Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl followed Blake into Ezra's backyard, paying little mind to the earlier gossip, focused instead on what lay ahead.

Contrary to her expectations, Ezra's backyard was rather modest, not the grandeur she had imagined. It felt oddly familiar, though it was her first time there. Then it clicked-Beah's place seemed to be designed the same way.

As they ventured deeper, the foliage grew denser, nearly obstructing their path. Blake pointed at a house by the wall. "Grandfather's in there. Knock three times when you enter."

Pearl nodded, sensing it was probably Ezra's rule.

"I'll wait out here. Best if I don't go in," Blake added hastily, itching to leave.

"Why not?" Pearl was taken aback by this.

"He's not in the mood to see me. I'll just annoy him," Blake explained.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Pearl understood. Rather than press him, she accepted his decision.

Knocking three times on the ornate wooden door, Pearl heard a gruff voice from inside. "Leave me alone! Get lost!"

Though Ezra sounded irritated, Pearl sensed he was fine. "It's Pearl," she announced.

Ezra fell silent for a moment before granting entry with a solemn "Come in."

As expected, Blake had been right. Ezra really wished to see Pearl.

Stepping into the room, Pearl found Ezra seated on the bed, looking worn with grief.

"Master Jordan," Pearl greeted him respectfully.

"Your mom's gone, yet you still won't call me grandfather," Ezra remarked sadly, frowning in grief when he mentioned Beah, who had passed away. "They're two separate matters." Pearl held firm. She didn't feel obligated to address Ezra as family just because of Beah's passing and Ezra's sorrow.

"Then why did you come?" Ezra asked, sensing it was related to Beah.

"Blake suggested it. He said you just wanted a chat," Pearl replied.

"My grandson knows me well." Ezra smiled, a rare sight.

Curious, Pearl asked, "What did you want to discuss?" She looked around the room and sat down on a chair.

"Don't put it that way. I think you just want to ask me things about your mom." Being an old and experienced man, Ezra naturally wouldn't delve into personal matters easily.