Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl changed her strategy, pretending to be upset and submissive.

Seeing Pearl distressed, Hugo grew uneasy. "What's wrong? Why are you upset? If you think chopping him up is too much, I won't do it," he said, trying to sound noble.

Pearl feigned distress. "Well, I do care about him." This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.

Hugo's expression darkened at her words, his anger flaring up again.

"I'm his wife. If he dies, I'll be a widow," Pearl continued.

Hugo gripped her hand tightly. "Then you'll be with me. I'll never look down on you."

"It's not that simple. If I divorce Richard, it's just a failed marriage. But if you kill him, I'll be accused of murder. Even if I'm with you, people will judge me," Pearl explained, tears welling up.

Hugo narrowed his eyes. "Anyone who dares judge you will pay."

"But there are so many people. You can't silence them all. And with the internet, rumors can ruin my reputation forever," Pearl reasoned.

Hugo couldn't help but see the validity of her reason. "Why not just ignore them?"

"How could I? It's my reputation. I've hardly had any negative news before, and even if I did, I could always explain about it. But If Richard dies, I'll always be suspected," Pearl said dramatically. "If I have to live under this shadow for the rest of my life, I might as well die with Richard."

Only then did Hugo realize the severity of the situation. "When you said you wanted to be with me, did you mean it?" he asked softly. "Or are you trying to make me suffer for the rest of my life, maybe even driving me to the point of killing myself someday?"

After some time, he patted her hand, trying to reassure her. "Alright, I get it. Don't be upset. I'll spare his life."

Pearl smiled. "I knew you were doing this for me. Well, now I believe that you really like me."

Hugo felt a warmth in his heart. Pearl had never spoken to him so affectionately before.

Meanwhile, when the driver interrupted, "Mister Hugo, it's better to be safe than sorry. I don't think this woman has any good intentions. She's just trying to keep Richard alive, then she'll find a chance to be with him and deceive you again."

The driver's keen observation made Pearl look up at him, her eyes flashing with anger.

Hugo realized the truth but felt uneasy seeing Pearl's change in demeanor. "Pearl, if I spare him, you won't betray me, right?"

Pearl shook her head. "No, I won't. I'm just asking you to spare his life. If you don't trust me, you can keep him locked up until we're together."

With that, she reached out and held Hugo's hand. "I admit that I'm only with you right now because I want to save him. But what if I fall in love with you in the future?"