Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 59: The Smear Campaign

But because he was completely unreachable, Jonas had missed both his mandatory training and the sponsorship event without any notice.

In the wake of his sudden disappearance, rumors had begun to flood the internet, with everyone offering a different theory.

The most widely circulated claim was that the rising butterfly star was embroiled in a messy "sugar baby" scandal.

This speculation stemmed from paparazzi photos taken two days prior, showing a visibly panicked Jonas fleeing out the back exit of a high-end sports club. Immediately following him was a woman wearing dark sunglasses and carrying a luxury designer handbag.

The woman’s face was obscured, but Jonas’s identity was unmistakable.

According to the reports, this exclusive sports club required an asset verification of over fifty million dollars just to join. The comments section was rife with people assuming Jonas had hooked up with a wealthy socialite and landed himself in trouble.

"Is it even a question? He’s clearly off enjoying himself with some rich lady. With that body and face, he’s a total lapdog; it would be a waste not to find a sugar mommy."

"What 'missing'? Give me a break. Her husband probably caught him and is looking for revenge, so the boy is hiding out like a coward."

"Where is his sense of responsibility? The country spent so much money training him, and he pulls a vanishing act right before a major competition."

"Why hasn't the team clarified anything? The longer they stay silent, the guiltier they look. I’m waiting for the hammer to drop."

Nancy frowned as she read the baseless accusations. A kind, hardworking genius who was striving to bring glory to his country was being reduced to a greedy, selfish "lapdog" by these people.

Her eyes settled on the paparazzi photo, and she turned to Ryan. "Coach, why was Jonas at this high-end sports club? Was it for a brand partnership?"

Ryan nodded vigorously. "Jonas was invited there to record a series of public interest swimming courses." He knit his brows in confusion. "As for why he looked panicked leaving the back door, I honestly don't know."

Nancy had a gut feeling that Jonas's disappearance was linked to that specific photo.

Ryan’s eyes turned red, his voice raspy but firm. "That boy's greatest dream is to win a world-class gold medal. He wants to use the prize money to take his father to a top hospital in the capital to treat his silicosis..."

Jonas’s teammates were equally incensed.

"Jonas trained until the skin on his fingers was raw. There is no way he would voluntarily abandon a race!"

"The things people are saying online... it's an insult to an athlete's dignity!"

Nancy clenched her fists. She had to find Jonas, uncover the truth, and clear his name.

When the swimmers heard Nancy was a detective sent by the police, they swarmed around her like she was their last hope.

"Please, you have to find him!" a tall teammate said, his eyes rimmed with red. "He isn't just our best hope for the individual butterfly gold; he’s the key to our relay medal!"

Another teammate paced nervously. "Jonas never disappears without a reason. He must be in danger!"

The youngest member of the team stepped forward, his voice trembling but determined. "If you can bring Jonas back safe, I... I’m willing to give you all my prize money and stipends from this World Championship!"

The others chimed in immediately.

"Me too!"

"Count me in!"

Nancy was taken by the group's desperation. "That’s not necessary. The police department pays me a bonus for my work."

At that moment, Ryan slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory! If you find Jonas in time, the swimming association will personally reward you with 200,000 dollars."

"Plus, we'll provide VIP tickets to every major sporting event," he added.

One of the star swimmers chimed in, "Detective, I heard you own a zoo. We'd be happy to film promotional videos and advertisements for your park!"

Nancy’s eyes lit up. Ginnie was using her to drive traffic to Cuties Petting Zoo; Nancy desperately needed some high-profile exposure to reclaim the reputation of Loren Zoo!

Just then, the younger squirrel brother came hopping back. He stood with his paws on his hips, looking quite smug.

"I found a witness! His name is Gray, but he's a little shy. But we're friends now!"

Nancy praised him, "Look at you! My little squirrel friend is a regular social butterfly!"

The squirrel puffed out his chest. "Of course! I have plenty of friends after all! He's hiding in the hedges right now. I'll take you to him."

"Let's go!" Nancy said, her excitement building.

The older squirrel brother led Nancy to a section of the greenery where a plump grey rat was curled up among the branches of a shrub. It looked well-fed, clearly a local with a good food source.

Nancy pulled out some biscuit crumbs and scattered them before it. "Gray, can you tell me what you saw last night?"

Gray’s nose twitched as he sniffed the crumbs. "Whoa, that smells really good!"

He began stuffing the crumbs into his cheeks with his tiny paws, but halfway through, he remembered he was being paid for a job. He tapped a pink claw on the photo of Jonas.

"I was digging through the trash at the swimming pool yesterday, and I heard that he received a phone call. Gray squeaked after a loud burp. "He said, How could they be in critical condition all of a sudden? Hold on, I'm coming right now!"