Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Chapter 842

Winona contemplated her father's words with a mix of shock and fear. Did he mean he wanted Pearl dead?

"Dad, I don't think that's necessary. Pearl hasn't done anything too extreme. Killing her seems—"

Martin's stern gaze silenced Winona mid-sentence, leaving her feeling unsettled. "You're too soft! You won't get anywhere with that attitude, nor will you keep a man by your side."

After a moment, he sighed, disappointed that his daughter lacked the resolve he and her mother possessed. "Just do as you please. But remember, you represent the Jesseltons. Always be prepared and avoid unnecessary complications in everything you do."

These words were like a reassurance to Winona. Feeling bolstered by her father's encouragement, she nodded determinedly. "I got it, dad."

"Good." Martin stroked the stubble on his chin with a satisfied smile.

It didn’t matter even if Winona couldn't do it. He was prepared to take matters into his own hands and deal with Pearl personally.

*

Pearl had been Howard's apprentice for two weeks now.

The Jesseltons' medical approach differed from what she had learned under Simon. While Simon focused on practical medical knowledge, Howard delved into peculiar cases. Simon's fame eclipsed Howard's due to his expertise in common ailments, with rare diseases being less common.

"Pea, did you get what I explained today?" Howard smiled, stroking his beard as he glanced at the book.

Considering whether to speak up, Pearl found Howard's explanations clear and comprehensible. "Absolutely."

Howard looked pensive. "I never imagined encountering someone so naturally gifted in medicine. No wonder Simon was so fixated on you. If he learns I've taken you under my wing, he might be furious."

He paused, raising an eyebrow. "You've been here for a while now. Hasn't that old man reached out to you at all?"

Pearl felt a bead of sweat form on her forehead. "He's probably busy playing chess, not thinking of me."

Simon, who was miles away, suddenly sneezed.

"Yeah, back then, he was quite the chess enthusiast. He’d play for days," Howard reminisced with a nostalgic smile. However, his tone changed as he added, "Look at you, becoming his apprentice only to be neglected. With me, it'll be different. I'll do everything I can to cure your illness."

Did they really use to be best friends? It seemed unlikely. Pearl silently lamented this realization.

Suddenly, the phone rang and interrupted their conversation. Howard assumed it was Simon calling and said, "Speak of the devil. It must be that old man calling you, right?"

Pearl thought the same. After all, he was the only one in her circle who would call her. However, when she picked up her phone and saw the name flashing on the screen, her expression changed instantly. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Howard noticed it and stood up, preparing to leave. "I won't intrude on your call then."

Pearl nodded, locking the door behind him before answering her phone. "What’s up, Damian?"

A deep, slightly nasal voice greeted her from the other end.