Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 78: The Art Of Seduction

After Ryan left, Jorgan lingered on the second-floor viewing gallery, his gaze fixed on Nancy, who was surrounded by the boisterous members of the swim team.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses thoughtfully and pulled out his phone.

"Sir, I happened to run into Miss Nancy at the swimming base."

Jorgan tapped the screen to attach a photo. "Should I reach out to her again regarding Star’s treatment?"

In an expansive riverside penthouse with the best view in Townsville.

Barry was sprawled across the bed, caught in the haze of a shallow sleep. He had just returned from an overseas business trip and was struggling to adjust to the time difference.

Star, the Wolfdog, sat beside him. His tail swept back and forth rhythmically as his large, watery eyes remained fixed on Barry, clearly calculating something. If Barry had opened his eyes at that moment, he would have recognized the look instantly—it was the precursor to Star getting into trouble.

But today, Barry was out cold.

A few minutes later, the setting sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft, golden glow across the bedroom.

Barry slowly opened his eyes. The collar of his black silk pajamas was slightly open, revealing the sharp lines of his collarbone. He propped himself up lazily, his voice low and raspy with lingering sleep. "Mm... what time is it?"

Star’s ears perked up immediately. He lay down obediently by the bed and gently nudged his master’s hand with his wet nose.

Barry ran his long fingers through the dog’s soft fur and let out a soft chuckle. "So quiet today?"

It was rare for Star to be this calm while Barry was trying to sleep off jet lag. Barry rubbed the dog’s head, his tone surprisingly relaxed. "Doesn't seem like you... usually, you’re barking the house down to go see Dr. Nancy the second I’m awake."

At the mention of "Dr. Nancy," Star immediately lost his composure and lunged at Barry, licking him enthusiastically.

Barry pushed him away with a look of mock disgust. "You have no pride."

Ding.

His phone chimed with a notification.

Barry lazily swiped it open, and the photo Jorgan had sent filled the screen.

Nancy was at the center of a crowd of shirtless swimmers, like a star surrounded by her fans. The water droplets glistening on the athletes' toned abs and their bright, youthful smiles made him squint.

"Tch."

He let out a short, cold huff and absentmindedly ruffled Star’s head. "Dr. Nancy certainly knows how to enjoy herself."

Star began wagging his tail frantically, his paws scratching at the phone screen.

Barry arched an eyebrow and slowly zoomed in on the photo. "What’s the rush? She’s surrounded by hunk after hunk right now. You think she still remembers a silly dog like you?"

Star stomped his paws in frustration before suddenly pouncing on Barry, pinning him to the bed. He grabbed the hem of Barry’s pajama top with his teeth and pulled it up, his paw proudly thumping against Barry’s own abs.

"Woof!"

The dog then pointed a paw accurately at the group of swimmers in the photo, his tail spinning like a propeller.

Barry’s face turned as black as soot. "You’re telling me to go seduce her?"

Star nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming with a sudden, mischievous intelligence. "Come on, your body is way better looking than them! And besides, you're way richer than them too! You'd win in a heartbeat! Look, just shoot me a glance and I'll kick them in the pool!"

Star’s eyes narrowed into a fierce look of "tough love."

Though Barry couldn't understand the dog’s language, one look at that winking, expressive face told him the dog was up to no good. He reached out and flicked Star on the forehead.

"Feeling bold, are we?"

He laughed out of pure irritation, his long fingers catching the dog’s muzzle. "Do I really need to sell my looks to get what I want?"

Barry grabbed his phone and sent a voice note to Jorgan: "Don't report anything else regarding Nancy from now on."

With that, he tossed the phone aside and rolled over to go back to sleep.

But his rest was far from peaceful.

In the middle of the night.

A crack of thunder tore through the sky, the booming roar jolting Barry awake instantly. Five years ago, on a rainy night just like this, insurgents had bombed the war-torn region where he had been providing aid.

Barry sat up abruptly. By the flash of lightning, he saw Star curled up in the corner of the living room.

The usually majestic wolfdog was trembling, his fur standing on end and his teeth chattering as he let out broken whimpers. The eyes that were usually full of life were now filled with sheer terror.

Seeing Star suffer through a PTSD episode always felt like a knife twisting in Barry’s heart.

His fingers tightened into a fist before relaxing. Barry took a deep breath and grabbed his phone. "Jack, get the car ready immediately."

His voice was hoarse and strained. "We’re going to the Loren Zoo. Now!"

The moment Barry turned away to grab his coat, Star’s tail gave a tiny, secret wag before he quickly resumed his "shaking with fear" act.

Loren Zoo.

Nancy had returned triumphant with Mist in tow.

They had joined the swim team for a lavish seafood buffet tonight. Though the athletes were quite disciplined, sticking to vegetables and high-protein shrimp, Nancy and Mist had no such restrictions. Both human and snake were now quite full, and Ryan had even sent her home with two large bags of snacks.

A sudden downpour had started outside. Nancy was currently taking a stroll under the giraffe’s shelter to help her digestion, listening to her "gossip buddy," the giraffe, spill all the drama that had happened in the park that day.