The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 100

**Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**

**Chapter 100**

James adjusted his glasses, the lenses catching the soft glow of the overhead lights as he cleared his throat, a nervous habit that had become second nature. “Ms. Summer, allow me to clarify,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. “Shadow was determined to come over this afternoon—he was quite eager to meet the newborn cub at the Leopard Den.”

Nina’s mind raced back to that moment. *Oh, right,* she mused, recalling how Shadow had been utterly captivated by the tiny, fluffy leopard when it had first arrived. The way his tail had wagged excitedly as he peered through the incubator had been nothing short of heartwarming.

That very night, she had leaned down to Shadow, a smile on her face, and told him that if he took a liking to the cub, he was welcome to visit anytime to play and watch it grow. It had been an innocent promise, one that she hoped would bring joy to both of them.

Despite the fact that the leopards at the zoo never had to worry about food or shelter, Nina knew they could still experience bouts of moodiness and even depression. Life behind bars, devoid of the wild’s challenges and playful adventures, could lead to boredom and anxiety. She often found herself reflecting on the signs of unhappiness—pacing back and forth, a classic behavior of discontent.

To combat this, many zoos had devised an utterly delightful solution: every snow leopard was paired with its very own comfort dog. These specially trained pups were not only adorable but also incredibly intelligent and quick learners. They became the perfect companions, helping the leopards adjust to their new lives and ensuring there was never a dull moment. Always ready for a game or a wild romp, these dogs could effortlessly coax out the playful spirit in the snow leopards.

Before long, the two little friends had formed an inseparable bond, sharing naps, grooming each other, and engaging in endless playful antics. This unique friendship didn’t just alleviate the leopards’ stress; it contributed to their overall happiness and health, both physically and emotionally.

Yet, despite this heartwarming scene, Nina found herself puzzled. *Okay, so the dog and the snow leopard are buddies, but how on earth does Quentin end up bottle-feeding the little cub because of that?* she pondered, a frown creasing her brow.

“So Shadow came to play with the cub. And then what happened?” Nina pressed, her curiosity piqued.

James continued, “Well, the little cub just latched onto Mr. Hayes and wouldn’t let go—literally glued to his pant leg the entire time. The keeper surmised it was likely because Mr. Hayes was the one who helped deliver the cub that night. The very first scent it ever recognized was his, which explains the intense attachment.”

At that moment, the keeper rushed over, relief etched on his face. “Ms. Summer, thank goodness you’re back! Can you please talk to the little snow leopard and see if you can get it to stop clinging to Mr. Hayes? I’ve been trying to feed it formula all day, but it won’t drink a drop. Unless Quentin feeds it himself, it just refuses. We can’t allow it to get spoiled like this!”

Nina’s mind raced as she absorbed this information. It suddenly clicked. The snow leopard mother had endured a difficult delivery and had been in recovery mode ever since, barely able to spend any time with her cub. *Wait, is the little snow leopard seriously treating Quentin like its mommy now?* she thought, a mix of amusement and disbelief washing over her. Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter.

When Nina looked up, she was met with Quentin’s piercing gaze, his eyes flashing with irritation. He shot her an exasperated glare, clearly annoyed. “Do you even realize what time it is? I was beginning to think you weren’t coming home,” he grumbled, his tone heavy with frustration.

James, who had been struggling to maintain his composure, nearly lost it. His shoulders shook as he turned away, desperately trying to hide his laughter. With Quentin holding that bottle, he resembled a grumpy father stuck babysitting, grumbling about his runaway wife. The scene was utterly priceless—so hilarious and unexpected that it left James in stitches.

*Man, I really wish I could secretly film this and drop it into our office group chat!* James thought, barely managing to suppress his giggles.

While James hesitated, Nina seized the moment without a second thought. She whipped out her phone, grinning as she began filming Quentin feeding the little snow leopard, her laughter bubbling over.

“Oops, my bad! Had a massive case to solve today and ended up clocking some overtime,” Nina said, her voice playful as she feigned an apology.

“Mr. Hayes, you’re always swamped, but I’m not lounging around either. I’m literally running between the station and the zoo, juggling two jobs at once!” she added, her tone light.

Though she tried to sound tough, her face betrayed her; she was reveling in the sight of Quentin being playfully roasted by the cub.

Quentin’s expression was stormy enough to scare off the cub itself. “Stop laughing. Stop filming. Are you seriously just going to stand there, or will you come get this little velcro baby off of me?” he snapped, his frustration palpable.

Nina noticed that despite his grumbling, Quentin was holding the cub with a surprising finesse—he must have picked up some expert tips from the keeper. This only made her laughter erupt anew as she strolled over, taking her sweet time. “Coming,” she called, a teasing lilt in her voice.

Quentin shot her a frosty glare. “Delete that video you just took.”

Nina blinked innocently, a smirk playing on her lips. “Not a chance. That’s perfect blackmail material—I’m keeping it for when I need leverage!”

Quentin’s glare intensified, a warning in his eyes. “If that video ever gets out, I’m not paying the rest for Shadow’s treatment.”

Nina giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Shadow’s therapy has only just begun. So what if you skip paying up? It’s not like it’s the end of the world.”

Quentin froze, something stormy flickering in his eyes. He couldn’t help but lower his voice, almost vulnerable. “How did you even figure out that I…”

Nina met his gaze, her tone gentle but unwavering. “Shadow’s not just any dog—he was your battle buddy, right there with you in the thick of it. And now, you’re at the point where you can’t sleep at all unless he’s right beside you. It’s kind of like how the snow leopards need a comfort dog. In a way, Shadow is your comfort dog too—having him around is the only time you really feel at ease.”

As she spoke, Nina observed Quentin’s tense profile, her gaze softening with understanding. *It really wasn’t any mystery,* she thought. Jason had mentioned how Quentin’s stepmom had completely betrayed him right after graduation, sending him overseas—straight into a war zone where chaos was the norm.

Going from the tranquility of university life to the madness of battle overnight—the shock of two contrasting worlds crashing down on a young man’s shoulders. And on top of that, he still had to manage the trouble his two younger brothers kept stirring up.

Nina couldn’t fathom the depth of his experiences or how many times he had danced with death so closely.

But even after all that, Quentin hadn’t just survived—he had returned and built his own business empire from the ground up.

In that moment, Nina realized that this distant, proud man standing before her was nothing short of a living miracle.

A grin spread across her face, her eyes twinkling with determination. “Relax, I’ve got this—I’m a total pro when it comes to therapy. No shortcuts here. And don’t even think about setting up the tent—I’ll handle it all. All you have to do is check out the finished product. I guarantee it’ll be snug and warm, seriously comfy!”

She patted the tent proudly. “I splurged big time on this one—it’s huge, extra spacious, and totally weatherproof, no matter how wild it gets out here!”

As soon as she bent down to start pitching the tent, Quentin suddenly snatched the pole from her hands. He frowned, exasperation flashing across his face, though a trace of resignation softened his voice. “Just stand there and don’t move. With your scrawny stamina, if you faint halfway through, I’d have to play paramedic,” he huffed. Without saying another word, he knelt down and began assembling the tent—quick and smooth, clearly a pro at this.

Nina could do nothing but stand by his side, handing him the gear as he needed it.

In that moment, a haunting howl echoed through the quiet night, resonating from somewhere deep within the zoo, cutting through the stillness like a knife.