Free Web NovelChapter 81: Chapter 81: It Was Actually Willing to Return the Baby to Humans
"Alright, I’ll have them leave." Renee Jennings turned back to Henry Stark, her brow furrowed. "It wants you all to go."
Henry Stark’s dark brows drew together, a flicker of disapproval in his eyes.
If they left and Renee failed to communicate with the macaque, she would be held responsible for anything that happened to the baby.
This wasn’t something she should have to bear.
Ethan Hawthorne also disagreed. "This is absurd!" he chided. "Can you take responsibility if something goes wrong?"
A flicker of annoyance crossed Renee Jennings’s face. "Do you have any other ideas right now?"
Henry Stark’s lips thinned as he fell silent.
It was true. They had no other options right now.
Ethan Hawthorne opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Captain Harrow, trust Consultant Jennings." Henry Stark then led the others to the stairwell.
Ethan Hawthorne looked like he wanted to say more, but Henry Stark pulled him away.
The people watching from the opposite building were confused by the scene.
"Why is everyone leaving?"
"What’s going on? Are they giving up?"
Once their figures had vanished, Renee Jennings turned back to the macaque. "They’re gone," she said gently. "Can we have a proper talk now?"
The macaque didn’t speak, merely studying her with a frown.
Renee Jennings continued, "Could you come down from there? It’s too dangerous where you are. I’m worried about you and the little baby."
The macaque glanced at the human baby in its arms, its brow softening slightly before it hopped down from the railing.
Seeing this, Renee Jennings’s expression brightened, and she quietly sighed in relief.
She slowly crouched down and asked softly, "My name is Renee Jennings. What’s your name?"
"Annie."
"Okay, Annie." Renee Jennings looked at the baby in her arms and tentatively asked, "Are your arms getting tired? Would you like me to hold the baby for a bit?"
Annie shook her head. "No!"
"Alright, you can keep holding the baby. Just tell me when you get tired." Renee Jennings made sure to use the gentlest tone possible. "Annie, when was your child taken by those bad people?"
At the mention of this, Annie’s expression grew complex, a mix of anger and sorrow. "It was the night before last. A few humans... they snatched my Yumi..."
The night before last, Annie and two of her friends had been playing with Yumi in the woods when three humans suddenly appeared.
They were terrified. As they tried to run, one of the humans grabbed Yumi, clamping a large hand over her mouth.
The other two humans seized her and her friends and injected them with something. They passed out shortly after, and when they woke up, Yumi was gone.
Annie gazed at the human baby in her arms, her face full of sorrow. "We searched the entire forest, but we couldn’t find Yumi. Those humans must have taken her!"
"I understand." Renee Jennings frowned, her fair face taking on a serious expression. Her tone was solemn. "The police will help you. Your species is protected by law. Stealing macaque cubs is a crime, and it’s absolutely not allowed."
Annie, who only partially understood, frowned deeply. "Then how are you going to help me?"
The question caught Renee Jennings off guard. "I’m not a police officer," she said softly. "But I can ask them for you?"
Annie nodded.
Renee Jennings pressed her lips together and spoke again. "Could you give me the baby now? His mother can’t find him, and she’s just as worried as you are about Yumi."
Hearing this, Annie blinked, and a look of guilt crossed her furry face.
She walked over to Renee Jennings and handed her the human infant. "I’m sorry, baby’s mama. I was just so worried because Yumi is gone."
"I’m sure she understands." Renee Jennings took the infant, the weight on her heart finally lifting. "Thank you, Annie."
The reporters from the media outlets gathered in the surrounding buildings were stunned.
The macaque had actually returned the baby to a human!
Renee Jennings quickly handed the baby to Sawyer in the stairwell, then turned to Henry Stark. "Annie wants to file a police report. Her child was stolen by humans."
"Annie?" Henry Stark looked at her, his expression earnest. "Is that the macaque’s name?"
Renee Jennings nodded. "Yes."
Standing to the side, Ethan Hawthorne was completely floored.
’This... How is this possible?’
’This young woman he’d been so skeptical of... she actually managed to save the baby!’
Thinking of his earlier attitude toward Renee Jennings, Ethan Hawthorne’s cheeks flushed. He was mortified and guilty, his eyes full of apology.
Renee Jennings didn’t notice his reaction, however. She pulled Henry Stark back onto the rooftop.
Henry Stark glanced down at his wrist, held by a slender, fair hand. The color of his eyes deepened, and the tips of his ears quietly grew warm.
The two of them approached Annie. Renee Jennings let go of his hand as she crouched down. "Annie, this is a police officer. You can ask him whatever you need to. I’ll translate for you."
Henry Stark crouched down as well, habitually presenting his badge.
Annie leaned in for a look. Though she didn’t understand what it was, she nodded and asked expectantly, "Can you help me find my child, Yumi?"
Henry Stark looked to Renee Jennings.
After she translated what Annie had said, his handsome face darkened, a heavy gloom settling over his features.
His thin lips parted, his voice low and firm. "The illegal theft of a macaque cub has crossed a legal line. The bureau will treat this matter with the utmost seriousness, but we can’t determine a specific course of action until after a full investigation."
Renee Jennings relayed Henry Stark’s words to Annie in simpler terms.
Her newfound calm was shattered as if by an invisible gale, and she grew agitated once more.
Annie’s eyes were rimmed with red, her voice choked and anxious. "Will my Yumi be hurt? What if she’s injured?"
Whether from agitation or fear, her small body trembled.
Renee Jennings watched her with concern. "Annie, we’ll do everything we can to find Yumi as soon as possible."
"Then go find my Yumi, quickly." Annie reached out with her two little hands, tugging hard on Henry Stark’s clothes. "Yumi must be so scared right now!" freewebnovёl.ƈom
Henry Stark glanced at Renee Jennings before quickly getting to his feet and reassuring Annie. "Okay, I’ll go look for her right now."
Renee Jennings looked at the little macaque and sighed inwardly.
As she was about to head downstairs, good news arrived from the system.
[System 009: Congratulations on completing the Level 1 hidden mission "Rescue the Human Infant." Reward granted: Alligatoridae Dictionary, 100 points.]
Renee Jennings paused. A faint smile touched her lips, and she descended the stairs with a new lightness in her step.
When she reached the first floor, she saw Ethan Hawthorne.
Renee Jennings sensed he had a poor opinion of her and didn’t plan on saying hello, but to her surprise, he called out to her.
"Consultant Jennings."
Renee Jennings stopped and turned to look at him, blinking. "Are you talking to me?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes." Ethan Hawthorne wrung his hands, his face a picture of sheepishness. "I’m sorry, Consultant Jennings. For my behavior earlier."
Renee Jennings hadn’t expected an apology and gave an awkward smile. "It’s fine, I get it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. See you."
As Ethan Hawthorne watched her leave, he felt a deepening sense of shame.
