The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135

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Chapter 135

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Nina immediately recognized the middle-aged man with glasses and scholarly grace. It was Spencer, the Vice Chancellor of Jelasburg University.

To Nina, university executives always seemed a bit out of reach, but Spencer was nothing like that.

Back when Nina applied to the Royal Veterinary College overseas, Spencer personally wrote her recommendation letter and even arranged for her to use the university’s veterinary research lab.

Spencer was famous for championing student talent. Whenever he learned a student was in trouble or had hit a rough patch, he’d go out of his way to help. No wonder he had a private reputation among students as one of the best teachers around.

Right now, Spencer looked genuinely worried as he spoke to Simon. “Mr. Reed, we’re counting on your help here.

“The opening ceremony is only three days away, and with the freshmen arriving, rumors about ghosts have started popping up all over campus. It’s causing quite a stir and really isn’t good for our reputation.”

“Mr. Gray,” Nina said as she hurried over, greeting him respectfully.

Spencer’s face lit up with surprise and concern when he saw Nina. “Nina? What brings you here?

“You didn’t return to Summer Veterinary Group after graduation?”

Nina gave a wry smile and shook her head, briefly told her story, her background, and how she ended up taking over the zoo. Then, in a gentle voice, she added, “I’m an animal communicator now, and also a special consultant for the police.”

Spencer had helped Nina apply for a lab at the university, so he knew just how hard she’d worked on vaccine research for Summer Veterinary Group while she was still in college.

After hearing her story, he frowned, clearly wanting to ask more, but ultimately let out a small sigh. “Talented people really do shine everywhere they go.”

His expression turned sober. “Nina, I really have to count on you guys this time.”

Spencer looked over at the teaching building still wrapped in police tape, worry etched across his face. “It’s the beginning of the school year, especially for the freshmen who are all still trying to settle in.

“With something like this happening, I’m genuinely worried it’ll rattle the students and make it impossible for them to concentrate on their studies.

“We poured a fortune into renovating Building Two, all to give the students a better place to learn. Who could’ve guessed that something so heartbreaking would happen as soon as we opened the doors?”

His tone grew heavier. “Rumors of hauntings are growing increasingly rampant. Regular classes are almost out of the question, and honestly, getting anyone to even step inside that building is starting to look impossible.”

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Chapter 135

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Although he kept up a calm front, one could almost see the stress weighing him down.

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The higher-ups kept breathing down his neck to track down the killer, demanding answers for the public and some kind of comfort for the victims’ families.

But he was just an academic. How was he supposed to solve a murder case?

All that pressure and the blame game landed squarely on the gentle, always helpful Spencer.

If he couldn’t find the real killer before the school’s opening ceremony, the whole mess would probably land on him.

But Spencer kept all that to himself. He didn’t breathe a word of it to Nina.

He just gave a slight nod and a gentle smile, not wanting to add his own worries to hers.

Spencer pulled out a tissue and dabbed at the sweat on his forehead, doing his best to sound calm. “If you need anything, just say the word.”

Nina saw how hard he was trying to stay calm and answered gently, “Mr. Gray, please don’t stress yourself. We’ll give it our all, promise.”

Spencer nodded and checked his watch, giving a slightly apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got another meeting right now, so I need to head out.”

He had barely taken a few steps before something came to mind. He turned back to Nina, his tone gentle and

warm.

“By the way, Nina, the old lab you worked in for your experiments and all the research notes you left behind, I made sure to keep everything safe, just like you left it,” he said.

He smiled, a mix of nostalgia and firm pride in his voice. “When folks at the school board suggested clearing out the old lab, I told them you were one of the brightest students the Department of Veterinary Medicine ever had.

“Your research is still valuable, and those notes are a real resource for the current students. That’s why I fought to hang onto it all.

“If you ever need that lab again, just let me know and I’ll make sure you can get in anytime.

“The school’s rolling out an Alumni Research Support Program. I can help you apply to rent it for a symbolic fee. It’s just our way of backing fantastic grads like you when you start something new.”

Nina was caught off guard, frozen for a second before blurting, “Thank you, Mr. Gray!”

She couldn’t believe she got a place to start her research so soon!

“You deserve it,” Spencer said, waving her off as he hurried away.

Nina watched as Spencer hurried away, and she felt tears prick at her eyes.

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Chapter 135

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Simon reached out and gave her hair a gentle tousle, whispering, “Looks like you really did run into a truly good teacher, Nina.”

Nina nodded, quickly pulling herself together, then asked, “By the way, Simon, did the police find any leads. from the surveillance footage?”

“I’m following up on that right now. Let me ask,” Simon said, pulling out his phone. He dialed and asked in a low voice. “Zacariah, how’s the review on the security footage coming along?”

Zacariah’s anxious, helpless voice came through right away. “Don’t even get me started! All the security cameras near Art Studio 01 are busted.

“Building Two had its electrical system redone during the renovation, and the power went out a few times while they were working. The surveillance system probably took a hit from that.

“And with all the different people coming and going, the workload is massive, and we haven’t found any concrete leads yet.”

Simon paused for a moment, then said decisively, “I’ll head over and give you a hand.

“I was just thinking that since there aren’t any blood splatters in the art studio, that means this wasn’t the actual crime scene.

“The killer must have done the dismembering somewhere else, then moved the body parts here to wrap and seal them.

“Building Two has been under renovation for a while now, so most of the people coming in and out are laborers and folks transporting construction materials.

“If the killer disguised themselves as one of the workers and took advantage of all those deliveries to move the body pieces around, nobody would think twice. And they could avoid any attention from the security

cameras.

“We should zero in on anyone who was hauling materials as big as that statue.”

“Absolutely, that’s the right direction!” Zacariah said without hesitation.

Just then, Zacariah’s voice shot up with excitement. “Hey, Mr. Reed, you don’t need to rush over after all!

“The bureau just sent in backup. They said this campus murder stirred up such a mess that they’re sending extra support.

“Professor Alex Summer is here with a couple of image analysis specialists. He says they’ll help us get through the surveillance footage way faster!”

12:23 Wed, Dec 31 M.