Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 322: The Expert Fee

Barry’s order was calm and natural, leaving no room for question.

The doctor froze for a second before stepping forward with a respectful lead. "Ms. Nancy, the emergency prep room is this way. Please follow me."

Nancy nodded and hurried after him, the pipe snake still in her arms.

As she brushed past Barry, she heard him lower his voice. His cool tone carried a rare trace of warmth. "Don't rush. If you need anything, just say the word."

The tension that had kept Nancy’s nerves frayed snapped instantly. She felt a flicker in her chest and managed a quick thank you before disappearing into the treatment room.

After a frantic period of work, the snake’s condition finally stabilized. It lay there quietly, hooked up to the oxygen. Nancy let out a long breath, her shoulders finally dropping from their defensive hunch.

A nurse nearby spoke up kindly. "Ms. Nancy, Mr. Barry asked us to remind you to get your checkup once you're finished here. Don't worry, we'll look after the snake."

Nancy thanked her and stepped out of the small operating room. Just as she did, she saw the emergency gurney being wheeled out from the trauma bay.

Jeremy’s father looked much better. His color had returned, and his breathing was steady as they moved him toward a general ward. He was clearly out of the woods.

The female doctor who had defended Nancy earlier was currently going over post-op instructions with Jeremy. The second the boy looked up, his eyes met Nancy’s.

His face went white. The arrogance from before was completely gone, replaced by raw embarrassment and disbelief.

The doctor’s face lit up when she saw Nancy. "Nancy! Thank you so much. Your information was a lifesaver. It put us miles ahead of the blood work. Once we confirmed it was acute shock from ragweed pollen, we adjusted the treatment immediately. The rescue went perfectly."

Jeremy stood there like a statue, staring at the floor, wishing he could just vanish.

Nancy was wondering why the doctor was being so friendly until she caught a glimpse of her badge. It read, "Amanda Goodman, Director of Cardiology and Pulmonology."

Noticing Nancy's confusion, Amanda smiled. "I'm Barry’s cousin. I run the cardio-pulm center here." Her tone was crisp and professional. "Barry has mentioned you quite a bit. It’s good to finally meet you."

Nancy realized the connection and nodded politely. "Hello, Amanda. Thank you for saving the patient."

Jeremy, who was trying his best to go unnoticed, flinched when Amanda called him out. "Jeremy, come here. You really owe Nancy an apology. If she hadn't identified the allergen immediately, your father wouldn't be doing nearly this well."

Nancy caught Jeremy’s eye out of the corner of her vision. "I remember someone saying that if I saved his dad, he’d get on his knees right here."

Jeremy’s face turned a violent shade of red. He was paralyzed with shame. He clenched his fists and forced a single word through his teeth.

"...Fine."

Nancy crossed her arms, looking him up and down with cold indifference. "You aren't even worthy. Go find a spot at the back of the reincarnation line. Once you've come back with a functioning brain, you can ask me if I'm willing to waste my time on you."

The insult cut deep. Jeremy had been raised as the center of the universe. He had never been talked to like this in his life. The veins in his forehead bulged as he pointed a trembling finger at her, but he couldn't find a single word to fire back.

Nancy didn't give him the chance. She pulled out her phone and pulled up a QR code for a payment transfer, thrusting it in front of his face. "Enough of that. As an expert veterinarian and animal communication consultant, my fee is billed by the minute. Between the oxygen, the meds, the supplies for the snake, and my own mental distress, it’s time to settle up."

She paused, then added with a mock sense of charity, "Since you’ve had a rough day, I’ll give you a discount and round it off. One hundred thousand. I hear the McKinley family is a big deal, surely you aren't too broke to pay for your own mess?"

"You...!" Jeremy’s vision went dark with rage. "I'm not a deadbeat!"

He fumed as he scanned the code and sent over the hundred thousand. His father kept him on a tight leash, and that was basically his entire monthly allowance.

Jeremy hated his own big mouth. Once the transfer went through, he practically bolted for the exit before Nancy could find anything else to charge him for.

Nancy beamed as she saw the notification. Someone else was picking up the tab to get the little snake back home.

Realizing Amanda was still standing there, Nancy quickly dropped her aggressive act. She rubbed her nose sheepishly. "Sorry about that. I can be a bit blunt when I'm annoyed."

Amanda’s eyes danced with amusement. "Don't worry about it. Our family likes people with a bit of spine."

After saying goodbye to Amanda, Nancy followed a nurse to the third floor.

Barry was already waiting in the examination room. The white coat made him look even taller, his presence a mix of cold professionalism and quiet intensity.