Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Chapter 945

Pearl watched Richard finish a call at the entrance. After that, he confidently took her hand, leading her inside.

Howard was already inside, waiting for their arrival. He stood out in his navy blue suit, his silver hair combed to perfection, exuding a mix of amiability and elegance.

"Have you two made up your minds?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.

Richard stepped forward, effectively becoming the spokesperson for both of them. "Indeed, we have. However, we're here to discuss certain terms with you," he declared, his tone firm yet open for negotiation.

Howard's initial smile wavered at this unexpected stance. "Terms? What sort of terms are you proposing?"

Richard locked eyes with him, his expression serious. "Firstly, how can we trust your word? You claim to have Pearl's mother in your custody, but where's the proof?"

"Proof?" Howard's patience seemed to thin, his hand slamming down on the table with force. "The evidence is the reality of the situation, whether you choose to accept it or not. If you're here to waste time or deceive me, then we have nothing further to discuss."

Richard shook his head, a playful smirk appearing on his face. "What if we have something that you're interested in?"

This statement caught Howard off guard, his expression changing as he processed the implication. "And what might that be?" he asked suspiciously.

"Something you consider precious," Richard replied, cryptically yet with a clear intention.

At that, Howard's composure visibly faltered, and he quickly ordered the butler, "Call Miss Jesselton, now."

The butler, sensing the urgency, questioned, "Right now, sir?"

"Now!"

However, the call to Winona went unanswered despite several attempts, leading to a palpable sense of panic.

"Sir, Miss Jesselton is missing. I can't reach her," the butler reported, a note of alarm in his voice. Seeing his employer's grave face, he suggested, "Why don't I send someone to find her now? You shouldn't worry too much for now."

Howard took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped away his sweat, and said, "Find her now. If anything happens to my granddaughter, none of you will get away with it!"

Pearl couldn't help but be amused by this unforeseen side of Howard, contrasting sharply with his usual demeanor.

Richard, meanwhile, remained unfazed. He idly played with the cups on the table, then casually stated, "Actually, there's no need for a search."

Howard, agitated, confronted Richard, grabbing him by the shoulder. "Is it you? Have you taken my Winnie? Return her immediately, or you will pay with your lives!" he threatened, his voice laced with desperation. RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

Stronger than Howard, Richard gently pushed him back several steps. "Why the panic, Mister Howard?" he asked, his voice low and teasing. "You don't seem uninterested in our proposal, right?"

Howard was taken aback by their audacity. He only thought they would find ways to locate Pearl's mother and rescue her, not anticipating they would dare to turn the tables in such a manner. He had underestimated them.

"So, you propose a trade?" Howard took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.