The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 84

**Dreams Rise Again by Braxton 84**
**Chapter 84**

Luke’s cheeks burned crimson, a deep flush creeping across his face as Nina and Simon’s sharp retorts left him utterly speechless. The weight of their words hung in the air, and he felt the heat of embarrassment radiating from his skin.

“Luke, that’s not exactly fair,” Grant interjected, his voice steady and reassuring. “In police work, suspects slipping through the cracks is a common occurrence. It happens more often than you think.”

Grant stepped closer, offering Simon a supportive pat on the shoulder, his gesture a blend of camaraderie and encouragement. “You two have done an impressive job tracking them all the way here and unveiling the hidden truths behind this case. Capturing three of those suspects is no small achievement. You should be proud.”

“Trust me, you’re definitely in line for a third-class merit award for this!” he declared, a broad smile spreading across his face, reflecting his genuine pride in their efforts.

Nina nodded in agreement, her mind racing with thoughts. With so many curious eyes around them, now was not the right moment to reveal that Slinky had been tailing them covertly. She resolved to share the details with Grant later, in a more private setting, where they could discuss the implications without the prying eyes of onlookers.

Suddenly, from the shadowy edge of the shore, three enormous, serpentine water snakes emerged, their sinuous bodies gliding effortlessly through the water. They slithered up to Nina’s feet, their scales glistening ominously under the dim light.

One of the snakes flicked its tail, inadvertently landing it on Luke’s polished dress shoe, heightening the tension of the moment. Luke stood frozen, his body rigid, as if he had turned to stone, unable to muster the will to move even a single muscle.

The largest of the three water snakes raised its head, its voice smooth yet commanding. “Ms. Summer, we’ve been tracking those three tomb raiders since they leaped off the boat. Following their trail led us to the location of the underwater tomb. Would you like us to guide you there right now?”

Nina’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn’t contain herself. “Grant! The water snakes say they’ve found the underwater tomb!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

“Are you serious? There’s an actual underwater tomb?” Grant’s demeanor shifted instantly, his interest piqued, the energy in his posture amplifying.

‘This could mean those raiders left behind crucial evidence. Building a case against them just became significantly easier,’ he thought, a surge of determination coursing through him.

Turning to his deputy, he instructed, “Get someone to secure the area immediately and arrange for shifts to guard it. I’ll contact the archaeology institute without delay!”

The lead water snake continued, “What lies beneath is a sunken ship! We even encountered some of our cousins who have made their home within the wreckage. They informed us that a group of humans has been disturbing their peace for quite some time.”

“They mentioned that today, those unfortunate souls triggered one of the ship’s underwater traps—a whirlpool erupted, causing them to panic and swim away as fast as they could!”

Nina pieced it all together, her mind racing. ‘No wonder those fools barely spent any time underwater before scrambling back up—they must have activated one of the tomb’s anti-looter traps,’ she realized, a sense of clarity washing over her.

“It’s getting late, and the archaeology team hasn’t even arrived yet. Let’s wait until tomorrow—then you can lead them to the tomb,” Nina suggested, her voice steady.

The three adult water snakes nodded eagerly, their excitement palpable.

The largest snake, unable to contain its curiosity, asked, “Ms. Summer, I noticed Misty Fang and the others received payment for their roles as trainers. If we act as guides, do we get paid as well?”

The other two snakes chimed in, their voices filled with eagerness. “We want to earn our own allowance for food too! That way, Ms. Summer, you won’t have to work so hard to keep us fed!”

All three snakes shared a collective thought: ‘Ms. Summer is already so thin, taking care of an entire zoo of animals. She has too much on her plate.’

Feeling a swell of emotion, Nina turned to Grant, her expression earnest. “Captain Cole, our three snake friends are inquiring if they will be compensated for assisting as guides for the archaeology team.”

Grant glanced down at the three wriggling water snakes, and for a fleeting moment, he couldn’t help but find their shadowy forms oddly endearing.

“Absolutely—you will be paid!” Grant replied, a broad grin lighting up his face. “I’ll ensure those old-timers at the archaeology institute cough up a substantial labor dispatch fee for you!”

The three water snakes erupted into jubilant wriggles, breaking into their signature snake dance right then and there, a spectacle that brought a smile to Nina’s face.

In a moment of generosity, she rewarded them with a handful of small fish, watching as they eagerly snatched them up.

Meanwhile, a forensics officer who had been scouring the fishing boat approached, calling out, “Captain Cole, we found something wedged in a crack on the deck.”

He held up a clear evidence bag for everyone to see, revealing a fancy-looking fountain pen.

The pen exuded elegance and quality, with the words “Outstanding Worker of the Northwest Archaeology Institute” etched in glimmering gold along its side.

Simon, his expression serious, spoke up with certainty. “Professor Lee worked at the Northwest Archaeology Institute. This pen belongs to him.”

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