Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"That was hilarious! Did you see Howard's face? It was as if the ground had swallowed him!" Pearl laughed until she was almost out of breath. "Feeling better now?" Richard's voice softened as he talked to Pearl.

"Absolutely, I feel fantastic." Pearl got up, stretching leisurely. "And all I did today was enjoy the spectacle and come out on top without lifting a finger." If only every day could be as relaxing as today. Richard, catching her mood, allowed a smile to break through his usually serious demeanor. "You won't have to worry about a thing from here on out. I've got you covered for all your lazy days ahead." Pearl raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Is this what married life feels like?"

"I can make you happy like this every day."

Pearl, caught off guard by his directness, felt a rush of warmth reminiscent of her first love, her cheeks tinged with a blush. "Don't say things like that. We're still in public," she protested, though they were alone.

from Pearl's public bravado to her

be coming by later, right? Let's head

the chance to tease her further, but seeing her blush, he couldn't help but push a

too delicate for such jests at the moment, he opted for a gentler approach, affectionately pinching her nose. "Okay, let's go

made his way to fetch Pearl's mother, Pearl and Richard returned to Waldorf

apparently having been told simply to stay put. Upon entering, Pearl caught Winona in the midst of a lock-picking attempt, her surprise evident as the door unexpectedly swung open. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

are you doing here? Did you kidnap me?" Winona refused to accuse