Chapter 161
“When we were kids, Abby and Hugo didn’t get along. Hugo was quieter and easier to bully, so Abby didn’t like him and usually stuck with me.”
Pearl playfully teased, “I guess Mister Richard was always the lovable one. It makes sense that people couldn’t get you out of
their minds.”
“Alright, keep the jokes for now.” Richard looked serious. “I never expected Hugo to defend Abby.”
“So you believe me now?”
Richard nodded. “It’s hard not to be suspicious when Abby was so frantic, and you were so calm.”
Pearl’s mood lifted, and she spoke more cheerfully. “So what’s your plan?”
“I don’t think we can trust Abby or Hugo. I’m going to transfer Mom to a different hospital. It’s been a week, and she still hasn’t shown any signs of waking up.”
Pearl winked at him. “I guess you’re not as stupid as I thought.”
Richard was relieved to see Pearl returning to her usual self.
“If that’s the case, I can help you. We can let Hugo and Abby know that we’re onto them,” Pearl said.
“No, I can handle this.”
Cerubleu had shareholdings in eight out of ten hospitals. Would Richard be able to make changes more efficiently than Pearl
could?
Pearl had the urge to tease himn further but remembered that Richard didn’t know her true identity. She decided to keep quiet. “If that’s your decision, I’ll leave it to you. Just call me if you need help.”
Just as Pearl was about to leave, her phone rang from an unknown number. Recognizing the voice, she remembered that she had neglected Clem after spending too much time at the hospital.
“Alright, I’m coming right over.” Pearl smiled after hanging up. “I have urgent matters to attend to. Got to go.”
Richard nodded. “Sure.”
–
After saying goodbye, Pearl went to a place they both agreed on a cafe nearby.
Clem was sitting not too far from the door, drinking coffee. He was proud and gentle, quite the contrast from the frantic man she had encountered the previous night.
“Please take a seat, Miss Pearl.”
Pearl smiled and did as she was told. “Are you ready to join Brilliance?”
Clem’s eyes welled up with emotion. “Thank you, Miss. Pearl.”
“For what?”
Clem took a deep breath. “I know you wired 270 thousand dollars to me, just enough to cover my wife’s medical expenses.”
Pearl paused, slightly amused. “How did you know it was me?”
“Miss Pearl, I’m all alone in this situation without any help. Who else but you would reach out to help?”
“Don’t mention it. You deserve it, right?” Pearl smiled. “Consider it… ransom for Esther.”
Clem’s face reddened. He had resorted to abducting Esther out of desperation. His wife was critically ill and required expensive treatment, but he was unemployed and had no source of income. After much thought, he came up with a risky plan-to abduct Esther and demand a 100 thousand dollars ransom for her return.
“I’m sorry,” Clem apologized sincerely. “I was blinded with rage.”
