Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 312: Playing The Part

The classic corporate hustle.

Nancy's first move was to shut her down, but as soon as Ginnie brought up Yvonne, something clicked.

A plan started to take shape.

Nancy let her voice shift, sounding a little shaky and hopeful, like she was actually buying it. "Aunt Yvonne... she really doesn't care that I'm not her real niece?"

If they wanted an actress, she could play the role.

Ginnie hesitated for a second, then jumped on it like it was a lifeline. Her tone turned into a total suck-up.

"I'm serious! She loves your work. She actually tore into me for being shortsighted. I'm so sorry, Nancy. I really am. I shouldn't have let my jealousy get to me. I was being an idiot."

Hearing Ginnie scramble to apologize, Nancy felt a cold, sharp smile hit her face.

Did these people really think that just because the patriarch was dead that they were in the clear?

Nancy let her voice trail off with a bit of fake longing. "I've always loved the research side of this. I always wanted to make something that actually changed the industry. I didn't realize Aunt Yvonne felt that way about me. She was always so good to me when I was a kid."

She cut herself off like she'd said too much. "I'll give you one shot. But after what you did, the trust is gone. I'm doing this for her, not for you. This doesn't mean I've moved on."

Nancy kept her voice hard. "I'm not just going to forget what happened."

Ginnie sounded completely defeated on the other end. "I know. I'm so sorry."

"Five million for the consulting fee, plus a cut of the total sales," Nancy said, cutting through the bullshit. "And during the R&D, you do exactly what I say. No arguments. Can you do that?"

Ginnie barely hesitated. "Deal!"

Agreeing that fast? Something was definitely up.

Nancy's eyes turned cold, but her voice stayed flat. "Fine. Next Wednesday at the Summers Corp building. We'll talk details."

She added a casual afterthought. "By the way, send over the dog food proposal you've got now."

After the call ended, Ginnie added her on WhatsApp and sent the file immediately. She even tacked on a "Looking forward to working with you!"

Nancy looked at the notification and let out a dry laugh.

Looking forward my ass!

She definitely was. Use their money to build her own team, then use that team to burn them down. There was no partnership better than that.

...

It was late by the time they got back to the city.

The Loren Zoo was silent under the moon. Nancy was yawning every five seconds, feeling completely drained.

The last two days felt like a fever dream. Mountains, cliffs, playing mind games. If the takins hadn't been there to carry her over those ridges, her energy would've bottomed out miles ago.

Simon, though, looked like he was made of steel. He was still wide awake. He moved fast, getting the animals out of the crates and settled in.

"Nancy." Simon grabbed a bunch of medicine from the car and shoved it into her hands. "You're running on empty. You're going to get sick if you don't watch it. Take these now."

Before she could argue, he pressed a wooden card into her palm.

"This is for the clinic on the next street over," he said. "The guys at the station go there for therapy. It's a good spot. Go tomorrow for a checkup to get the cold out of your bones, then get a massage to loosen up."

Nancy was so tired she was practically leaning on him. She gripped the medicine and the card like a koala. "I know, I know. I'm not a total weakling."

Simon saw the dark circles under her eyes and sighed, his voice softening. "Just listen for once. Go home and sleep. Don't worry about anything for a few days."

His phone buzzed in his pocket, killing the quiet. He answered, his tone going sharp and professional. "Sam, I'm on my way."

He hung up and ruffled her messy hair. "Nancy, I have to go."

"Mhm. Night." Nancy's head bobbed as she answered on instinct.

"Meow."

The tabby king looked up at Simon. "I'll make sure she gets to the dorms safely."

Simon tapped the tip of the cat's ear. "Thanks."

The tabby walked right beside Nancy, acting like her personal guard as she stumbled back.