clearly thinking about something else.

Ginnie’s back started to ache again as she fell behind the group. She watched Nancy and Barry talking and clenched her fists. "Nancy, you’re trying to destroy my family. I’m going to make you pay for this."

...

As Nancy stepped into the Animal Health Center, she blinked at the scene in front of her. The massive facility was packed with several different groups, all armed with professional equipment. It looked like a veterinary convention. There were academic types in white coats, tribal healers in traditional dress, and even a few elderly men with wooden medicine chests who looked like they’d stepped out of an old painting.