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,

asked, "So, Este is good

to split the puppies since two dogs from separate families had

grew. "What did she

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

words, imagining Esther coming

in front of one of the kids from the families. That scared the kid so much they burst into tears and

puzzled, asked, "Have you ever actually

scratching her head, replied, "Well, I saw people butchering pigs back in

"

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

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

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

the whole scenario just seemed