The Villainess's Heartthrob Script: I Can Talk to Animals

Chapter 647: Chapter 647: I Don’t Deserve Her

A week later, the Jennings family threw a welcome party for its newest members, Willow and Glenn, to officially welcome them into the family.

Renee Jennings found them a new school, and the siblings’ lives finally fell into place.

The morning sun was perfect. At the school gate, Willow and Glenn, dressed in brand-new uniforms and carrying their backpacks, waved with huge smiles on their faces.

"Aunt Rae, Renee, Sister Michelle, see you at home!"

Renee smiled and waved back. "See you at home."

The three of them only turned and got back in the car after the siblings were out of sight.

From the passenger seat, Michelle Fuller sighed wistfully. "Renee, your family is getting so big and lively. I’m so envious."

Rhea Dempsey beamed. "You should come over more often, Michelle."

"You got it!" Michelle Fuller chirped, grinning. "I’ll bring the whole clan."

Rhea Dempsey clapped. "You’re more than welcome! The more the merrier."

With a smile in her eyes, Renee glanced at her mother in the rearview mirror. "Mom, how about we grab a bite and see a movie before heading home?"

Rhea Dempsey waved a hand dismissively. "You and Michelle go have fun. I’m meeting a friend to catch up."

Renee raised an eyebrow. "Alright then. Where are you meeting? I’ll drop you off."

"Lyda Plaza," Rhea Dempsey said. "She opened a clothing boutique there."

"Okay." Renee searched for it on her GPS. "While you’re there, if you see anything you like, it’s my treat."

"That’s not necessary. I have plenty of clothes."

"Just get it if you like it."

Michelle Fuller laughed and chimed in, "She’s right, Aunt Rae. It always feels like a girl is missing just one more outfit in her closet."

Rhea Dempsey laughed, amused. "Okay, okay. You win."

The car pulled up to Lyda Plaza. Rhea Dempsey got out and waved at them. "I’ll grab a cab home, no need to pick me up."

"Okay," Renee answered from the car. She waited until her mother had walked into the mall before driving away.

Michelle Fuller looked up from her phone. "Babe, I booked a private theater at Charles Lockwood’s. We can eat and watch a movie there."

"Sounds good," Renee Jennings nodded.

After three hours in the private theater, it was only a little past one when they emerged.

As they walked, Michelle Fuller remarked, "See? It really pays to start the day early. How about a full-body spa now?"

Renee was about to nod in agreement when her eyes landed on a direct message. Her brow furrowed, and her expression instantly turned serious.

"Renee, what’s wrong?" Michelle Fuller asked.

Renee’s voice dropped. "A follower DMed me. Apparently, a private zoo in Trenwick is abusing a panda."

Michelle Fuller frowned instinctively, her voice filled with disbelief and outrage. "You’re kidding me. Who would dare abuse a giant panda?"

"I’ll look for videos." Once they were back in the car, Renee started searching on her phone.

Numerous users had posted videos from the Trenwick Cutie-pie Zoo. One giant panda, in particular, was shockingly thin. The outline of its spine was clearly visible, and it looked like nothing but fur and bones.

Seeing the emaciated panda in the video, Michelle Fuller was furious. "Oh my god, it’s way too skinny! Are they even feeding it?"

"It’s incredibly thin." Renee’s frown deepened.

Normal pandas are supposed to be plump and round, but this one’s face was sunken. It looked like a truly pitiful example of a bear.

She opened the comment section under the video and found it flooded with messages of condemnation.

Users were demanding to know why the zoo was treating Hope this way.

Hope was the giant panda’s name.

Renee Jennings found the zoo’s official account. Likely in response to the public outcry, they had posted a video to clarify the situation.

Onscreen, a Breeder prepared all sorts of food pandas love—bamboo, apples, carrots, and more.

But when faced with this feast, Hope remained completely indifferent.

The Breeder tried to hand-feed the panda, holding different foods to its mouth, but it refused to even open it.

The Breeder persisted for a long time before Hope was finally willing to nibble on a bit of bamboo.

The Breeder faced the camera, a look of resignation on their face. "As you can all see, it’s Hope who doesn’t want to eat. We’re not starving it or being stingy with its food. Please stop spreading false rumors."

However, the comment section under this clarification video was still flooded with skepticism from users.

You must have starved Hope until it got sick! That’s why it’s lost its appetite!

This video is just an act! I only trust what I saw with my own eyes!

So if Hope doesn’t want to eat, you just let it starve, right?

If Hope really doesn’t have an appetite, then it must be sick! You should have a vet give it a thorough examination!!!

"Renee, can you make anything of it?" Michelle Fuller asked softly.

Renee Jennings shook her head. "I have to see it in person."

Michelle Fuller asked, "So when are we going?"

"The sooner, the better." Renee put down her phone and started the car. "First, a stop at the police station."

When they arrived at the station, Renee’s gaze swept over the empty cubicles. She asked another officer and learned that some officers were out on assignment, while others were at training.

Renee had no choice but to go to Quentin Lowell’s office. She explained the situation with Hope the panda. "Director Lowell, I’d like to go to Trenwick tomorrow."

Quentin Lowell nodded calmly. After a moment of thought, he said, "It’s everyone’s duty to protect animals. How about this: have Henry Stark go with you tomorrow. That guy could use a break, anyway."

"Okay," Renee agreed with a smile. "Thank you, Director Lowell."

"Don’t mention it."

"Then I won’t take up any more of your time, Director. Goodbye." Renee stood to leave.

Quentin Lowell watched her practically fly to the door, a bit stunned. ’I wasn’t finished talking,’ he thought. ’What’s the hurry?’

「Two hours later.」

Quentin Lowell called Henry Stark into his office and explained the situation. "Just think of it as a vacation."

Henry Stark raised a dark eyebrow and made a request. "Director Lowell, I’d like to bring Zachary Conway with me."

"Bring him?" Quentin Lowell frowned suspiciously. "Why?"

Henry Stark said, "Zachary Conway is looking for a girlfriend."

At that, Quentin Lowell’s frown deepened. "What do you mean? Are you saying Zachary and Kane..."

This time, it was Henry Stark’s turn to frown.

He explained, "Zachary has a crush on Renee Jennings’s best friend. Renee will probably bring her along to Trenwick."

"Oh, I see." A look of sudden understanding dawned on Quentin Lowell’s face. His tone shifted. "So, what about you? Not interested in finding a girlfriend?"

"Nope," Henry Stark replied succinctly.

Quentin Lowell raised an eyebrow. "Don’t tell me you’re committed to being a bachelor?"

Henry Stark’s lips quirked into a half-smile. "Director, if you keep this up, I’ll be committed to the grave."

Quentin Lowell: "..."

He waved him away, exasperated. "Get out, get out. You just live to annoy me."

"Then I’ll take Zachary Conway with me tomorrow," Henry Stark said. Seeing that the director had no objections, he smiled and turned to leave the office.

When he learned that Henry Stark had secured this opportunity for him, Zachary Conway was both touched and self-conscious. "Boss, thank you for looking out for me like this... but I don’t think I’m good enough for her."