Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

At Richard's office, Winona gazed at Richard, trying to appear alluring as she spoke in a coquettish voice, "Rick, it's the weekend tomorrow. Can you go shopping with me? It won't take long." Although her request seemed pitiful, that was the tactic she chose.

"I don't have time. I have a meeting tomorrow."

Winona suddenly felt brave. "Rick, if the meeting isn't important, could you postpone it and go on a date with me?" She was used to being spoiled and having her wishes indulged, but she momentarily forgot she was dealing with Richard.

"No, Winona," Richard responded firmly. He felt a touch of discomfort, but he didn't let it show. Strangely, thoughts of Pearl unexpectedly crossed his mind.

Pearl wouldn't have made such an unreasonable request. He pondered this quietly, oblivious to the sadness creeping over the woman beside him.

are you zoning out?" Winona asked, her intuition telling her that

"Nothing."

in a jealous tone, "Who are you thinking about?

gaze turned icy.

dejected. Richard had previously played along and attempted to console her, but when a man grew agitated, it meant her

something, prompting her to retrieve her phone from her bag. "Don't be angry, Rick. Yesterday, when I passed by Cerubleu, I had

her motive, as he had discerned her underlying intentions. However, since the conversation involved Pearl, he chose not to appear too invested. "No,

she said was true. You might hate her less after hearing it." Winona acted as if she

if he overdid

smiled and played the recording when she