The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Amber replied: [Honestly, loads of folks thought Cuddle Critters Indoor Park was where the real money was. They were lining up to throw in their cash, ready to ink investment deals left and right.

[But thanks to Chris stirring things up and exposing all that dirty laundry, those investors are practically tripping over themselves to thank him. He totally helped them dodge a bullet and kept their wallets safe from a mess.]

The more Amber went on, the more she thought Chris was born under a lucky star. [Seriously, his livestream clip where he revealed Little Alpaca’s condition totally blew up online, and now everyone’s calling him the “animal hero.”

[His reputation’s gone through the roof, and even that cheesy old hit of his is trending again. Last night he was invited to a music festival. This guy really hit the jackpot.]

Nina felt truly happy for Chris. [Chris’s such a kind soul. He really earned all of this.]

Amber: [Honestly, I think our family’s luck is all thanks to you.] Nina felt flustered by the praise, her cheeks heating up.

After a while, Amber messaged Nina a hot search screenshot. [Look, Claire just publicly apologized.]

Nina clicked open the trending post. Claire had posted an official statement on Twitter, not only apologizing, but also declaring she was donating all the animals to Forest Isle Zoo.

[Claire Summer: As the one in charge, I’m deeply sorry for my slip-up in management. Seeing these little ones suffer, I felt my heart shatter.

[Thanks to Forest Isle Zoo for welcoming them in. I hope this adorable crew will get all the care and happiness they deserve.]

Nina read Claire’s Twitter and let out a small chuckle. ‘Clever move. She really knows her PR. That’s some textbook retreat to advance, she thought.

But this time, Claire ended up in a wheelchair for real. According to Amber’s reliable intel, Little Alpaca’s literal kick sent Claire flying, leaving her with a nasty slipped disc.

Claire had to have a mandatory bed rest for at least three months. Even just sneezing meant she had to clutch her back for support, so forget about her stirring up drama anytime soon.

*****

At the the Summer residence, Claire sat in her wheelchair, eyes brimming with tears.

“Alex, this whole animal breakout had to be Nina’s plan. Isn’t she supposed to be some sort of

Canine Communication Specialist? Claire’s eyes were red and watery as she choked out. “How else could it be such a coincidence?

“Woodpeckers, Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, even all these raptors somehow stormed into our cafe at the exact same time. And they chose the one moment I just happened to be streaming live.”

Alex, frowning, had the same suspicion about Nina. “Did you check the cafe’s security footage? Did the cameras catch anything with Nina in it?”

Claire’s frustration only grew when Alex brought it up. “Yeah, it did catch something, but…”

She pulled up the security footage and showed it to Alex. On the screen, Mr. Crow was sneaking into the, cafe with a black plastic bag draped over it.

Alex watched the security monitor as a “black plastic bag” flew right in through the window. The bag then started hopping and bouncing around the floor, wandering all over Cuddle Critters Indoor Park. No way to tell what kind of bird that even

was.

And even if they somehow identified it, they couldn’t link it to Nina at all. “Seriously, how can a bird be this freaking smart? Claire fumed, her fingers curling into tight fists.

Claire squeezed her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. “Alex, those little animals I poured my heart into, raised myself, when I first started out. Now, thanks to that awful staff and team totally screwing me over, they’re all being handed off to

Nina.”

Her voice wobbled with tears. “I couldn’t even keep them safe.” Claire blinked up at Alex, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Was it me? Did I mess up somewhere? Is that why she wants nothing to do with me?”

Alex’s heart ached as he watched Claire fall apart. “Claire, we don’t have any actual proof that Nina planned all this.

He gently wiped away her tears. “With the whole Internet against you right now, if you go after Nina, everyone’s just gonna see it as you getting her wrong.”

Claire’s tears clung to her lashes as she waited for Alex to say something harsh about Nina, to really put her in her place. But he just left it hanging.

No way, that can’t be right, Claire thought, frustration bubbling up inside her. When she was little, whenever she’d told Simon someone was bullying her, he’d always track them down and make sure they paid for it.

And Alex is my real brother, with way more power. Shouldn’t he be even tougher than Simon? Is it because Alex still can’t bring himself to hurt Nina?’ Claire wondered.

Claire dug her nails into her palm, about to speak, when Alex’s phone suddenly rang. “Something happened? I’m on my way,” he replied, hanging up.

Alex turned to Claire. “Claire, there’s been a body found by the river. I have to head over there right now. When I’m back, I’ll pick up some of your favorite chocolate mousse,” he said, hoping to cheer her up a little.

Alex grabbed his coat and hurried out. After Simon and Nina kept getting the upper hand in a few cases, Alex was burning to crack a major case and show he’s every bit capable.