Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl and Richard instantly sensed trouble when they spotted the speeding car heading their way.

"Let's split up and run!" Richard shouted.

They dashed in opposite directions, running as fast as they could.

The car made a sudden sharp turn, chasing after Pearl. She sprinted ahead, but she couldn't outrun the car for long. Before she knew it, the car cut off her path.

Breathless, Pearl stopped and faced the car.

A man in a suit emerged, followed by another man in black holding an umbrella, like he was there just for the man in the suit.

"Long time no see, Pearl," said Hugo, smirking at her drenched state with his eyebrows slightly raised.

"Why don't we get Miss Pearl a jacket from the car? She looks like she's been caught in this rain," the guy with the umbrella said.

Pearl snapped, "Save your hypocritical words, Hugo. What do you want?"

"What do I want? Seriously? What do you think?" Hugo stepped forward, but Pearl stepped back.

"Why are you backing away? I'm not some monster. I won't bite." Hugo chuckled. "And trust me, I like you too much to hurt you."

Pearl found Hugo's persistence irritating. "Could you just stop showing up? You're really gross, you know?"

"Gross? How does liking someone and wanting to get closer to her make me gross?" Hugo shrugged, looking helpless. All content is © N0velDrama.Org.

"Enough. Why are you here?" Pearl knew he had a reason, especially after that car stunt.

"You're not planning to silence us, are you?"

Hugo was surprised to hear this. "Why would I do that? I like you so much, so there's no way I'll kill you. But if someone has to be silenced, it's Richard."

"But you're here for me now. You probably didn't even notice Richard."

Hugo glanced at the man holding the umbrella, smiled, and faced Pearl again. "Do you think I came unprepared?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I've got someone else after him."

Hugo's grin sent shivers down Pearl's spine. Fearing for Richard, she exclaimed, "Richard is your brother!"

"Brother? Don't be ridiculous. He stopped being my brother a long time ago. Isn't it too late to play the emotional card now?"

Feeling desperate, Pearl pleaded, "What do you want to let him go?"

"You don't get to negotiate with me. As long as I kill Richard, you're mine." Hugo shook his head, dismissing her request.

Pearl knew she couldn't sway him. As long as Richard lived, she'd never be with Hugo. She'd lied to him before, and he wouldn't fall for it again. Killing Richard seemed like the only way out.

"You do know it's against the law to murder someone?" Pearl tried to reason.

Hugo's smile didn't waver. "Of course, I do. But who said I'll be the one doing the dirty work?"

Pearl sneered. "The man you've commanded to kill Richard is still on you."

"Why do I have to take the blame?"

Pearl was shocked. "Are you saying you'll pin it on Winona?"