Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard) novel Chapter 1035

"What the hell is wrong with you? You're the one who went on dates, and you're the one who was giving me the cold shoulder. Why do you think it's okay to treat me like this?" Esther felt aggrieved.

This man was manipulating her and trying to shut her out. Why was he suddenly interrogating her as if she was the one at fault?

She thought James was a selfish man.

"I have my reasons."

Esther burst into laughter. "If you truly had reasons, you could just tell me. I'm genuinely curious. Let's see how much of a burden you're carrying and how unreasonable I am." She placed her hands on her hips, expecting his explanation to fall short.

James rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless at her reaction. It was a serious matter, but somehow Esther's response made it seem comical, even though she wasn't trying to be funny.

"I'm doing this to protect you," he finally explained.

Esther's eyes grew wide. "Protect me?"

"My parents arranged a marriage for me when I was a child, with a girl named Sabrina."

Esther noted the name, Sabrina. She was a renowned diplomat, highly accomplished at a young age. Esther didn't display any emotions upon hearing the name, but the revelation of a marriage arrangement since childhood surprised her.

"A marriage agreement since you were a child?"

"But I think—" Esther began, tears welling up. If James had a great choice for a fiancee, why would he want her?

"I know you'd feel inferior after hearing about Sabrina. I get it," James said with a hint of amusement at her expression. "But do you know we've grown up together and know everything about each other? There's no romantic feelings between us…"

Esther realized she was feeling sad for no reason. "Does that mean she's interested in someone else?"

She couldn't believe it. Was Sabrina's high standards the reason?

James looked angry. "No, we're just not interested in each other!"