Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Knowing that the two of them were behind this, Pearl fell into a dilemma. Dealing with Hugo alone would have been easier, but if they were colluding together, it would pose a much bigger problem, even if the Quinton family couldn't cause much trouble.

"I don't want to become his enemy, but it looks like I have no choice."

Richard gently touched Pearl's hair. "Don't worry. Leave these things to me." Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Back at Waldorf Residence, they had both lost their appetite. They decided to rest early and go to bed.

After Mobius's passing, the Waldorf family was shrouded in gloom and silence. Dustan took Susan on a trip to lift her spirits, leaving the company in Richard's care. Hanzel rarely came home, opting to stay in another villa with Feather. This left Pearl and Richard alone in the house.

That night, Pearl was startled awake by the sudden thunder. Not being a deep sleeper, she found herself restless in bed, counting each thunderclap until she finally sat up at the fifty-ninth.

Turning on the light, she made her way downstairs for a glass of water, only to bump into Richard on the stairs, who was heading to do the same.

"Why are you still awake at this hour?" Richard handed Pearl a glass of warm water, which she sipped to calm her nerves.

"The thunder's too loud. I can't sleep," she explained.

Richard glanced out the window. "The forecast says it'll last another half hour. It should calm down after that."

"It's just so annoying." Pearl ruffled her hair in frustration.

"Why don't you come to my room for a chat?" Richard suggested suddenly.

Despite the suddenness of the offer, Pearl agreed, unable to sleep herself.

In Richard's room, Pearl, shy about getting into his bed, settled for the couch.

Richard took his place on the bed. "It's cold tonight. Want to get under the covers with me?" he offered, patting the bed.

Pearl hesitated but eventually moved to join him under the blanket. It was winter, after all.

As they lay side by side, Richard read a magazine while Pearl scrolled through her phone. The comforting scent of tea emanated from the blankets, lulling Pearl into a drowsy state.

"Feeling sleepy?" Richard asked softly.

For some reason, Pearl's drowsiness disappeared at his words. "No, not really," she replied, opening a video on her phone. She burst into laughter while watching.

"What's so funny?" Richard asked, leaning over to see.

Pearl was dazed when Richard wrapped his arm around her and drew her close. Then, he took away her phone and locked the screen, prompting Pearl to realize his intentions.

"Hey, why did you do that if you wanted to watch the video?"

Ignoring her question, Richard smoothly placed her phone on the nightstand.

Pearl tried to retreat but found herself trapped as Richard held her firmly in place.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, feeling like a mouse being toyed with.

Looking at Pearl with a mix of desire and hesitation, Richard swallowed hard before speaking hoarsely, "Do you remember what you promised me the other day?"