Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard) novel Chapter 818

Esther's eyes lit up when she saw who it was. "James, what brings you here?" she asked, clearly surprised and confused.

James smiled, amused by her reaction. "I just came to check on you. When are you planning to return to work?"

At his question, Esther looked disappointed. She rubbed her forehead and sighed, while throwing a pointed look at Winona. "I'd love to get back soon. But there's someone here, acting all important because she's engaged to the sponsor, causing delays on set. It's a tricky situation," she said, not naming Winona directly, but making it obvious who she was talking about.

Winona, catching the indirect jab, became furious. "Watch your mouth, Esther! I won't let you off if you keep talking nonsense!"

Esther glared at Winona and snorted. "Oh, dropped the nice act, have we? Weren't you just playing the victim, calling for Richard?"

James, catching on to the drama, chuckled. "So, this is Mister Richard's fiancee. Seems quite hot-headed."

Winona wasn't new to being called out, but it stung coming from James. She pointed at him angrily and said, "I don't care who you are. You're clearly on Esther's side, and I won't stand for your lies!"

James, unfazed by her anger, watched Winona's outburst with a cold detachment.