Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 334: The Looming Supply Crisis

The blunt-headed snake quickly chimed in. "She’s the real deal. I had one foot in the grave and she pulled me right back out."

The frog listened intently before nervously rubbing its front paws together. "In that case... Doctor, could you take a look at me too? This mud has been making me feel like hell lately."

"Of course," Nancy replied gently. "But if you don't mind, I might need you to come back down the mountain with me for a bit. I need to use some equipment to give you a proper exam."

"Down the mountain?" The frog’s eyes lit up. "I’ve never been down there! I heard there are metal boxes that move on their own and giant mushrooms that glow at night! I'm in. I want to see it!"

It puffed out its cheeks and let out a loud croak. "Consider it done!"

It took off like a green cannonball, vanishing into the brush. It wasn't long before it returned with a few other patients. They were three lethargic toads, their backs covered in nasty red spots.

The frog acted like an enthusiastic tour guide. "This is the doctor! She’s incredible! Even the snakes do what she says!"

These local toads were usually treated as pests or part of the cursed totems in local folklore. Curiously, the three plump toads were struggling to hold up large leaves that were bigger than their own bodies. When they saw Nancy, they collectively ducked behind the leaves, hiding themselves and peeking out with wide, timid eyes.

The frog whispered an explanation. "Every time humans come up the mountain, they scream ugly toad and say all kinds of nasty things. They've heard it so many times they started hiding under leaves whenever they see someone."

The little guys were a bit clumsy. They had rough skin, bulging eyes, and slow reactions. But they were gentle, honest creatures. When they were bullied, they just sat there, rubbing their eyes with their paws and curling into a ball, hoping the world would just go away. They only secreted toxins as a last resort to protect themselves. In reality, a single toad could quietly eat over ten thousand pests a year.

Nancy looked at the three leaf-piles huddled together. Seeing them try so hard to hide because they thought they were ugly made her heart ache.

"It’s okay," Nancy said softly. "I don't care about looks. I only care about making you feel better."

To me, every one of you is a good, hardworking little treasure.

As she spoke, the leaves rustled. The three toads slowly lowered their shields, revealing their pouting, chubby faces. "We’re just so itchy..."

"Leave it to me!" Nancy promised.

Including the frog, the four patients lined up and hopped into Nancy’s travel tank. By the time she made it back to the Loren Zoo, the sun was beginning to set.

Nancy worked through the night to compile a rigorous report. She documented the clinical symptoms, the preliminary cause of illness, and the samples of contaminated silt she had collected from Sanction Peaks. She formally submitted everything to the forestry department.

The department took the matter seriously. The official in charge, Fern, contacted her immediately after a preliminary review.

"This is a rare situation. It’s the first time we’ve recorded cases like this. We can't rule out a new, undocumented pathogen."

Fern informed Nancy that the department had decided to mobilize a team of top biologists to conduct a full investigation of Sanction Peaks. "When the time comes, we’ll need you there as our specialist to help the team assess and restore the ecosystem."

"No problem," Nancy agreed.

From the conversation, she gathered that the forestry department was likely going to implement a total lockdown of Sanction Peaks for ecological restoration. This would involve a deep purification of the soil and water.

This meant that shortly after Summers Corp launched their high-end new dog food, the supply of their core ingredient would be completely cut off due to the mountain’s closure. The entire product line would collapse.

Summers Corp remained completely oblivious. With the formulas Nancy had provided, their new product development was moving at record speed. Meanwhile, Nancy was already working behind the scenes to buy up every bit of the existing algae stock on the market.

Back in Lindtsville, Nancy had used an Abyssinian cat to solve the poisoning case at the Woods estate, clearing the name of Jose, the chairman of Garuda Corp. Jose now viewed Nancy as a major asset. To sweep the market of the algae supply, Nancy was using Jose’s extensive procurement channels.