Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"Why are you here?" Pearl was at a loss. The thing you fear most will always appear.

"Did I interrupt your time together?"

Richard's voice sounded calm, but Pearl could sense his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Of course not. I'm just a little surprised," she replied.

Richard glanced at Silas, who was happily washing dishes inside. "Explain. Why is he here?" As he took in Pearl's pajamas, he pieced together that they had spent the night together. His eyes darkened. "He came to talk but couldn't get a taxi, so he stayed here," Pearl explained quickly. "He slept on the couch. We didn't interact."

If it had been anyone else, Richard might have let it go. But this was Silas, a man who kept thirsting for Pearl.

lying to me?" His expression turned cold, his eyes piercing. There was a faint smell of alcohol as he entered the house. If they

Both scenarios angered Richard.

at the sight of Richard's

up. I'll mop the floor next... Oh. Mister Richard is here

Richard standing there, Silas went over to invite him. "I'm

to cook for you?" Not only was Silas cooking, but he was also inviting him in as if he belonged there. He couldn't stand to be around Silas

the washcloth to the floor, then smirked. "Are you missing something? You're not engaged to Miss Winona, yet you're already cozying up to Pearl the day after. Listen to yourself. You're talking like she offended you." Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

Richard. He had ignored Pearl before, but now

Pearl intervened. Every word Silas spoke felt like