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.

talking about that

nodded. "Yeah, that

Pearl asked, "So, Este is good

her head playfully. "They were figuring out how to split the puppies since two dogs from separate families had mated. With only five

grew. "What did she

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

words, imagining Esther coming up with such an outlandish

to describe how to butcher a dog in front of one of the kids from the families. That scared the kid so

puzzled, asked, "Have you ever actually killed a

"Well, I saw people butchering pigs

"

felt helpless. "Don't you think her 'solution'

unhappy with the criticism.

head and forced a laugh. "Well, it's certainly one

the whole scenario just seemed