Chapter 949


    Looking into Richard''s calm, expressionless eyes, Winona felt a chill. Before, his gaze never carried


    deep affection, but it always held a semnce of warmth. Now, it seemed filled with disgust.


    Feeling uneasy, Winona stammered, "R-Rick, why have you brought me here?"


    At this point, she wondered if Richard had suddenly recalled her past actions, choosing to punish


    her. Yet, with Pearl at his side, this theory seemed less usible.


    What was going on? Richard''s feelings for Pearl was a well-known fact across Enswood. Winona


    bowed her head, concealing her deep-seated loneliness.


    "I brought you here because your grandfather took our people."


    "Grandpa? How is he? Is he okay?" Winona panicked and asked anxiously.


    Although Winona usually appeared proud and arrogant, she genuinely cared about her grandfather.


    Having grown up with him since childhood, their bond was the strongest in the family. He was her


    staunchest supporter, eager tovish her with the best.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Your grandpa is perfectly fine. On the contrary, you''re the one in trouble," Richard informed her.


    Winona shook her head firmly. "Impossible. You wouldn''t harm me. After all, we have a history."


    "And who said I had any affection for you during that time?"


    Richard''s indifference cut through Winona, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What do you mean? You


    felt nothing for me?"


    Not even a bit? No way! She couldn''t ept it. She would never believe this!


    "If you''re talking about feelings, it''s mostly pity and disgust."


    Disgust… That word shattered her already fragile defenses.


    Tears welled up in Winona''s eyes as she struggled to speak, "Richard, you can''t be so cruel. I''ve


    devoted myself to you. You must feel something."


    "Why should I? Was this not how you treated Pearl? Did you ever consider her feelings after all your


    dirty tricks?"


    Pearl watched the exchange, devoid of sympathy for Winona. Richard was right. Why show


    compassion to someone who once hurt you?


    Winona''s actions were nowing back to haunt her.


    Winona insisted, "But you came looking for me in the first ce..."


    "Yes, I approached you," Richard confirmed, his gaze chilling. "But remember, I proposed a trade:


    30% of Waldorf Enterprises'' shares for Pearl''s safety. You refused and even threatened me."


    Pearl took a sharp breath, her emotions swirling. Thirty percent of the shares? Was Richard


    nning to sell Waldorf Enterprises?!


    Meanwhile, Winona was forced to confront the truth, recalling their agreement. Indeed, she had


    gambled on growing affections over time, using the situation to her advantage.


    "So, we were just using each other. There''s no need for any affection."


    Those final words left Winona enveloped in a cold, deste loneliness.