The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 99

**TITLE: Dreams Rise Again by Braxton 99**

**Chapter 99**

If only I had answered Nina’s call that fateful night and rushed to her side… Alex mused, his thoughts spiraling into a whirlpool of regret. ‘Would everything have turned out differently?’

Just as Alex sank deeper into his turbulent reflections, a bright, cheerful voice broke through the haze of his mind. “Excuse me, sir,” the woman said with an air of politeness that pulled him back into reality.

He blinked and looked up to find the police department’s PR reporter standing there, her face adorned with a warm smile that seemed to radiate positivity.

With a friendly demeanor, she extended her phone toward him. “Could you do me a favor and take a photo of us? I’d love to capture a moment with these two ‘detective siblings.'”

It was clear that the reporter had become one of Nina’s enthusiastic fans, her demeanor brimming with excitement as she held bags filled with milk tea and late-night snacks, all procured for Nina and Simon.

With a polite smile, she explained to Alex, “Opportunities like this don’t come by often, so I’d really appreciate a photo with them.”

Alex felt an instinctive urge to decline her request, but the sight of the police department badge gleaming in her hand rendered him speechless. He swallowed his initial response and reluctantly accepted the phone, feeling as if he had transformed into a mere human selfie stick.

As he aimed the camera at the three of them, he couldn’t help but notice how Nina beamed with joy, leaning into Simon and exuding a sense of pure innocence as she exclaimed, “This is fantastic! My brother and I have never had a proper photo together before. Thank you so much, sir!”

Through the lens, Alex observed the radiant siblings and the sharp, capable reporter beside them, all waving their milk tea and sharing a moment of unfiltered joy. Yet, within him, an unsettling sense of alienation brewed. It felt as though he was an outsider, lurking behind the camera while they basked in their happiness. His fingers tightened around the phone, trembling with a mix of suppressed anger and bitter frustration.

With a forced smile, he snapped the photo and almost flung the phone back at the reporter, as if it had suddenly turned scalding hot. Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away, his heart pounding with a sense of urgency.

After taking a few strides, he clenched his teeth and muttered through gritted jaws, “Just you wait.”

***

After the interview wrapped up, Nina’s mind was already buzzing with thoughts of how to spend her upcoming bonus. With a little extra cash in her pocket, she envisioned treating herself to a private ride that would take her little animal companions home in style.

As she approached the entrance of the police station, her eyes were drawn to a luxurious van parked at the curb. She recognized the model from celebrity gossip magazines—it was known for its spaciousness and comfort.

Before Nina could fully process the sight, a familiar figure emerged from the van. “Ms. Summer,” James called out, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity. He was Quentin’s secretary.

Nina’s mouth fell open in surprise, but before she could utter a word, James continued with a friendly smile, “Mr. Hayes sent me to handle a few matters around here, and I heard you were at the main station today.”

“I thought since I was in the area, I’d check in and see if you needed a lift.” The van’s windows were rolled down, invitingly.

Before Nina could respond, Mr. Crow, her feathery companion, flapped his wings excitedly. He darted straight into the van, followed closely by the Cockatiel who zoomed in behind him. “Luxury ride! Private van! Must sit! So comfy!” Mr. Crow chirped, his enthusiasm infectious.

He hopped onto the plush leather seats, his head poking out as he exclaimed, “Ms. Summer, why are you standing there? Hurry up and get in! These seats are real leather! Claws down, it feels amazing!”

Nina felt a rush of flustered energy. “Hey! Watch those claws! Don’t ruin the leather!” She couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Does Mr. Crow even have enough in his little stash to pay for this ride?’

James maintained his polite demeanor, his smile unwavering. “It’s truly no trouble at all, Ms. Summer. Mr. Hayes specifically instructed me to ensure you and your companions are well taken care of. It’s getting late, so please, do get in.”

Seeing her animals already settled in and refusing to budge, Nina reluctantly nodded. “Then I suppose I’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Spence.”

“Not at all, really. You’re too kind,” James replied, effortlessly taking the animal carrier and cat carrier from her grasp. He expertly arranged her little pets inside the spacious interior of the van.

The rumors were indeed true—the van’s interior was both expansive and luxurious, comfortably accommodating Nina and all her beloved little MVPs.

Mr. Crow sprawled out on the sumptuous leather seat, rolling over in sheer delight. He called out to Nina, “Ms. Summer! Hurry up and make more money! Your boss here needs his own luxury van!”

Peering through the glass, Nina’s jaw dropped at the sight before her. Quentin was cradling a tiny snow leopard cub that had just been born a few days ago, carefully feeding it from a bottle.

With his sharp features and tall, solid build, his usual bespoke suit projected a cold, commanding aura. Yet, at this moment, he held the fragile little cub with an unexpected tenderness.

The tiny snow leopard gripped the bottle tightly with its fluffy front paws, drinking eagerly as if its life depended on it. As it sipped, it emitted soft, satisfied “gurrrr” noises that resonated with pure contentment.

Its delicate body nestled snugly in Quentin’s strong arms, completely attached to him as if it couldn’t bear to be anywhere else.

Quentin’s brows furrowed, a mix of exasperation and intense focus etched on his face. “Clingy little furball, will you quit kneading me with those claws?” he muttered, a hint of frustration lacing his tone.

The sheer contrast of the scene left Nina utterly speechless.

She gawked at the tableau, instinctively tugging on James’s sleeve, lowering her voice to murmur, “What is going on here? Did Mr. Hayes really come to my zoo to do volunteer work?”

“Honestly, I never imagined he had this… um… soft side,” Nina whispered, still sounding half skeptical. ‘Don’t tell me Quentin’s actually angling for an internship certificate from Forest Isle Zoo?’ she thought, feeling utterly bewildered.

James, equally astonished by Quentin’s nurturing display, nearly lost his glasses, catching them just in time before they hit the floor.

He fought to maintain his impeccable secretary poker face, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him, twitching with the chaos brewing inside.

‘Is this real life?’ James thought, utterly stunned. ‘The super-efficient CEO who never cracks a smile is bottle-feeding a fluffy baby leopard?’

Summoning every ounce of professionalism, he resisted the urge to whip out his phone and capture the moment—a scene so wild it would send the company group chat into a frenzy for weeks.

No way was he about to risk his cushy, high-paying job over that.