Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Confidence and high expectations can be achieved when you have trustworthy allies handling things for you.

The Jesselton family decided to keep their scandal private and instead grounded Winona.

"You're awesome. I wish I could be as crafty as you," Esther remarked, relishing in their triumph.

"It's not a good thing, really. You don't need to learn this. I'll always have your back if anyone tries to bully you," Pearl reassured Esther with a smile.

Esther realized Pearl was teasing her and feigned disappointment, pretending to sob. "You think I'm dumb, don't you?"

James chimed in, adding insult to injury, "Well, aren't you? You might not even notice if someone betrays you."

Initially, James saw Esther as clever and charming. Yet, the more time he spent with her, the more he realized she was somewhat naive and silly.

But he was okay with that and chose to accept her as she was.

"What are you talking about? James, remember all those problems you had at the law firm? Didn't I help you sort some of them out?" Esther raised her chin smugly.

about that civil

"Yeah,

"So, Este

chuckled, but James tapped her head playfully. "They were figuring out how to split the puppies since two dogs from separate families had mated.

grew. "What did she

solution was to slaughter the dog and divide it by weight." S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

a loss for words, imagining Esther

how to butcher a dog in front of one of the kids from the families. That scared the kid so much they burst into tears and refused to take care of the puppies. As a result, all the puppies

puzzled, asked, "Have you ever actually killed a

I saw people butchering pigs back in the village when

"

"Don't you think her 'solution' was a bit over the

frowned, unhappy with the criticism. "But didn't

to lighten the mood, Pearl patted Esther on the head and forced

the whole scenario just