Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard) novel Chapter 1038

"Oh, you caught me…" Esther felt James's breath on her ear, causing a ticklish sensation. "If you don't want to tell, I'll stop asking."

It wouldn't be good if James got angry over this.

"The first time we met was in Yole City."

Esther tried to recall her time in Yole City when she was sixteen. Yes, before turning sixteen, she had lived there.

The Sanders family had business in Yole City at the time. Situated in the south, it was a bustling city with a hint of tranquility. Their ancestors owned grand historical mansions, and Esther resided in one of them during her time in Yole City.

"But I can't remember…"

James glanced at her, looking sad. "So you don't remember me, huh?"

Esther blushed. No, she had no memory of James and suspected he might be making it up.

"You were about fourteen and still attending school. One day, on your way there, you bumped into a boy. Do you recall?"

A boy? Esther shook her head.

"I was out with my parents, and when we arrived in Yole City, I lost sight of them in the crowd. As I searched for them, I encountered two human-traffickers. One of them noticed my nice clothes and, after some hesitation, he grabbed me and took off."

James didn't seem worried; rather, he looked like he was reminiscing.

The trafficker wasn't about to stop, so she waved Esther away.

"Miss, your child is very rude. He called me fatty. I know I'm a little overweight, but I don't think that's how he should talk to a lady. I need to educate him."

That made sense. James was hoping the girl would stall them, buying some time, so he watched eagerly as events unfolded.

The trafficker, realizing the situation was escalating, attempted to diffuse it. "It's just a misunderstanding. He's just a silly kid. I apologize on his behalf…"

With more people gathering to watch, the trafficker grew increasingly anxious. If the boy's parents appeared, they could end up in serious trouble.

"No." Esther declared firmly, standing her ground like a tiny hill.