Chapter 817


    Hugo was right behind Richard, hands in his pockets. He watched the unfolding drama with a


    curious gaze, asionally stroking his chin as if deeply entertained.


    Pearl crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.


    "Rick, my hands are really hurting..." Winona said, holding out her hands in an exaggerated way.


    Richard hesitated for a moment before helping her up, their closeness leaving Pearl at a loss for


    words. It struck Pearl that maybe letting theme to the set was a mistake; it felt like trouble was


    brewing.


    "Rick, you saw that, didn''t you? Pearl pushed me for no reason. You''ve got to stand up for me,"


    Winonained, looking down but sneaking peeks at Pearl.


    Pearl was quite puzzled. These women were usually so pleasant, but they turned hostile toward


    her.


    First Abby, then Jenny, and now Winona. Richard''s romantic troubles seemed to follow a pattern.


    Pearl, unfazed, challenged, "Got any proof I pushed you without reason?"


    Winona was speechless, caught off guard by Pearl''s admission. Pearl''s tactic left her scrambling,


    her nned usations falling apart.


    "Is it because Rick is kind to me? Are you jealous? I get it, moving on from someone as great as


    Rick is tough." Winona tried to provoke Pearl, touching a sore spot.


    Esther saw through Winona''s tactic and jumped in to defend Pearl. "Rick this, Rick that, why so


    noisy? Can''t you say anything else?"


    Winona, who could handle a straightforward Pearl, was lost on how to deal with a crazy person like


    Esther. After all, she couldn''t act outrageously in front of Richard.


    "Este, I''ve done nothing to you. Why attack me?" Winona pleaded, trying to maintain herposure


    in front of Richard.


    Esther''s response was fierce. "Done nothing? We both know the truth. But let me tell you, mess with


    Pearl, and I''ll set your hair on fire!" she threatened, making Winona instinctively protect her hair.


    "You can''t do that, Este. It''s against thew..." Winona muttered angrily.


    Pearl, seeing Winona''s defiance, suggested, "Let''s check the security cameras. That''ll show us the


    truth."


    The mention of surveince footage made Winona panic.


    "Did you hear that?" Esther raised her chin smugly.


    "ording to Article 20 of the Criminal Law, actions taken to stop an ongoing infringement in order


    to protect the interests of the state, public, individuals, property, or other rights that result in harm to


    the infringer are recognized as legitimate defense. Such actions shall not be subject to criminal


    liability."


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Just then, a new voice joined the conversation. A tall man in a ck jacket entered, walking over


    slowly.