Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 84: The Strategic Contract

"Furthermore, Star’s health directly impacts Barry’s mental state," Jorgan continued smoothly. "This isn't a one-sided agreement, either. You will receive a twenty-thousand-dollar bonus for every pound gained and three thousand dollars for every thirty minutes of exercise."

Nancy blinked, wondering if she had misheard the numbers.

Barry tapped his fingers on the table. "Add one more clause. Barring exceptional circumstances, every meal must be a nutritional plan provided by the Goodman Corp Hospital. Every meal must last at least twenty minutes. No bolting your food."

Jorgan added the terms immediately.

Nancy scratched her head. Jorgan’s logic actually felt flawless in a strange way—her health equaled Star’s health, which equaled Barry’s mental health, which equaled world peace?

"I guess that makes sense..." she muttered.

Still, something felt off. It felt like a set of Russian nesting dolls, and somehow she was the one being trapped in the smallest one.

However, since there were no clauses that actually disadvantaged her, she didn't overthink it. She picked up the pen and signed her name with a flourish.

The emergency with Silver Blade the night before had made her realize she needed her own veterinary hospital at the zoo, complete with professional medical equipment and a dedicated team. That required a massive amount of capital.

Once the contracts were signed, Barry had to leave for a meeting. Since he needed Star by his side, the wolfdog had to go to work with him. Nancy watched as Star was led away, sporting an expression of utter despair—he looked exactly like a corporate drone being dragged back to the office for overtime.

Nancy didn't stay idle for long. She headed to the Wetlands Pavilion, where the keepers were already lined up with travel carriers.

During her late-night walk with Mist, Nancy had already surveyed the reptiles and tallied up a list of volunteers willing to serve as "coaches." Most of the carriers held eager snakes, along with a few aquatic specialists.

The most imposing piece of equipment was a large, rectangular glass tank. Inside, a crocodile was currently busy snapping up small fish.

Nancy announced that this crocodile would be the head coach for today’s pre-competition intensive training. She frowned, looking at the creature, a saltwater crocodile named "The Glutton."

"Glutton, why are you eating again?" Nancy tapped on the glass as a warning. "Didn't the keeper just brush your teeth? What if your breath stinks and you offend our national athletes?"

The crocodile stopped mid-snap, looking sheepish. "How do you expect me to chase people around with an empty stomach, kid?"

Nancy rubbed her temples. The snake wasn't wrong, but this guy had just polished off a bucket of salmon thirty minutes ago. His name was certainly well-deserved.

The swimming base was desperate for the animal coaches' help and had already made the arrangements. A specialized transport vehicle was waiting at the zoo gates. Nancy hopped into the passenger seat and set off for the swimming base with her team of animal instructors.

An hour later, at the swimming base.

The swimmers had finished their warm-ups and morning drills. They stood by the pool, their hearts racing with a mix of anxiety and excitement. After seeing Gabriel’s explosive performance the day before, they were all eager to test their own potential.

Gabriel was the oldest member, and if he could find that kind of speed, what could they do? It was a paradox of fear and anticipation.

The room went silent as a slender silhouette appeared in the doorway, framed by the morning light.

Nancy walked in with a bright smile. "Good morning, everyone! Today’s serpent coaches have all passed their health checks, are parasite-free, and have been freshly bathed. You’re all clear for some close-contact training!"

Nancy began introducing the day's staff. "First up, we have our Rhabdophis coach!"

The lid of a carrier opened, and a greenish snake with a red-patterned neck poked its head out, flickering its tongue.

"And here is our King Cobra coach!"

The cobra flared its hood and lunged forward with a sharp hiss, sending a collective shiver through the swimmers. Even Ryan couldn't help but grab the assistant coach’s arm.

"And this is our Many-banded Krait war-god!"

The krait reared up and began a swaying, hypnotic dance that felt strangely ominous.

As the various venomous snakes emerged with their own "heroic" entrance animations, one swimmer shrunk back, looking like he was on the verge of tears. "Suddenly, that pit viper from yesterday looks positively adorable."

Mist chose that exact moment to slink over and coil herself around the man’s ankle. "Are you talking about me, sir?"

"Mommy!"

The swimmer froze, holding his breath and resisting the urge to shake her off. He was terrified that if he flung the "coach" across the room, he’d be charged with assaulting an official instructor.

Nancy quickly scooped Mist back up. "No scaring the students!"

While everyone else was trembling, Jonas looked at the snakes and scratched his head. "I used to see these kinds of snakes by the water when I was a kid. I’m actually starting to get used to them."