Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl thought Hugo had forgotten about that, but it appeared he had reserved such a trick up his sleeve.

After finishing her work at noon, she headed to the restaurant on the third floor for lunch. As she sat down with her plate of chicken chop, someone unexpectedly took a seat across from her. Assuming it was just someone looking for a table, Pearl continued eating until she noticed the person's lingering presence. Looking up, she saw Hugo's arrogant smile.

"It's been a long while, Pearl."

"Not that long, just about a week. Feeling better, Hugo?" Pearl replied casually, unaware of the growing animosity in Hugo's expression.

Hugo had taken a few days off to recover, nursing a sprained arm from their recent encounter when he was pushed off a car. He felt embarrassed when Pearl brought up the incident as if it were a joke. "Why are you here? And why the happy face? Came to watch me make a fool of myself?"

people around, he leaned in and said, "Heard Martin paid

well-informed, Mister Hugo. Makes one wonder if

I just

by his answer, Pearl set her fork down, intrigued. "And why did you do that?" She wondered if he wanted to see Martin exact revenge on her and revel in her downfall. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

I'm worried about your safety since I've got someone

concern absurd. "Why should you care? Aren't you mad

that you saved him. But I still care about you, and I want you back even more," Hugo admitted, becoming agitated and gripping her hand. Her hand

in a rush to pull away. Instead, she stared at him

dwindled at her words. "Aren't I? My goal has always

withdrew her hand. "Your goal is to beat Richard and take over Waldorf