Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 31: A Little Mint

A dedicated server led Nancy toward the grand ballroom, thoughtfully taking her medical kit to the cloakroom along the way.

Nancy wore a mint green gown Jacob had picked out on a whim. Her hair was loosely gathered with a single pearl hairpin, and her fair complexion made her round, doe-like eyes seem even more radiant as she glanced around.

Standing there, she looked like a fresh sprig of mint—vibrant, elegant, and full of life.

The moment she stepped into the ballroom, she became the center of attention.

High society was a small world, and many people here recognized her. In the past, the Summers family had always dressed her in drab, conservative outfits paired with heavy, blunt bangs.

Seeing her now, it took the guests a long while to realize who she was.

"Is that... Nancy?"

"Good grief, what is she doing here?"

"Wasn't she kicked out of the Summers family? How did she manage to sneak in?"

"She’s the reason Ginnie’s leg is broken. How does she have the nerve to show up? Is she here to beg the family to take her back?"

Nancy ignored the whispers buzzing around her. She walked straight to the buffet, heading for the desserts, and began eating with the focused intensity of a little hamster.

The catering was top-tier; it would be a shame not to eat her fill.

Just as she was finishing a slice of chocolate mousse, the sound of wheels grinding against the floor cut through the air.

The chatter among the guests shifted instantly.

"Ginnie’s here!"

"Oh no, she’s still in a wheelchair?"

"I hope she won't be stuck in that forever. What a tragedy."

"Nancy is truly wicked. I bet she was just jealous that Ginnie grew up poor yet still turned out more talented than her."

"Exactly. I heard there was an issue with the pet vaccine Nancy was developing, and Ginnie was the one who caught it."

Nancy looked up toward the entrance. A girl with waist-length hair and a cold, refined aura was being pushed into the room.

This was the true heiress of the Summers family, Ginnie.

Seeing her in a wheelchair with her leg in a heavy cast, the crowd was filled with sympathy.

"Ginnie saved the family business by spotting such a huge error the moment she returned. She’s incredible."

"Maybe Nancy pushed her off the stairs to keep her quiet after she found out the vaccine data was faked!"

Ginnie spotted Nancy and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by a gentle, patronizing smile.

"Nancy, I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses," Ginnie said softly. "I saw your live streams the other day. It looks exhausting, having to broadcast even when you're sick."

She maintained a look of saintly magnanimity. "The Summers family is actually very willing to welcome you back. After all, you’ve spent twenty-two years with my parents."

"She probably just realized how hard life is after being kicked out. She knows she messed up," Yolanda chimed in.

Yolanda, who was pushing the wheelchair, looked at Nancy with pure disdain, her chin tilted high. "The dog got hungry, so it came crawling back."

Turning back to Ginnie, her voice became sweet and protective. "Don't you dare forgive her when she apologizes! She broke your leg; the least she can do is beg for your mercy."

Yolanda used to be Nancy’s sidekick—a fair-weather friend who had immediately defected to Ginnie’s side once the truth of their births came out.

Nancy’s peaceful dessert break had been thoroughly ruined. She took a bite of the strawberry from her cake and rolled her eyes at Yolanda.

"Yolanda, I never realized you had such a passion for being a personal maid," Nancy remarked. "First you were carrying my bags, now you're pushing Ginnie’s chair."

Nancy tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Actually, you're right about the 'hungry dog' bit. You described yourself perfectly, circling around your master like that."

A few muffled snickers broke out in the crowd.

Yolanda’s face turned a violent shade of crimson. "Nancy, you—"

Ginnie frowned, intervening at just the right moment. "Nancy, I know you're bitter because I took your place, but please don't take it out on others."

"It’s fine if you don't want to apologize. I’ll still put in a good word for you with Mom and Dad. Family harmony is what matters most. Despite the issues with your vaccine, I still believe in your talent as a top veterinarian."

Ginnie extended a hand toward Nancy. "Come back to the family. Let's work together to make the Summers' pet division the best in the industry."

Seeing how arrogant the 'fake' daughter was acting compared to the grace and vision of the 'true' heiress, the guests began praising Ginnie even louder.

"Wow, she really is the star student of Southville University. Her character is leagues above that petty fraud."

"To grow up poor and still maintain such dignity... a phoenix is always a phoenix."

Nancy looked at Ginnie’s outstretched hand and smiled. She took a few steps forward until she was standing right over her.

Then, she calmly placed her empty cake plate and fork into Ginnie’s hand, crumpled her used napkin on top of it, and wiped her mouth.