Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Both Richard and Pearl were seasoned racers, confident in their ability to diagnose any issues with the car themselves.

While on the road, Pearl couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude to Richard for shielding Esther. "Richard, thanks for protecting Esther," she expressed her appreciation, touched by his gesture.

She was quite surprised by it, expecting him to reveal all the suspicious details for discussion. Instead, he deliberately omitted any mention of Esther.

"I did it for you," Richard replied simply, his words enough to show how much he loved her.

Pearl was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions—gratitude, surprise, and more. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

She calmed herself down as they arrived at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Richard had chosen this secluded location to prevent any interference with their investigation.

Upon entering, they found the warehouse undisturbed. Richard unlocked the steel doors with a rusty key, revealing a red race car inside. Despite the damage, it was clearly a high-end vehicle.

Pearl's heart sank as she took in the extent of the damage, realizing the severity of Mobius's ordeal. He… suffered a lot.

"The impact must have been devastating at high speed," Pearl commented, trying to mask her sorrow. If foul play was involved, it was a despicable act indeed.

Richard examined the car closely, his eyes filled with sadness. "I suspect the brakes were tampered with."

Pearl nodded, understanding. They forced the door open to inspect the brakes, finding some damage but nothing conclusive.

"If not the brakes, then what?" she wondered aloud, puzzled by the sudden acceleration.

Richard looked troubled as he circled the car, finally turning his attention to the tires. "Do you think something was wrong with the tires?"

Pearl examined the tires, noticing they appeared darker than usual. "Is it just me, or do these tires look darker than the rest?"

Richard took a closer look, confirming Pearl's observation. The darker shade raised suspicions.

Pearl, using her medical knowledge, leaned in and detected an unusual scent amidst the familiar odors of burnt rubber and gasoline.

It was… lubricant!