Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Chapter 841

Winona panicked as the plot that seemed to be falling into place took an unexpected turn.

"Dad, my friends already know about the wedding. The invitations have been sent out. If we back out now, it'll be a scandal for our

family!" she protested desperately.

Martin took a deep breath, struggling to control his frail heart. "So you understand the stakes here! It's not just your reputation on

the line, it's the honor of the Jesselton family!"

Winona's expression wavered. "Dad!"

Martin turned his attention to Richard, who remained calm, and forced a faint smile. "Mister Richard, | need to speak with Winona

privately. I'd appreciate it if you could give us sspace."

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Richard discerned the gravity of the situation and acquiesced with a slight nod. There was no doubt that this was a request for him

to leave.

He nodded slightly, glanced at Winona, and made his exit.

As Winona watched Richard leave, a pang of uncertainty hit her. Was Richard upset with her? Was her father being too harsh on

him?

Her father's sudden shout snapped her back to reality. "Cwith me!"

It was rare to see her father so enraged, and Winona couldn't help but feel apprehensive as she followed him into the study. Once

inside, she spoke timidly, "Dad, | know | made a mistake..."

"You've always been my pride and joy, Winona. | don't want to see you suffer. Look at Richard. Does he truly care about you? He

married you just to get you to help that woman with her illness. There's no room for you in his heart."

Winona couldn't help retorting, "But once we're married, won't he belong to me?"

"Marriage? You're making it sound too simple." Martin chuckled coldly. "If you think getting married is all it takes to tie down a man,

then be prepared to discover him seeing another woman one day."

Confusion clouded Winona's mind. "But why not?"

Martin's eyes betrayed a hint of inner conflict before settling into resolve. "Because | don't want you to end up like your mother."

Winona was taken aback. "Are you tellingyou were forced to marry Mom?"

Admitting to this was a bit embarrassing for Martin. "Yes, | didn't love your mother then. | had feelings for someone else, but she

fell ill. | agreed to marry your mother in exchange for her help in curing the one | loved."

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This revelation left Winona reeling with a mix of shock and empathy. "And then?"

"Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The person | loved couldn't be saved and passed away. But | kept my promise and

married your mother."

A whirlwind of emotions stirred Winona's heart. "Are you saying you never truly loved Mom?" She couldn't help but feel sorry for

her mother.

Martin cleared his throat softly. "Not at first. But over time, | grew to care for her. Otherwise, | wouldn't have had you."

"Then why are you tellingall of this? What's the point?"

Martin's gaze turned cold. "If you want a real future with Richard, you need to get rid of that woman from the picture. Make sure

she can never interfere again."