The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 130

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Chapter 130

Chapter 130

For half a second, the entire room fell silent.

:

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Right after, a young cop smacked his thigh and burst out, “Holy crap! How did you guys pull that off so fast?!”

The officers who’d been focused on their tasks instantly raised their heads, faces full of excitement.

Someone let out a whistle, and an older officer ripped off his cap, wiped the sweat from his brow, then beamed, “That’s brilliant! Tonight, I can finally sleep like a baby!”

The radio crackled with excitement, followed by loud cheers. “Command here! Once again, the legends carried us all the way!”

“Thank you all for your hard work!” Nina called out.

Smiling, she looked at the neighbors still anxiously gathered in the hallway, her voice clear and calm. “Dear residents, the culprit has been caught. It’s safe now.

“You can all go home and rest easy tonight.”

The old man who’d been babbling away just moments before was now utterly stunned, his wrinkled face flushed red. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally managed to mutter in a voice as tiny as a mosquito’s, “It’s only been a few minutes…”

Several neighbors couldn’t help but burst out laughing, with one even throwing him a playful side-eye.

Someone else shook their head, grinning, “You just had to doubt the police, huh? Bet that stings now, doesn’t it?”

The tension from earlier disappeared in an instant, and the whole hallway was soon brimming with cheerful laughter and applause.

Not long after, Simon drove up to the old neighborhood to pick up Nina. Nina hopped into the back seat, and right away, she spotted the chubby zipping energetically around drowsy Mr. Crow.

Chubby was flapping its wings, all pumped up. “Mr. Crow! We nailed it out there. We’re a dream team!

“I’ve already thought up our group name. We’re the Batty & Crow Sleuth Squad! How’s that?”

Mr. Crow didn’t even bother opening his eyes. He just tucked his head deeper under his wing. “Let me nap in peace. You’re way too chatty.”

Nina watched the big-and-small duo banter and couldn’t help but cover her mouth, stifling a laugh.

Simon caught their reflections in the rearview mirror, lips quirking into a quiet smile. “Nina, they’ve already taken the suspect down to the precinct. We’ll get the full story after they question him.

“My new apartment’s close by. I saved you a bedroom. Just crash there tonight and take it easy.”

12:22 Wed, Dec 31 M…

Chapter 130

Nina let out a big yawn and mumbled, “Okay.”

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The car rolled quietly through the streets, and before long, Nina had nodded off, her head resting against the

window.

When they arrived, Simon pulled over gently and glanced back. Nina was already sleeping soundly, looking utterly content.

Chubby was hanging upside down from the car’s ceiling handle, swaying gently as it dozed off.

Mr. Crow had somehow ended up perched on top of Nina’s head, using her messy hair as a makeshift nest, sound asleep.

Simon watched this warm and adorable scene, a smile spreading across his face.

He carefully unbuckled his seatbelt, gently lifted Nina onto his back, gave the two sleepy critters a little poke to wake them up, and headed toward home.

The next morning, Nina woke up to the smell of breakfast wafting cozily through the house.

She shuffled out of her room, rubbing her sleepy eyes, to find Simon in the kitchen with his apron on, whipping up breakfast like a pro.

When he noticed Nina, he shot her a warm smile. “Go wash up. Food’s almost ready.”

By the time Nina sat down at the table, there was a bowl of porridge waiting for her, with a glass of fresh milk on the side.

Simon took off his apron, his voice steady but gentle. “Nina, I have the day off today. Why don’t we go visit Dad at the cemetery together?”

Nina froze for a second, then nodded with all her might, her eyes starting to glisten with unshed tears.

She had been waiting for so long to hear him say that.

The cemetery was peaceful and solemn that afternoon, with the breeze drifting through the pines, carrying a refreshing chill.

Nina gently set down a bunch of pure white jasmine and soft daisies in front of John’s headstone.

John was almost a carbon copy of Simon. One could just tell by his gaze that John was someone he could always count on, stubbornly honest to the core.

Even in the picture on the tombstone, that calm, iron-willed vibe was clear as day.

Nina stared at her father’s photo for a long moment, then finally asked softly, “Simon, how did Dad really die?”

Simon gazed off into the distance, his voice low and heavy. “Dad was a detective. He worked on a ton of big

cases.

12:22 Wed, Dec 31 …

Chapter 130

“But after he got seriously hurt, the lingering effects forced him off the front lines.

“He didn’t die on the job, though”

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Simon paused, then continued, “According to the official report, he was heading home after work when he saw a little boy darting into traffic. He rushed in to save him, but a dump truck couldn’t stop in time. He was killed instantly, right there.”

“Did the boy make it?” Nina asked quietly.

Nina’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, he made it. He only got a bit banged up. But Dad never woke up,” Simon answered, his voice thick with

emotion.

Simon paused, clearly fighting to stay composed. “Since he wasn’t on duty when it happened, he never got the official recognition he really deserved.”

Nina’s heart grew heavy, like something was gently squeezing inside, leaving her with a bittersweet ache.

Simon reached out, gently rubbed her head with his warm palm, his voice soft and low. “Dad always felt guilty deep down.”

He paused, as if those memories weighed him down. “When Mom had you, Dad was stuck working a big case in another city and just couldn’t get away.

“And to make things worse, I was sick at the time, and the whole house was chaos. That’s how you and Claire ended up getting mixed up, right in that mess.

“And that mistake lasted more than ten years.”

Simon’s voice was heavy with regret. “I only just realized how much you suffered with the Summer family. I’m sorry, Nina…”

Nina shook her head hard. Her eyes were a little red, but she tried her best to smile. “Simon, don’t say that. You were just a kid back then. You’re only four years older than me.”

She stepped a little closer. “Besides, we’re together now, and we’re doing just fine.

“Grant even told me that everyone at the station calls us the Star Pair now!”

Simon looked into Nina’s bright eyes, his heart softening. He finally smiled back, nodding seriously. “Yeah!”

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