Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Save Me, I Want to Go Home

To avoid arousing the villagers’ suspicion, Renee Jennings couldn’t go to the scene herself, so she had to entrust the task to Inky and Ash.

Her heart pounded like a drum. She worried that Inky wouldn’t be able to persuade the family’s livestock to help.

"Renee, I’ll do my best!" Inky could sense Renee Jennings’s anxiety. "If I can’t convince them to help, I’ll go cause some mayhem myself!"

Renee Jennings reached out to stroke its feathers, smiling. "Thank you, Inky."

"You’re welcome!" With that, Inky and Ash flew out the window together.

Renee Jennings stood at the window, watching their silhouettes gradually merge with the night. Her brow furrowed, her heart weighed down as if by a heavy stone.

If her plan failed, Evelyn Hollis would have to spend the rest of her life trying to heal from the trauma of this day.

"Don’t put so much pressure on yourself." Henry Stark came to her side, his tone calm. "You’ve already done everything you can."

"He’s right, Renee Jennings," Sawyer added, walking over and taking her arm. "We can only do our part and leave the rest to fate."

Renee Jennings knew they were worried about her. A warmth spread through her chest, and a faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you."

"I think you should see a therapist when you have time, Renee Jennings. Get some counseling," Kyle Morgan suggested earnestly.

"I agree," Zachary Conway added. "When we get back, I’ll show you how to book an appointment. It’s free."

In their line of work, you needed a strong heart.

Renee Jennings had been exposed to so many cases in less than half a year; it was inevitable that her mental state would be affected.

Henry Stark frowned, a wave of self-reproach washing over him.

’How could I have overlooked something so important?’

Listening to their concerned words, Renee Jennings nodded solemnly. "Okay. When we get back, I’ll have to ask you to show me how to make an appointment."

Kyle Morgan chuckled. "Don’t say that. We’re all in this together. No need for formalities."

After about a minute, Renee Jennings’s expression grew serious. "I still don’t think we can just sit here and wait. I need to come up with another plan."

This way, if Inky and Ash failed, Evelyn Hollis wouldn’t be at the mercy of that club-footed scumbag.

"What do you have in mind?" Henry Stark asked softly.

Renee Jennings’s dark eyes met his. "I saw some snakes nearby from the window earlier today."

"Snakes!" Sawyer’s pupils constricted, and she couldn’t suppress a shudder. "That’s terrifying!"

"You can speak to snakes, too?" Kyle Morgan stared at her in shock.

"I think so." The language of snakes was in her repertoire, but she’d never actually encountered one before.

"’You think so?’" Zachary Conway frowned disapprovingly. "What if you can’t communicate with it and it bites you?"

Levi Hollis chimed in, "It’s not exactly easy to get to a hospital from out here in the sticks."

Renee Jennings knew they were just worried about her. She said gently, "Don’t worry, I’m confident I can handle it."

Henry Stark’s voice was grave. "How confident are you?"

"Eighty percent," Renee Jennings replied conservatively.

Henry Stark considered this for a few seconds, then his deep-set eyes met hers again. "Alright, let’s give it a try. I’ll go with you to find one."

Renee Jennings nodded. "Let’s go now."

"I’ll go too!" Kyle Morgan chimed in immediately.

Not to be outdone, Zachary Conway added, "Count me in."

Sawyer, who was terrified of snakes, said meekly, "In that case... I’ll just wait here for the good news."

"It’s fine, just Henry Stark and I will go," Renee Jennings explained. "Too many people will only scare them off."

"Alright. Be careful, you two," Zachary Conway urged.

"We will." Renee Jennings and Henry Stark headed downstairs together.

The two of them opened the door and went outside, circling the building. Guided by the faint light of a phone, they stepped into the overgrown weeds.

**

Inky and Ash arrived at Auntie Mayer’s house.

They figured that since pigs were the largest, their capacity for destruction would be the greatest. So, their first stop was to persuade the pigs in the pen.

But after just a few words, the pigs started dozing off, their snores rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Inky was beside itself. "These pigs are the worst! I wasn’t even finished talking, and they fell asleep!"

"Can’t be helped. They’re pigs, after all," Ash said, taking it in stride.

"This is infuriating!" Inky was so angry it pecked the pigs in retaliation, but they just continued to sleep soundly.

Knowing it couldn’t waste any more time on the pigs, Inky went to find the dog.

Auntie Mayer only kept one dog, a big yellow one named Goldie, who was curled up lazily on the ground.

"Want some meat?" Inky asked, flying down in front of him.

Goldie stared at the little bird that had suddenly appeared, his eyes instantly growing wary.

He didn’t answer Inky’s question. Instead, he tensed, ready to attack.

"My friend the dog, I know a human with lots of meat. Interested?" Inky asked again.

The next second, Goldie lunged.

Terrified, Inky scrambled back, losing a few feathers to the dog’s sharp claws.

"What is your problem?" Inky patted its chest with a wing after the close call. "I was trying to have a nice chat with you! It’s one thing not to answer, but did you have to try and scare me to death?"

Goldie barked loudly. "This king can’t be bothered with you!"

Inky was speechless.

’What an unreasonable dog,’ Inky thought. ’What rotten luck!’

"This dog’s a brainless brute. This isn’t going to work," Inky said, turning to Ash. "Next!"

"Right." Ash flew toward the chicken coop.

Inky followed, calling out to the chickens in the coop, "Hello in there! Could you help me with something? I’ll give you something tasty to eat."

A rooster asked curiously, "What kind of help?"

「In the room.」

Evelyn Hollis was jolted awake by a bucket of cold water.

She opened her eyes, saw the face covered in dark spots, and nearly fainted from fright all over again.

Auntie Mayer leaned in, sizing her up.

Seeing her, Evelyn Hollis immediately grabbed her clothes, choking out, "Ma’am, please help me... I want to go home..."

"Now, now, dear." Auntie Mayer pried her hands off, a cold smile on her face. "Since you’re here, you might as well settle in. Live a good life with Bobby. If you can give him a few big, healthy sons, we’ll be sure to treat you well."

"What did you say?" Evelyn Hollis’s eyes widened in terror, her voice trembling as she asked, "You want me to bear his children?"

"That’s right." Auntie Mayer nodded. "Our family spent sixty thousand yuan on you. You need to give Bobby at least six sons."

"Never!" Evelyn Hollis shook her head frantically. "I’d rather die than bear his children!"

The words had barely left her mouth when Auntie Mayer’s hand cracked across her face. "Honey, you don’t have a choice in the matter!"

"You said you spent sixty thousand, right?" Evelyn Hollis pleaded, ignoring the stinging pain in her cheek. "I have money! I’ll give you double, just please let me go, okay?"

"We don’t want money!" Auntie Mayer gripped her chin, patting her cheek with her other hand. "We want you to give Bobby sons! The water’s over there. Get yourself cleaned up. You’re starting tonight!"

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