Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 415: The Front Line

"Oh no!" Nancy cried out, lunging forward to catch him.

Luckily, Bobby’s massive tail saved the day. He gave it a frantic flick in mid-air, using it like a parachute to slow his descent. With a soft thump, he landed safely in a patch of thick, springy bushes, leaving only a dazed little head peeking out from the leaves.

"That... was a heart attack and a half," Bobby panted, patting his chest with a trembling paw. "I almost became roadkill."

Nancy let out a breath of relief. "Bobby, you really need to start a diet with Chunk!"

It was a good thing squirrels had those tails to help them balance and steer. In a crisis, they were life-saving parachutes; in the winter, they were built-in blankets.

Watching the bustling life of the zoo, Nancy felt a wave of warmth settle in her chest. As she started packing her bags, she made an announcement to the various animals gathered around.

"Alright, everyone, listen up. Get ready, because in two days, we are all heading to Bellwood for work! I am taking you to see the world and meet the rest of the country's elite!"

Three days later, Nancy and Simon arrived in Bellwood. The animals followed shortly after, transported in a specialized vehicle. The organizers had been incredibly thorough, reserving a luxury suite right next to Nancy’s room specifically for the animals. The little guys were officially getting the VIP treatment.

Once they were settled, Nancy’s first stop was the Bellwood Zoo to finally cross seeing the giant pandas off her bucket list.

She was finishing a meal at the park restaurant when an uninvited guest appeared. Anders Summers, the youngest son of the Summers family and Yvonne’s brother, walked straight to her table.

"Getting an audience with you is not easy these days, Nancy."

Anders spoke with a forced, practiced familiarity, moving to take the seat opposite her. Before he could sit, the guard standing nearby stepped forward. With a sharp, disciplined movement, the guard’s arm blocked his path, keeping him at a firm distance.

Anders was caught off guard, staring at the trained officer in shock before turning back to Nancy. His voice was thick with disbelief. "Nancy, are you serious? You are actually traveling with private security now?"

Nancy set her fork down slowly and looked at him with a cold, level gaze. "Mr. Summers, say what you came to say."

He winced at the formal title. He tried to force a stiff smile. "Come on, now. You can just call me Uncle Anders. There is no need to be so distant."

"I am not interested in playing family." Nancy glanced at him, already knowing exactly why he was there. "We aren't that close."

Her bluntness left him stunned. He could not understand why she was so openly hostile when they had never had a direct conflict. He suppressed his irritation and put on his most sincere face.

"Nancy, you have it all wrong. I am not here to cause trouble. I am not like Chandler. I know how to appreciate talent."

He laid out his carefully prepared terms. "We are prepared to set up an independent subsidiary for you. You would hold a fifty-one percent stake. We will build variety shows around your animals, develop your brand, and even launch a comic series. Every resource we have will be at your disposal."

"And the catch?" Nancy asked. Her voice was flat and clinical.

"It is simple," Anders said, his confidence returning. "You just need to issue a statement. Clarify the situation with the Dessert Route crew. Tell the public it was all just a misunderstanding and that both sides have reached a friendly resolution. Your show, Sanddune, already has all the hype it needs. Why keep holding a grudge?"

Nancy let out a short, mirthless laugh. "I am not like you. I don't make a habit of lying through my teeth or burying my conscience for a check."

"You might not care about the money," Anders countered, finally playing his hand, "but you surely care about Simon’s future."

At the mention of Simon, a flicker of emotion crossed Nancy’s eyes. Anders caught it instantly.

He pressed his advantage, his voice dripping with confidence. "The Summers family can give Simon the push he needs. We can have him transferred to a core position here in Bellwood. With us smoothing the way, his career would be on the fast track to the top."

Nancy’s lips curled into a shallow, certain smile. "My brother's future is not yours to touch. He has the talent to reach the top on his own."

Her gaze sharpened, cutting through him like a blade. "Collaboration? I will give you a collaboration. I am going to take Neo Summers Corp’s entire market share and burn it to the ground."

Anders stared at her for a moment before bursting into a condescending laugh. "With what? You think a little viral web drama gives you the power to shake a titan like Neo Summers? We have been rooted in this industry for decades, little girl. You are dreaming."