Chapter 1016


    Richard felt ufortable with the term Pearl used. "Can you say it differently?" he asked


    awkwardly.


    Pearl was speechless. She couldn''t believe Richard, who was often surrounded by women, had


    never slept with any of them.


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    "I didn''t expect you to be so... innocent," she said, struggling to find the right word.


    "What do you mean?" Richard frowned. He didn''t think hisck of experience was something to be


    praised, judging by Pearl''sughter.


    "It''s nothing, forget it," Pearl said quickly, trying to hide her amusement.


    Despite the awkward moment, she felt a surge of happiness. Her eyes sparkled as she realized that


    last night''s difort was eptable.


    Richard, sensing her joy, didn''t press further. Though he was confused, he was content to see her


    happy.


    Lost in thought, he remembered their intimate moments from the night before, and his gaze


    intensified.


    Pearl blushed as she felt his gaze on her. "What are you—"


    Before she could finish, Richard silenced her with a kiss.


    "We''re going to have a baby," he whispered hoarsely, the loving atmosphere enveloping them once


    again.


    Pearl couldn''t help but melt into his embrace, unable to maintain her re.


    Darn it, he was good at this!


    *


    Esther had been trying to get closer to James at thew firm for a week.


    Every morning, she pretended to bump into him, hoping to strike up a conversation. But James


    remained distant, neither interested nor repelled by her presence.


    Feeling disheartened, Esther quickly cheered up and resolved to keep trying, believing in her own


    resilience.


    On the seventh day, she approached James again, this time while he was having coffee and a bun.


    "Can you please stoping here?" James finally spoke up, his tone firm.


    Esther shook her head stubbornly. "No, I like you. I want to get close to you."


    Her open confession didn''t soften James''s expression. He remained cold and aloof, which only


    added to Esther''s despair.


    "Why are you acting so distant? You weren''t like this before." Esther squatted by the road and bit


    into the bun. Unfortunately, she nearly choked because she took too big a bite.


    "Did my previous enthusiasm give you the wrong impression? I''m not obliged to be enthusiastic to


    you always. "


    His aloof words stunned Esther. Her eyes welled up with tears as she struggled to speak through a


    mouthful of bun. "I..."


    Feeling hurt, she choked back her sobs as James delivered the final blow. "Please stop hovering


    around me. You''re bing annoying."