The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“The hamster said there’s a human scent beneath the bed. At first, I wasn’t sure, so I kept quiet,” Nina explained, taking a bite of her apple. “But now, I really think we need to call the police.”

Yolanda’s hands trembled as she reached for her phone, fingers shaking as she dialed the emergency number. Her small studio apartment offered no place to hide, and the reality of the situation pressed down on her like a heavy weight. Thankfully, her kind neighbors had stayed with her, offering silent support as they waited for the authorities to arrive.

Outside, the night had fully settled in. The clock had long passed nine, and the sky was a deep, inky black. The three of them—Yolanda, the neighbors, and the silent presence beneath the bed—shared the cramped space, each feeling a creeping unease. The atmosphere was thick with tension, broken only by the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards.

Meanwhile, the livestream that Nina had started had exploded in popularity, drawing in over ten thousand viewers.

[Whoa, did this vet’s stream just turn into a real-life crime drama?]

[Is Nina secretly a detective? She streams twice a day and somehow stumbles into murder scenes both times. First poisoning, now a hidden corpse… What’s next?]

[If that’s the case, I can’t stop watching.]

[I came here to hear her translate animal sounds, and now I’m too scared to even get up and go to the bathroom. Can we get something less terrifying, please?]

About twenty minutes later, the police finally arrived at Yolanda’s door.

Yolanda had discovered Nina’s livestream while browsing local streams—they were both from Jelasburg. The officers who showed up were from the Jelasburg Police Department, accompanied by forensic specialists. A police line was quickly established outside the apartment, and the forensic team began unwrapping the black plastic that concealed the human-shaped bundle beneath Yolanda’s bed.

Yolanda and her neighbors stepped cautiously into the hallway, giving the professionals space to work.

As the layers of black plastic were peeled away, a strange chemical odor drifted into the air. The neighbor’s wife, unable to resist her curiosity, leaned in for a closer look. But the sight and smell overwhelmed her—she gasped, turning aside and nearly vomiting from the stench.

From inside, the forensic officer delivered the grim findings. “The deceased has been dead for over twenty days. The body was preserved in some kind of chemical solution.”

He continued, “The killer used a food-grade vacuum sealer to wrap the body, with activated charcoal inside. Once sealed, the smell was effectively contained.”

Yolanda shuddered deeply as she absorbed the report. She slid down the hallway wall, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. “Oh my god… I slept back-to-back with a corpse for more than two weeks…” she whispered, voice trembling.

The livestream chat exploded with shocked reactions.

[This killer is seriously twisted. How could someone just stash a body under someone’s bed like that?]

[I was listening to a song that said “we hug back to back” and almost peed myself.]

[I got so scared I grabbed a flashlight to check under my bed—and a cockroach fell on my head.]

[No way am I sticking my feet out from under the blanket anymore.]

Meanwhile, the little hamster was gently taken out and placed in Yolanda’s palm. It no longer trembled but instead nestled calmly, wrapping its tiny pink paws around her finger as if to comfort her.

The hamster’s big, glossy black eyes gazed up at Nina’s face on Yolanda’s phone screen with curious affection.

Yolanda nodded and held up her phone. “Yes. That’s Ms. Summer from Forest Isle Zoo. She really can talk to animals.”

The officer’s expression hardened as he leaned closer to the screen. “Ma’am, we strongly suspect you may be connected to this case. We need you to come down to the Riverside Heights precinct to give a full statement.”

Nina shrugged helplessly. “Wait, how did I become a suspect? I was just treating a pet online.”

“The Jelasburg Police Department Headquarters asked me to be their special consultant because I can communicate with animals,” Nina added.

The officer’s tone sharpened further. “The headquarters hired you? Let me remind you—there are already ten thousand people watching your stream. Spreading rumors on that scale can cause serious trouble.”

He continued, “As far as I know, the only consultant the Jelasburg Police Department Headquarters has is Professor Alex Summer, the criminologist.”

Before Nina could respond, a firm, middle-aged voice called out from the hallway.

“That’s correct. But now, we have another consultant—one who understands animals.”

Nina looked up to see Grant stepping into the room, flanked by several officers. They carried small gifts—fruit, milk, and other thoughtful items.

Surprised and slightly uncertain, Nina asked, “Captain Cole? What are you doing here?”

A flicker of curiosity crossed her mind. Was there already another case waiting for her?