The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Chapter 148

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Nina felt a sting in her nose when she heard the words “friends and family”, a wave of emotion washing over her.

She reached out and gently ruffled Shadow’s fluffy head, her voice coming out a bit soft and shaky.

She said, “This is way too nice. Really, some snacks are more than enough for me.”

Quentin let out a soft scoff, raising an eyebrow at her. “Too much? Do you really think this is pricey for someone who earns 400 thousand dollars a day?”

He teased her, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Weren’t you the one who couldn’t wait to brag to me about scoring 400 thousand dollars in just one day?”

Nina was left speechless by his comeback and muttered under her breath, “It happened only once.”

Quentin glanced at the pile of gifts and said offhandedly, “Just take them. Consider it a reward for you finally keeping up with your workouts.”

He paused, then added with a bit of playful disdain, “Plus, they’re all slobbered over by that dog-no way I want them.”

Nina couldn’t help but giggle, bent down to hug Shadow, and planted a playful kiss right on his fluffy forehead.

She looked up at Quentin, her eyes shimmering, and chirped sweetly, “Thank Shadow, and thank you, Mr. Hayes.”

Quentin barely bothered to respond. Through the hazy window, his profile seemed completely aloof, along with the subtle flush that had crept up his ear.

The car slowly rolled into the zoo.

As soon as Nina and Quentin got out, they saw a truck parked in a patch of ground.

A few staff members were busy unloading chicken coops from the back, and nearby, a donkey was being led by another staff member, just chilling and munching on a carrot.

Quentin raised an eyebrow, shooting Nina a teasing look.

He said, “What’s this all about? Are you opening a farm right here in the zoo or what?”

Nina scratched her head, looking sheepish. “Not really.

“Back when we went to that town chasing robbers, I promised Auntie Hen and Uncle Donkey I’d help them out of there.”

She continued, “About a month ago, I made good on my promise. After that, I sent them to the hospital for observation, gave them a thorough check-up, and made sure they got treated for parasites.

“Now that everything’s finished, they can finally join the zoo family-official residents at last.”

Quentin watched the commotion in front of him, his temple twitching slightly. “So, where are you putting all these hens?”

There was a hint of dread in his voice. “Don’t tell me you’re setting up their coop right on the lawn next to my car and tent.”

Nina hurriedly shook her head. “Absolutely not. The hens don’t exactly have the best bathroom manners-they’d bomb the whole lawn in no time.”

She chuckled, pointing far off. “I put up a new chicken coop way out on that patch and had it cleaned and fixed up just for them. It’s spotless.”

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Chapter 148

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Quentin still didn’t quite trust it. “Is the coop really secure? They’re not gonna sneak out in the middle of the night and pay an unexpected visit to my tent, are they?”

Nina grinned. “No way, I promise. It’s all taken care of.”

Quentin gave her a side-eye, still not fully convinced. “You’d better be serious.”

With that, Quentin turned and led Shadow away, the leash in his hand as he walked off.

Shadow, full of energy, bolted ahead, nearly dragging Quentin straight toward the Leopard Den, tail wagging like a maniac.

Quentin kept his eyes glued to his phone, completely absorbed in his work and barely noticing as Shadow pulled him along.

Nina opened her mouth, ready to say something, but thought better of it and kept quiet.

She thought, ‘Whatever, looks like Quentin’s on leopard daddy duty again at the Leopard Den today.

It’s been over two weeks anyway, and the baby leopard Chilly must be missing him. Plus, it’s grown a lot since last time, and Quentin would definitely be shocked by how much things had changed.’

Nina stifled her laughter as she trailed behind Quentin and Shadow, eager to watch the fun unfold.

When Quentin finally tore his eyes away from his phone, he realized that Shadow had somehow steered him right to the Leopard Den’s front door.

The staff member, Barrett, who was sweeping up inside, looked over and broke into a grin, clearly thrilled and surprised.

He said, “Mr. Hayes, you’re back. What perfect timing. You gotta come see the baby snow leopard. It’s been growing like

crazy.”

He eagerly scooted aside and waved Quentin in, practically bouncing with excitement.

Shadow was already spinning circles, barking up a storm. “Let me see the snow leopard.”

Quentin let out a helpless sigh, pocketed his phone, and let Shadow tug him into the room, not even bothering to fight the dog’s enthusiasm.

As soon as he stepped in, his eyes were immediately drawn to the fluffy little figure lounging in the play area.

The snow leopard, noticeably bigger now, its silver-gray spots gleaming as it lounged lazily on a low log under the sun.

Quentin froze for a second, almost not believing his eyes. “Is this the same one?”

He muttered under his breath, “It’s gotten so big.”

As soon as he heard that familiar voice, the snow leopard, Chilly, pricked up its ears, alert as ever, snitting the air carefully- trying to figure out who just arrived.

Barrett laughed and explained, “He’s still a bit skittish around strangers, so he probably won’t-”

But before he could finish, Chilly suddenly got up, moving with clumsy but much sturdier steps, and headed straight for the glass. He pushed his fluffy head up against the glass, nuzzling it with clear affection.

Right where Quentin was standing, it purred in pure delight, making it obvious he recognized him.

Barrett’s words caught in his throat, while Quentin’s lips twitched with a barely-there smile.

Barrett pulled open the door, letting Chilly into the play area.

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The moment Chilly stepped out, he trotted straight to Quentin, circled around his legs twice with obvious curiosity, and then suddenly gave his leg a big hug.

Quentin, intrigued, crouched down. Chilly started testing out his fresh teeth, gently nibbling on his fingers-almost as if he was practicing how to hunt.

Nina couldn’t hold back her laugh. “Look at that. He really likes you-he just wants to play.”

Quentin felt a tiny, tingling sensation on his fingertips. Not only did he not pull away, but his gaze turned unexpectedly soft, and there was even a subtle trace of pride in his voice. “Yeah, he’s growing his teeth.”

He couldn’t help but feel a wave of pride, like a proud dad watching his own kid grow up healthy and strong.

Nina checked the time, her eyes curving into a grin as she teased, “Looks like it’s almost his lunch time. He’s got his own bowl now. Mr. Hayes, ready to play zookeeper again?”

Quentin raised an eyebrow and shot her a look, his voice full of indulgence. “Since I’m already here, would you even let me

leave if I said no?”

Barrett, barely holding back his laughter, quickly brought over a bowl of milk, As soon as Quentin took it and crouched down, Chilly buried his whole head inside, slurping away like he hadn’t eaten in days, his tail tip twitching with pure joy.

However, before Quentin could react, Chilly paddled his paw around, and half the milk went flying, landing perfectly all over Quentin’s face.

Nina froze for a split second, then just pointed at him and burst out laughing, totally unapologetic.

Before Nina could even finish laughing, Chilly, still enjoying his meal, suddenly whipped his head with gusto.

A few drops of milk landed squarely on Nina’s nose and cheeks.

Nina’s laughter cut off in an instant.

Quentin, still with milk all over his own face, caught her stunned expression, and a slow, unmistakable grin crept across his lips-his earlier frustration completely wiped away.

It was written all over his face-he was laughing at her.

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