Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Cannot Be Kept Privately
Wildlife Rescue Center.
Renee Jennings and Henry Stark had just gotten out of the car when a medical staff member in a white lab coat came up to greet them.
Seeing the injuries on Annie, the young male veterinarian frowned. "How did she get so many injuries?"
"I’m not sure either." Renee Jennings shook her head, handing Annie over to him. "I’ll leave her in your hands."
The veterinarian reached out to take her, but Annie was terrified, her little hands clinging tightly to Renee Jennings.
Seeing Annie’s reaction, the veterinarian’s expression turned grave. "Besides her physical wounds, her psychological trauma is probably significant as well."
Renee Jennings recalled how Annie had instinctively hidden when the door opened earlier.
One could only imagine that she was abused every time the door opened.
"It’s okay, Annie. This is a doctor." Renee Jennings felt her trembling and soothed her in a soft voice. "This man is here to help you. He can make your wounds heal faster."
However, Annie remained resistant, burying her head forcefully in Renee Jennings’s arms.
Seeing this, the veterinarian said softly, "Right now, she depends on you the most and only trusts you. Why don’t you bring her over?"
"Okay." Renee Jennings nodded. She told Henry Stark to go on ahead, then carried Annie and followed the veterinarian toward the treatment center.
An owl suddenly flew toward her. "It’s you."
"Baldy." Renee Jennings asked, "Is your grandfather doing better?"
Baldy circled around her. "Much better! Thank you!"
Renee Jennings smiled faintly. "You’re welcome."
Baldy looked at the macaque in her arms. "Is that a macaque you’re raising?"
"No," Renee Jennings explained. "Like you, she’s a Class II protected species in our country. We can’t keep them privately."
"How did she get so many injuries?" Baldy asked, confused.
Renee Jennings’s tone grew heavy. "She ran into cruel humans."
Baldy also abhorred cruel humans. "Why doesn’t the government arrest all these cruel people?"
"They’re always cracking down and making arrests," Renee Jennings said. "But there are just too many bad people."
Baldy couldn’t help but sigh, lamenting, "If only all humans were as kind as you."
The truth was, Renee Jennings wanted to say that she hadn’t always been a good person herself.
Once they reached the treatment room, Renee Jennings placed Annie on the medical table. "Don’t be afraid, Annie. I’ll stay right here with you. Your injuries are very serious."
Annie’s little hand clutched her finger tightly, her round eyes filled with apprehension. "Scared."
"Don’t be. It’s very safe here." Renee Jennings let her hold on to her hand and ended up waiting for three hours.
Her back was starting to feel a little tired.
"This must have been hard on you." The veterinarian looked at her and smiled. "Sitting on this hard little stool for so long."
"You’ve had it harder," Renee Jennings said, smiling back at him. "You’ve been treating Annie’s wounds this whole time."
"I’m used to it." The veterinarian took off his gloves and mask, revealing a handsome and gentle face. "My name is Owen Dunn. Want to add me on WeChat? We might be seeing a lot of each other in the future."
"Sure." Renee Jennings pulled her phone out of her pocket. "I’ll scan your code. I’m Renee Jennings."
After they added each other, Owen Dunn looked at Annie, who was now covered in bandages. "Could you try to communicate with her? Let her know she doesn’t need to be afraid of this place. She’ll have to stay here to recover."
"Okay." Renee Jennings nodded.
"I’ll let you two talk, then." Owen Dunn said before leaving the treatment room.
Renee Jennings gazed at Annie’s innocent, furry face and said slowly, "Annie, are you still scared?"
"Not scared," Annie said, then added, "With you here, I’m not scared."
Renee Jennings felt both amused and helpless. "I’m very happy that you’re willing to depend on me."
Annie blinked her big, round eyes, looking at her in confusion.
Renee Jennings explained, "Like I said just now, you’re a Class II protected species, just like the owl. You can’t be kept privately."
"Are you saying you can’t keep me?" Annie asked.
Renee Jennings nodded slowly. "Yes. I don’t have the proper permits to keep a protected species. If I took you home, I would be arrested. Is it okay if you stay here and heal for now?"
Although Annie really wanted to be with Renee Jennings, she didn’t want her to get arrested.
So, she obediently nodded. "Okay, I’ll stay here."
Renee Jennings breathed a small sigh of relief and continued to explain, "Don’t worry, it’s very safe here. The people here specialize in protecting animals. They won’t hurt you."
"Okay," Annie agreed. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Then when will you have the permits?"
For a moment, Renee Jennings didn’t get it. It took her several seconds to understand what she meant.
She smiled and said, "I’ve never applied for this kind of permit before. I’ll look into it when I have time."
"Okay," Annie said.
There was a knock on the treatment room door. Owen Dunn pushed it open and walked in, followed by several staff members in uniform.
"Miss Jennings, these are the staff members responsible for animal care. Let’s let Annie get familiar with them first." Owen Dunn’s arrangements were very thoughtful.
Sensing the kindness from everyone, Annie finally stopped resisting contact with others.
Seeing this, Renee Jennings was finally able to rest easy.
"Annie, I’m leaving now," she said, waving goodbye to her.
Annie watched her leave, her furry little face filled with gratitude.
When Renee Jennings walked out of the treatment room, she realized it was already dark.
Owen Dunn came to her side and said softly, "Miss Jennings, it might be hard to get a taxi around here. Let me give you a ride to the city."
The wildlife rescue center was located in the suburbs, so Renee Jennings wasn’t going to be polite and refuse. Just as she was about to thank him and accept, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Renee Jennings."
Renee Jennings looked toward the voice and saw a man walking out from the shadows.
"Henry Stark, you haven’t left yet?" she asked, surprised.
"I’ll take you home." Henry Stark didn’t answer her question.
The truth was, it wasn’t that he hadn’t left; he had gone to take care of something and then come back.
It was hard to get a taxi in this area. Since he had brought her here, he naturally couldn’t just leave her behind by herself.
Renee Jennings turned to Owen Dunn and smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Dunn, but my colleague will take me home. Goodbye."
"Alright." Owen Dunn stuck his hands in the pockets of his lab coat and gave her a warm smile. "See you next time, then."
’See you next time?’
Henry Stark’s deep, dark eyes narrowed slightly, a strange sense of irritation rising in his chest that even he found baffling.
Renee Jennings took a few steps, and when she realized he wasn’t following, she turned back and called out, "Henry Stark, let’s go."
"Okay." Henry Stark turned and walked to her side.
Owen Dunn watched their retreating figures as they walked side by side, an unreadable emotion flickering in his eyes.
He took out his phone, opened the camera, and zoomed in until only Renee Jennings’s figure remained in the frame.
A slight smile touched Owen Dunn’s lips as he pressed the shutter button.
Looking at the slender figure of the girl on his phone, his expression gradually softened.
Renee Jennings got in the car and saw in the rearview mirror that Owen Dunn was still standing in the same spot. As if sensing she was looking, he raised his hand and waved.
