Chapter 216
“Are you alright, Pearl?”
Richard’s voice was filled with anxiety, and he sounded genuinely concerned. He immediately recognized Pearl as the person featured in the trending news, even from a distance.
Pearl was about to laugh when she decided to disguise her voice to prevent him from recognizing her. She held her throat and changed her tone, saying, “I’m sorry, sir. The owner of the phone passed away half an hour ago. May I know who’s calling?” Richard’s voice froze. “I’m her boyfriend. Is she really dead?”
His voice sounded neutral, but Pearl had a bad feeling. “Yes sir. We’re going to cremate her soon.”
“Is this funny to you, Pearl?” Richard couldn’t stand it anymore and called her out.
Peard was surprised. “How did you know it was me? I thought I was hiding it well.”
“How could I not recognize your voice?” He took a deep breath. “Don’t you lie to me again.” It sounded like he was reminding his girlfriend.
“Too much time on your hands? Why do you care?”
Richard answered her question with a question, “The last picture in the news showed Hanzel holding you. Did you go to the park together?”
Pearl detected a touch of anger in his voice, and she thought it was awkward. “I’m going to hang up if you have nothing else to say. I need to make another call.”
Pearl immediately hung up and called Wayne. “Wayne, help me get rid of the news about me.”
Wayne, who was half asleep and groggy, opened his eyes, checked the news, and replied, “What? There’s no trending news about you.”
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“What?” Pearl kept him on the line and checked the news again. Just as Wayne had said, there was no mention of her anywhere.
“Alright, there’s nothing for you to do then.”
A thought crossed Wayne’s mind, and he asked, “Was it… Richard?”
Pearl had considered the possibility but felt too embarrassed to admit it. “No way. Enough of your nosiness, Wayne.”
“Tsk tsk, Pea. You probably guessed it was him too. I know you still see him in a bad light, but you have to admit that he has feelings for you…”
Pearl frowned. “Enough of your nonsense, Wayne, or I’ll send you on a business trip to Africa.”
“Oh, Pea, I’m really sorry. I’ll keep quiet, alright?”
Pearl coughed. “Alright, get back to work. I have stuff to do.”
After getting some rest, Pearl decided it was time to leave. She made her way downstairs.
Allan and his wife were engrossed in watching a TV series, and when they noticed Pearl, they greeted her with smiles. “Did you get some good rest, Miss Pearl?”
“You don’t have to call me Miss Pearl, just Pearl.” She felt that “Miss Pearl” sounded distant and formal.
“Oh, alright, Pearl. Please stay for lunch. Laura wants to have lunch with you.”
