Chapter 197: 14 Chinese Alligators Have Escaped
Chapter 197: Chapter 197: 14 Chinese Alligators Have Escaped
Renee Jennings saw Rhea Dempsey walking over with a bag of groceries and went to take it from her. "Mom, isn’t there a supermarket right at the entrance to the villa complex?"
"Your dad and I went in for a look, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to buy anything." Rhea Dempsey had a horrified expression. "It’s too expensive! Two tomatoes for twenty-six yuan, and half a kilo of yu choy for nineteen-ninety!"
Renee Jennings smiled. "That’s normal. They sell organic vegetables."
"I know, but I just can’t accept those prices," Rhea Dempsey said as she put the vegetables and meat into the freezer. "Your dad and I took the electric scooter to a nearby farmers’ market to buy these."
Renee Jennings pursed her lips and murmured, "I guess living in a villa really is pretty inconvenient."
Michelle Fuller’s family lived in a villa and had to hire several people to help out.
’It seems that without enough money, living in a villa is actually more of a burden.’
’Why hasn’t 009 issued any missions recently?’
’I really want to make some money!’
Worried that Renee Jennings might think she was pouring cold water on things, Rhea Dempsey added with a smile, "It might not be as convenient, but it’s comfortable to live here. Plus, it gives you bragging rights."
"Yeah," Diana Jennings said with a gentle smile. "Even Blueberry and the others are excited."
"Of course." Rhea Dempsey glanced back at the cats and dogs scampering around in the distance, her eyes narrowing into slits as she smiled. "They’re clever little devils."
Renee Jennings looked over as well, thinking of the dogs at the animal protection organization.
"Sis, Mom, I want to discuss something with you."
"What is it?" Rhea Dempsey asked.
Diana Jennings said softly, "Go ahead, Renee."
Renee Jennings said, "Well, now that we’re living in a villa, there’s plenty of space, and we have two yards. I was thinking of bringing those stray dogs from Prosperity Gardens here to live with us."
Rhea Dempsey subconsciously frowned. "But that would mean so much poop every day..."
Renee Jennings said with a smile, "Mom, I want to hire someone specifically to take care of them—prepare their food, scoop their poop, and all that."
Rhea Dempsey shot her a look. "Why waste money like that? Mom’s retired now and has nothing to do."
"But I can’t let you get too tired." Renee Jennings had eight million in her bank account. As long as she didn’t spend it recklessly, it would last a long time.
"Let’s not hire anyone for now. I’ll handle it for the time being." After saying that, Rhea Dempsey added, "But hiring someone for cleaning and cooking wouldn’t be a bad idea. Your dad and I can pay their salary."
She didn’t like doing housework.
Now that they were living in such a big place, the housework would be the death of her.
"Okay," Renee Jennings nodded. "Then I’ll go pick them up tomorrow."
Rhea Dempsey closed the refrigerator door. "Fine."
Diana Jennings had the ingredients prepped and was washing the cutting board. "Should we buy some dog beds online first? The prices in physical stores are a bit expensive."
"Sis, thanks for the reminder. I completely forgot." Renee Jennings clapped her hands. "We’ll also need to buy more cat litter and train them to bury their waste. That way, cleaning up won’t be so gross."
Rhea Dempsey asked with a grin, "So, can we train them to do housework?"
**
The next day, Renee Jennings was planning to go to the animal protection organization to pick up the dogs, but she suddenly received a call from Faye Wyatt after lunch.
Fourteen Chinese alligators had escaped from the Alligator Pavilion at Lynfell Wildlife Park. So far, only two had been found within the park, while the remaining twelve were still missing.
Although Chinese alligators are a relatively docile species that doesn’t typically attack humans, they can still be threatening and aggressive under certain circumstances.
Faye Wyatt’s tone held a hint of pleading. "Renee, the director of Lynfell Wildlife Park knows that I know you, and he asked me to invite you to Lynfell to help. I was wondering if you could find the time to go?"
Renee Jennings understood the gravity of the situation and immediately agreed. "I can. Give me the contact’s phone number."
"Thank you!" Faye Wyatt was extremely grateful. "Send me your location. I’ll come pick you up, and we’ll head out together."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Renee Jennings sent her location to Faye Wyatt on WeChat and then sent a message to Henry Stark to let him know.
As she was busy packing her clothes, her phone rang again.
It was a call from Henry Stark.
"What’s up?" Renee Jennings put the call on speaker and set the phone aside.
Henry Stark’s tone was slightly serious. "Renee, where are you now? I’m having Sawyer go with you."
"I’m at home. Director Wyatt is coming to pick me up."
"Okay, I’ll have Sawyer head over to you."
"You don’t need to trouble Sawyer."
"It’s an order from Director Lowell. You’re a special consultant hired by us, and your safety is very important."
Since that was the case, Renee Jennings didn’t refuse. "Alright, I’ve moved. I’ll send Sawyer a new location."
At the police station.
When Sawyer received the address Renee Jennings sent, he couldn’t help but exclaim, "Oh my god..."
"What’s wrong?" Kyle Morgan looked over suspiciously.
Zachary Conway and Levi Hollis propped their chins on their hands, their faces full of curiosity.
Sawyer looked shocked. "Renee Jennings moved."
"So she moved. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?" Kyle Morgan skillfully twirled a pen in his fingers and teased, "Don’t tell me she asked you to help with the move, did she?"
"No." Sawyer shook his head.
Zachary Conway asked, "Then why are you so surprised?"
Sawyer said, "She moved to Eastgate Villa..."
"Eastgate Villa, huh." Kyle Morgan thought nothing of it. "I thought she... Wait! Did you just say Renee Jennings moved into Eastgate Villa?"
Sawyer nodded. "Yep!"
Kyle Morgan shot up from his seat, his face a mask of disbelief.
He recalled the time they went to the villa in the northern suburbs to investigate the Grace Sullivan case. Renee Jennings had said she was moving to Eastgate Villa. He’d thought she was joking back then, but to think...
"So Renee Jennings is secretly a super-rich woman! She hid it so well!" Zachary Conway slapped the table and stood up. "If I had known, I would have pursued her!"
Levi Hollis said leisurely, "Actually, I have a secret I’ve never told you guys. I’ve had a crush on Renee Jennings for a long time!"
"What a coincidence." Kyle Morgan scratched his head shyly. "Looks like we share the same secret."
The corner of Sawyer’s mouth twitched. He was utterly speechless at these guys.
Henry Stark walked out of his office. His deep, sharp, dark eyes swept over them as he asked in a cold tone, "Got too much free time?"
Kyle Morgan and the others immediately pretended to be busy.
Henry Stark looked at Sawyer and said flatly, "I’ll drive you to Renee Jennings."
He had originally planned to arrange for someone to drive Sawyer, but he changed his mind after hearing what they said.
"Roger that!" Sawyer immediately replied.
After the two left, Kyle Morgan started gossiping while staring at Henry Stark’s retreating back.
"Is the boss that free? He’s personally driving Sawyer to find Renee Jennings?"
"Damn, the boss sure has a good eye. He figured out Renee Jennings was a rich woman early on!"
"Do you think the boss seems like the type of guy who’d want to be a kept man?"
"..."
A black Porsche slowly pulled up in front of Villa No. 8.
Faye Wyatt hadn’t expected Renee Jennings to be living in Eastgate Villa.
Sitting in the back seat, she lowered the window and looked out, the corners of her lips turning up slightly.
’So this girl is this well-off. No wonder she rejected my gifts of jewelry and cash.’
A police car suddenly stopped behind the Porsche.
Henry Stark got out of the driver’s seat, walked over to the Porsche’s door, and said in a calm but serious tone, "Auntie Faye, take good care of her."