Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

James couldn't read her expression but could guess what she was thinking. He chuckled, the sound echoing in the quiet space. "So, you'd prefer Esther dating me, huh?" Pearl shook her head and regarded him with a scrutinizing gaze. "I'm not sure if you're a good person, so I'll continue keeping an eye on you."

Despite being better than Mobius in terms of family, temperament, capability, and looks, Pearl remained cautious because James seemed like a schemer. "Since you're Esther's best friend, I won't let you down," James assured, his eyes softening as he looked at the unconscious Esther. "Esther, I'll make you mine."

Pearl was shocked. She had something on her mind and ended up blurting it out, "I want to know how you met Esther." Why did he suddenly develop such strong feelings for her? James didn't try to hide anything and just said, "I fell for her three years ago when she first stepped on stage." It was love at first sight, plain and simple, with no elaborate buildup. Pearl felt a bit foolish. She had thought numerous theories about why he might have fallen for Esther, but the reality was far simpler than she had imagined. Was he just another fan turned admirer?

Suddenly, a memory struck her. Her voice trembled slightly. "Three years ago, Esther did a series of photoshoots and sold out all her copies. Was that..."

had done a series of photoshoots, and the sales had surpassed those

out who. After that, her rise to stardom had been smooth sailing. She became a B-lister within a year,

could one make a girl happy

but also touched. This man

might have been partly due to him. Her

to you two dating," Pearl concluded. James seemed willing to spend money on Esther, treat her well, and protect her. There didn't seem to be any downsides.

and offered