The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 59

**Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**

**Chapter 59**

Nina’s complexion turned ghostly pale as the weight of Ethan’s words settled in. “Which one?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with dread.

Ethan, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, took a deep breath. “The Bamboo Viper,” he replied, his tone heavy with urgency.

The Bamboo Viper, known for its potent venom, belonged to the viper family and was an exotic sight to behold. Typically green, this species occasionally produced a rare white variant that captivated the hearts of those lucky enough to glimpse it.

At the Forest Isle Zoo, the star attraction was a striking white female Bamboo Viper, affectionately named Misty Fang. Her presence drew visitors from distant places, all eager to witness her beauty and danger.

Nina’s brow furrowed as she recalled the snake’s name. “Is it the snake named Misty Fang?” she queried, her heart racing.

Misty Fang was indeed a sight to behold, her entire body a pristine white, with fangs that glimmered like polished ivory—stunning yet undeniably perilous.

“That’s right,” Ethan confirmed, his voice taut with tension. “I’ve reviewed the surveillance footage, and my colleagues have scoured the entire park. There’s no trace of Misty Fang.”

Sweat continued to pour down Ethan’s face as he spoke. “Misty Fang has a notoriously bad temper. With the influx of visitors lately, it could spell disaster if she were to bite someone.”

Nina nodded in understanding, her resolve hardening. “I’ll go take a look.”

Misty Fang, being a venomous Bamboo Viper, was kept securely in a solitary terrarium designed to contain her. There was no way she should have been able to escape.

As Nina approached Misty Fang’s terrarium, she scrutinized it closely. The setup was quite plain, likely due to budget constraints. A thin layer of white pebbles blanketed the floor, and a simple artificial branch stood as her perch, adorned with a shed snake skin that clung to it like a forgotten memory.

Donning thick gloves, Nina began to sift through the pebbles with methodical precision. Suddenly, she froze, her breath hitching in her throat. Beneath the stones, she spotted a damaged drainage pipe.

“Crap,” she muttered under her breath, her heart plummeting. That broken pipe was likely the very escape route Misty Fang had exploited.

Without wasting another moment, Nina dashed to the control room, her mind racing. “I need the drainage layout for the Forest Isle Wetlands,” she instructed the technician, urgency palpable in her voice.

After a quick examination of the blueprint, she traced the path of the pipe with her finger, her determination propelling her forward as she rushed out.

As she exited, a sudden flurry of movement caught her attention. Phantom, the leader of the five bats, swooped down toward her, flapping his wings in a frenzy.

Nina was taken aback; it was unusual for the bats to be active during their morning rest.

“Ms. Summer, help! Chunky nearly got eaten by a white poisonous snake!” Phantom exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.

A chill washed over Nina, realization dawning on her. The white poisonous snake could only be Misty Fang.

Bats were among Misty Fang’s favored prey, and with their usual sleep disrupted, they were all on edge. Chunky, the slowest flier of the group, was naturally the most at risk.

“How’s Chunky?” Nina asked, urgency lacing her tone. “Where is that white venomous snake now?”

Phantom flitted through the air, reporting, “Near the staff dorms. Chunky is safe! Tabby Cat arrived just in time and smacked the snake right on the head!”

Relief surged through Nina, and she couldn’t help but marvel at Tabby Cat’s audacity.

When she arrived at the scene, her heart raced at the sight that greeted her. Beneath a sprawling tree, a tense standoff unfolded—a cat and a snake, each poised for confrontation. Tabby Cat stood with his back arched, fur bristling and tail held high, while Misty Fang coiled like a spring, her tongue flicking in and out, tasting the air.

Nina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow skeptically. “A venomous snake going for a walk by itself? That sounds terrifying.”

“You can come with me,” Misty Fang proposed, flicking her tongue anxiously. “Aren’t you checking on all the animals anyway? You could use me as your stethoscope.”

After making her case, Misty Fang nuzzled Nina’s gloved hand in a surprisingly affectionate gesture.

Nina recalled the care log indicating that Misty Fang had been eating less and had struck the glass three times. She understood that the snake’s restlessness stemmed from being confined to the same space for too long.

“Sounds tempting,” Nina admitted, her brow furrowing in thought. However, a flicker of concern nagged at her—what if Misty Fang lashed out while she was examining other animals?

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration ignited within her. She waved her phone excitedly. “Let’s make a deal. As long as you stick with me, I’ll place a new piece of furniture in your enclosure after each round of checkups.”

Nina quickly pulled up the shopping page on her phone, showcasing enticing options. “Look at this heated rock pad and this fern climbing frame with a built-in mister. Pretty great, right?”

Misty Fang’s eyes widened in awe. “A tree that sprays water?” She leaned closer to the phone, excitement radiating from her. “Deal! I want that pad with the fish pattern!”

Nina chuckled, playfully poking Misty Fang’s head. “No problem, but if you try to run off again, I’ll give the pad to the lizard next door.”

“No!” Misty Fang coiled around Nina’s wrist in an instant. “I won’t run off anywhere.”

For the remainder of the morning, Nina attended to the park’s animals, diligently recording their health. Misty Fang remained coiled around her wrist, occasionally handing her tools with her mouth, a surprising display of cooperation.

Nina couldn’t help but ponder the change in Misty Fang’s demeanor. ‘Why did the snake, once so irritable and eager to escape, suddenly seem so docile? Could it be the promise of new furniture? I need to stay alert!’

As she continued her rounds, an understanding of Misty Fang’s sudden calm began to dawn on her.