Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl touched her chin. "I don't know. Why not ask him yourself?"

Esther's eyes widened in horror at the thought. "Maybe I should introduce you to other men instead. There are plenty of good guys out there..."

"If Richard hears that, he might hold a grudge against you," Pearl declared, laying down Esther's punishment.

Esther finally realized the gravity of her blunder, lamenting her predicament.

"Okay, I'll stop scaring you. Just stay put. The show's about to start," Pearl announced, checking the time with a raised hand. With only a minute left, she prepared to leave.

A minute later, the door to the adjacent room burst open with a resounding kick, followed by the clamor of footsteps, unmistakably belonging to reporters.

Before leaving, Pearl donned a mask and glasses, instructing Esther to stay put unless absolutely necessary. The latter obediently nodded as she knew that she would make matters worse if she went out.

As Pearl stepped out, she was met with a throng of reporters holding cameras, fervently snapping pictures. Curious, she peered into Winona's room and witnessed a shocking scene: Winona lying unconscious, her wedding gown torn, with a man atop her.

A blush spread across the faces of some reporters as they averted their eyes, but continued taking photos.

Winona stirred awake, bewildered and incensed by the situation. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" she demanded, struggling against the man's weight.

Earlier, she was feeling a bit sleepy and had laid down to rest. Surprisingly, she woke up to find herself in an intimate situation with a man.

However, the man continued to hold her close, yet refrained from going any further.

"Get up now! Do you realize who I am? I'll not let this slide if you cross the line!" Winona wanted to push him off, but his strength overpowered her attempts.

Ignoring her protests, the man helped cover her with her wedding gown to keep her body concealed. He spoke menacingly, "Miss Jesselton, you better behave, or I might do something to you in front of everyone."

Enraged, Winona widened her eyes. "Get out of here!"

Seizing the opportunity, Pearl gestured for the reporters to clear a path, allowing Richard to approach.

"What are you guys doing?" His fury was palpable as he demanded an explanation.

For the first time, Winona witnessed Richard erupt in anger, leaving her momentarily speechless.

As she was about to explain, the man interrupted, "You've seen it for yourself, haven't you? Can't you see? Miss Jesselton is only interested in me. She doesn't want to marry you at all!"

Winona reacted by pinching him. "What are you talking about? Rick, don't listen to him. You're the one I love. I have no idea why he suddenly appeared in my room—"NôvelDrama.Org content.

"That's enough!"

Pearl watched Richard's display of anger and disbelief with a smile. Richard was quite the actor, convincing enough to fool people. It was a pity he didn't become an actor.

Winona, not anticipating Richard's furious reaction, was struck with fear. "Rick, you know me better. I would never do something like this, especially not before our wedding. You know I've always looked forward to marrying you—"

"I said enough." His words firmly called out her sin.

Crushed, Winona collapsed on the floor, looking up at Richard in his suit and leather shoes. But he seemed to be very far from her.