Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 30: The Villa Appointment

Nancy hurried to deny it. "Of course not! How could I forget something as big as a ten-million reward?"

"I just wanted to swing by the dorm first to drop off my things, then I was going to grab a ride over."

Today she was supposed to examine a wealthy tycoon’s wolfdog at Critters Villa.

Jacob grumbled, "You should’ve just called me. I’ll pick you up at Loren Zoo’s gate. Get yourself ready."

Nancy agreed quickly. "Alright, no problem!"

After the call, the Squirrel Bros scrambled down from the trees to her side.

The younger one blinked wide, pleading eyes. "Ms. Nancy, are you heading out?"

The older one simply demanded openly. "Can you bring us along? We would love to join in the fun. I heard that you're going to Critters Villa, it sounds pretty fun…"

Nancy thought it over and nodded. In unfamiliar territory, it was good to have her "own people" along.

She found an unused pet carrier in the zoo’s storage room. The Squirrel Bros eagerly lined up and hopped inside.

Twenty minutes later, a flashy red Ferrari screeched to a stop outside Loren Zoo.

The window rolled down, and Jacob, blond hair gleaming, pulled off his sunglasses. His eyes nearly bulged. "Ms. Nancy, you’re wearing that to the villa?"

Nancy was still stunned by his showiness. Then she glanced down at her zookeeper uniform, the carrier in one hand, the vet’s kit slung across her shoulder. "What’s wrong with it?"

Jacob’s temple twitched. "Didn’t I tell you to dress formally?"

Nancy pointed at the stethoscope around her neck. "This is very formal. Very professional. One look and anyone knows I’m here for medical work. What, does a vet have to be bald before people take them seriously?"

Jacob groaned. "Today is Mr. Goodman’s birthday banquet. That’s the only reason his wolfdog will even be here. And you… forget it, just get in the car."

Feeling awkward, Nancy climbed into the backseat.

The red Ferrari tore down the road but didn’t head straight for Critters Villa. Instead, Jacob stopped in front of a sleek standalone building.

It looked like an art studio mixed with a private club.

Apparently, Jacob owned the place. He waved once, and eight or nine staff swarmed Nancy with incredible efficiency.

In less than an hour, she was transformed.

When she slid back into the car, now dressed in an evening gown with a delicate diamond pendant around her neck, she felt like she was dreaming.

She had assumed Jacob was just another spoiled rich kid, but it turned out he owned his own styling studio.

Feeding snacks from the studio to the squirrels in the carrier, Nancy reminded them to stay quiet. The younger one nibbled softly, obediently quiet.

The younger squirrel said, "Oh wow, that smells really good!"

The older squirrel pinched his brother and said, "Shuush! Zip it!"

From the rearview mirror, Jacob noticed the carrier. "What’ve you got in there?"

"My assistants—two squirrels. They heard I was coming to Critters Villa. With a name like that, they thought it’d be full of pine trees and cones. They begged to come along. They’ll behave, don’t worry."

Jacob waved it off. "You saved my life. Don’t sweat it. Bring squirrels, pigs—hell, you could haul a cow in my Ferrari and I wouldn’t care."

Nancy chuckled. "That’s generous."

Critters Villa sat on a mountain outside the city. Jacob’s driving was fine on straight roads, but on winding mountain paths he sped like a maniac. Nancy was tossed around until she nearly lost her stomach.

When the villa came into view, she pounded on the door. "Stop the car! Let me walk the rest. I need to breathe."

One look at her pale face and Jacob slammed the brakes. "Good God!"

Nancy tumbled out, still managing to grab her squirrel carrier.

Jacob slowed down, ready to trail her carefully—but his phone rang.

A stern male voice barked from the other end, "Where the hell are you? Get over here now!"

Jacob glanced at Nancy, worried. She waved him off. "Go on. You’ve got things to do. I’ll be fine. Trust me, with all the animals here, I’ll probably get along better than you."

Jacob laughed helplessly. "Alright. Just be careful. Head straight to the main banquet hall when you get there, and don’t wander."

Nancy pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady herself. "I know, I know."

She walked the rest of the way to Critters Villa’s gate, feeling her strength return.

At the bushes near the entrance, she opened the carrier. The Squirrel Bros darted out, thrilled by the towering pine trees.

"Ms. Nancy, we'll be having fun on our own here, we might run into more friends here!"

Nancy smiled as they scampered into the villa grounds.

Then she walked up to the gates and presented her invitation to the guards.