Chapter 1014


    Knowing that the two of them were behind this, Pearl fell into a dilemma. Dealing with Hugo alone


    would have been easier, but if they were colluding together, it would pose a much bigger problem,


    even if the Quinton family couldn''t cause much trouble.


    "I don''t want to be his enemy, but it looks like I have no choice."


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    Richard gently touched Pearl''s hair. "Don''t worry. Leave these things to me."


    Back at Waldorf Residence, they had both lost their appetite. They decided to rest early and go to


    bed.


    After Mobius''s passing, the Waldorf family was shrouded in gloom and silence. Dustan took Susan


    on a trip to lift her spirits, leaving thepany in Richard''s care. Hanzel rarely came home, opting


    to stay in another vi with Feather. This left Pearl and Richard alone in the house.


    That night, Pearl was startled awake by the sudden thunder. Not being a deep sleeper, she found


    herself restless in bed, counting each thunderp until she finally sat up at the fifty-ninth.


    Turning on the light, she made her way downstairs for a ss of water, only to bump into Richard


    on the stairs, who was heading to do the same.


    "Why are you still awake at this hour?" Richard handed Pearl a ss of warm water, which she


    sipped to calm her nerves.


    "The thunder''s too loud. I can''t sleep," she exined.


    Richard nced out the window. "The forecast says it''llst another half hour. It should calm down


    after that."


    "It''s just so annoying." Pearl ruffled her hair in frustration.


    "Why don''t youe to my room for a chat?" Richard suggested suddenly.


    Despite the suddenness of the offer, Pearl agreed, unable to sleep herself.


    In Richard''s room, Pearl, shy about getting into his bed, settled for the couch.


    Richard took his ce on the bed. "It''s cold tonight. Want to get under the covers with me?" he


    offered, patting the bed.


    Pearl hesitated but eventually moved to join him under the nket. It was winter, after all.


    As theyy side by side, Richard read a magazine while Pearl scrolled through her phone. The


    comforting scent of tea emanated from the nkets, lulling Pearl into a drowsy state.


    "Feeling sleepy?" Richard asked softly.


    For some reason, Pearl''s drowsiness disappeared at his words. "No, not really," she replied,


    opening a video on her phone. She burst intoughter while watching.


    "What''s so funny?" Richard asked, leaning over to see.


    Pearl was dazed when Richard wrapped his arm around her and drew her close. Then, he took


    away her phone and locked the screen, prompting Pearl to realize his intentions.


    "Hey, why did you do that if you wanted to watch the video?"


    Ignoring her question, Richard smoothly ced her phone on the nightstand.


    Pearl tried to retreat but found herself trapped as Richard held her firmly in ce.


    "What are you doing?" she demanded, feeling like a mouse being toyed with.


    Looking at Pearl with a mix of desire and hesitation, Richard swallowed hard before speaking


    hoarsely, "Do you remember what you promised me the other day?"