Chapter 867


    Confidence and high expectations can be achieved when you have trustworthy allies handling


    things for you.


    The Jesselton family decided to keep their scandal private and instead grounded Winona.


    "You''re awesome. I wish I could be as crafty as you," Esther remarked, relishing in their triumph.


    "It''s not a good thing, really. You don''t need to learn this. I''ll always have your back if anyone tries to


    bully you," Pearl reassured Esther with a smile.


    Esther realized Pearl was teasing her and feigned disappointment, pretending to sob. "You think I''m


    dumb, don''t you?"


    James chimed in, adding insult to injury, "Well, aren''t you? You might not even notice if someone


    betrays you."


    Initially, James saw Esther as clever and charming. Yet, the more time he spent with her, the more


    he realized she was somewhat naive and silly.


    But he was okay with that and chose to ept her as she was.


    "What are you talking about? James, remember all those problems you had at thew firm? Didn''t I


    help you sort some of them out?" Esther raised her chin smugly.


    "Oh, you''re talking about that civil case, right?"


    Esther nodded. "Yeah, that one."


    Curious, Pearl asked, "So, Este is good atw?"


    Esther chuckled, but James tapped her head yfully. "They were figuring out how to split the


    puppies since two dogs from separate families had mated. With only five puppies, they couldn''t split


    them evenly. Guess what Esther suggested?"


    Pearl''s curiosity grew. "What did she say?"


    "Her solution was to ughter the dog and divide it by weight."


    Pearl was at a loss for words, imagining Esthering up with such an oundish idea.


    "Plus, she went on to describe how to butcher a dog in front of one of the kids from the families.


    That scared the kid so much they burst into tears and refused to take care of the puppies. As a


    result, all the puppies were given to the other family."


    Pearl, puzzled, asked, "Have you ever actually killed a dog?"


    Esther, scratching her head, replied, "Well, I saw people butchering pigs back in the vige when I


    was young..."


    James felt helpless. "Don''t you think her ''solution'' was a bit over the top?"


    Esther frowned, unhappy with the criticism. "But didn''t I settle the dispute?"


    Trying to lighten the mood, Pearl patted Esther on the head and forced augh. "Well, it''s certainly


    one way to do it."


    Yet, the whole scenario just seemed absurd.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "Alright, let''s not get hung up on the specifics. We can eat now and chatter..."


    The food arrived quickly, and in silent agreement, they all began to eat.


    Once they finished, they lingered over conversation for a bit. By four in the afternoon, James and


    Esther left, saying there was unfinished business at thew firm.


    This left Pearl with a chance for some one-on-one time with Richard. They decided to visit a nearby


    ecological park for a stroll and to watch the sunset.


    "Won''t you need to head back to the office?" Pearl asked.


    Richard shook his head. "I took the day off since it''s supposed to be my wedding day."


    Pearl teased him, "Are you mad that I''ve identally ruined your wedding?"


    Richard stopped walking and turned to look at her with a serious expression. "Yes, I am. So, by all


    ounts, you owe me a marriage partner aspensation."


    Pearl''s heart skipped a beat. As expected, she had gotten herself into trouble.