The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 82

**Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**

**Chapter 82**

The lower stretches of the Misty River lay in a state of eerie solitude. The banks, a mirror image of each other, were draped in wild grass and untamed reeds, making any construction a daunting task. As a result, the area had become a ghost town, with few souls brave enough to claim it as home.

In the midst of this desolation, the Heron Flock descended gracefully onto a nearby reed marsh, their wings slicing through the air with a sense of purpose.

The Spokesbird, ever the vigilant sentinel, squawked out a call that echoed like a siren in the stillness. “Ms. Summer, it’s right here!”

“Thanks!” Nina replied, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.

With a determined nod, Nina rummaged through her backpack, her fingers brushing against the fabric until they found the container she sought. “I’m going to send some underwater critters to assist. You’re in charge here, right? Can you keep an eye on them?”

The Spokesbird puffed its chest proudly, a glimmer of authority in its eyes. “You got it! I’ll make sure they’re safe!”

Nina carefully extracted a container, revealing three robust, non-venomous water snakes writhing within.

The Night Herons, perched nearby, recoiled in horror at the sight of the thick, serpentine creatures.

“Don’t worry,” Nina hurried to reassure them, her voice soothing. “These water snakes are on my team—they won’t harm any of you.”

She continued, “Besides, they’re unfamiliar with this part of the river. Could you help watch their backs?”

The Night Herons exchanged wide-eyed glances, their thoughts racing. *Seriously? These hefty water snakes are supposed to be our underlings?*

The Spokesbird, sensing their hesitation, jumped in with enthusiasm. “No problem at all!”

With a grin, Nina released the three water snakes into the Misty River. They vanished like shadows, slipping beneath the surface, likely lying in wait for the troublemakers to reveal themselves.

Meanwhile, Simon had opted for a more discreet approach. He didn’t park the car by the riverbank; instead, he maneuvered it down an overgrown dirt road, draping it with a black car cover.

After all, it was a police vehicle—too conspicuous for their covert operation. He didn’t want to spook the suspects lurking nearby.

Thanks to the Heron Flock’s extensive knowledge of the riverbanks, they had already scouted an ideal hiding spot for both Simon and Nina.

They nestled close to the flood control embankment, a strategic vantage point.

Nina quickly reached out to Grant from the Detective Squad, sending him their location and a brief overview of the situation, requesting backup.

With the way things were shaping up, they might need to call in the coast guard.

There was no way they could chase down the suspects without a boat. Even if Simon possessed the strength of a superhero, he certainly couldn’t manage a water-walking feat.

And as for Nina—her paddling skills were questionable at best, and her body wasn’t built for extended periods in the water.

“The biggest problem right now is that we don’t have a boat,” Nina said, her brow furrowed in frustration.

“Those guys are probably out on the water right now,” she added, her voice tinged with concern.

The Spokesbird, brimming with confidence, shook its tuft. “No worries! We’ve got a whole crew ready to help out at a moment’s notice!

“With just one call from me, my friends can have that fishing boat surrounded before they even know what hit them.”

It lifted its chin, radiating pride. “There are only three or four people on that boat. No way they could handle the Heron Brigade!”

Nina’s mind raced as she recalled the Night Herons’ social nature. Just one family could easily gather twenty or thirty members.

At night, they often teamed up with other heron relatives like egrets, transforming the area into a vibrant, feathery reunion.

If they wished, they could summon an army of birds, a flock of up to a hundred, all squawking and flapping until the entire region resembled a lively heron island.

To Nina, it felt like they were hosting an endless group chat on the river, a cacophony of feathers and calls.

With the entire bird crew watching her back, Nina felt a wave of relaxation wash over her.

She shared the Heron Flock’s backup plan with Simon, who lowered his gaze, contemplating the implications.

Leaning in closer, he murmured, “These guys have been here before, fishing out artifacts multiple times. Who knows where all that stuff ended up?

“Nina, give the birds a heads up—pretty soon, I’m going to—”

Nina interrupted him with a thumbs-up, her confidence shining through. “Simon, you always come through!”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify