Chapter 2

In that instant, I was branded a bully and a thief that everyone hated. They actually cheered together as they watched the python swallow me whole.

Yvonne used my python to skyrocket to fame at the National Day Gala, earning the title of a prodigy in animal training. Brandon even proposed to her in front of the crowd, making them the envied couple who went viral online.

I could still feel the phantom pain of being crushed as I recalled my death in my past life. I hurriedly pushed Yvonne aside and said with a faint smile, "I'm looking forward to your performance. It's getting late, so I'm going to go pick the animal I want to train. I'll leave you all to it, then."

I immediately turned and walked away after saying that.

I looked at the python in its cage after arriving at the training facility, feeling a heavy weight in my chest. I had rescued this python from a tiger three years prior.

I knew how hard it was to control cold-blooded animals, so I had used my family's secret treasure and my own blood to raise it, nurturing it for three years just to get it to submit to me. I never imagined that it would suddenly turn on me and kill me during the audition for the National Day Gala.

I called my lecturer with those thoughts in mind and requested to release the python back into the wild. I wasn't going to train it anymore. I wouldn't budge even when my lecturer, who was confused about my decision, tried to talk me out of it, so they eventually gave in and agreed to my request.

It was on that very evening that someone from the Animal Control Bureau came and hauled the python.

I had to train another animal for the National Day Gala audition since I no longer had the python. I chose to train three timber wolves after much consideration, knowing that aside from dogs, wolves were the most loyal animals, and timber wolves were especially ferocious—strong enough to take down a bear.

I wasn't taking any chances in this life. I had no idea how Yvonne had managed to turn my python against me in my past life, but by choosing not to train it at all, I was sure I could avoid that fate.

I spent the following weeks focusing entirely on the timber wolves, and soon, the day of the auditions drew near.

I had just gone over to the office to hand in my audition registration form when my lecturer asked me to stay over to help organize some paperwork.

I happened to find out that the animals Yvonne intended to train for the audition were timber wolves as well. I immediately felt a chill run down my spine. I didn't believe for a second it was a coincidence.

I hurriedly took my form back, came up with an excuse, and walked out of the office.

I happened to come across Brandon and Yvonne tugging at each other on my way back.

Upon spotting me, Brandon hurriedly pushed Yvonne away. "It's not what it looks like, Tamara. I only think of Yvonne as a sister.

"You see, Yvonne has been training wolves lately and was saying how she was frightened of them. She's completely hopeless compared to you, Tamara. You're truly the best since you can tame all kinds of animals."

I would have been overjoyed if I had heard something like that in my past life, but now they just made me sick. "You and Yvonne are perfect for each other, Brandon. You can just make it official with her. You two should stay bound together forever—till death do you part."

Yvonne burst into tears, saying, "You've got it all wrong, Tamara. Brandon and I are strictly platonic. I'll stop seeing him altogether if it upsets you. Please don't withdraw your financial support just because you're mad at me, Tamara."

Brandon's expression immediately hardened. "You're being jealous over nothing, Tamara. Yvonne and I are only friends, so stop being so narrow-minded and petty. You'd better apologize to Yvonne this instant."

I scoffed and said, "You want me to apologize to her? You must be delusional! You and I are no longer together, Brandon! Who the hell do you think you are to order me around?"

I then fixed my gaze on Yvonne and asked, "I thought you said you were going to train a python for the audition, so why did you switch to a timber wolf all of a sudden?"