<b>Chapter </b><b>496 </b>
Pearl’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes wide open in shock. She dug her nails into her palm. The pain steadied her. Then the stammered, “Aria<b>, </b>what. What do you mean?”
“The kid we saw this afternoon fell into the water. The surveince footage shows he jumped in by himself,” Aria said.
“Was he… Was he trying tomit suicide?” Pearl stammered.
Aria countered, “Do you think that kid would be that desperate?<b>” </b>
Pearl pressed her lips tightly together, unable to utter a word.
Aria sighed, her tone serious. “Did you do it?”
“Yes,” Pearl admitted.
Her cover was blown, so she saw no reason to keep pretending.
“Aria, are you disappointed in me?” Pearl gazed into Aria’s eyes, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked cautiously, terrified of hearing <b>words </b>like Aria would leave her.
Aria gently patted her head and said, “Silly girl, what are you worrying about? I couldn’t be happier that <b>you </b>could protect yourself.
“But you need to understand, this isn’t the Wolfshade Syndicate. If someone gets hurt here, the police will leave no stone unturned to bring <b>the </b>perpetrator to justice. Ss was unharmed this time, so they didn’t dig deeper. But if something had happened to him, you wouldn’t have gotten away with it either.”
Pearl was no stranger to using hypnosis this way. Back in the Wolfshade Syndicate, she had endured relentless torment from its members. Whenever they crossed the line, she’d seize the chance to make them meet their end through hypnosis.
However, hypnosis didn’t work on everyone. Pearl couldn’t hypnotize those who were strong–willed or <b>on </b>guard against her, like Olivia.
Pearl had once tried to use hypnosis on Olivia, but failed.
When she heard that Eileen had stirred up trouble at the hotel, regret instantly washed over her. ‘I acted on impulse again, only thinking about myself…! never even considered that I might drag others into this mess,‘ Pearl thought, guilt gnawing at her.
“Aria, I’m sorry. I won’t use hypnosis like that again,” Pearl said sincerely.
Aria said, “Use your hypnosis when you must. But avoid it unless necessary. It’ll do you more harm than good if it ever gets exposed.”
‘The person who taught Pearl hypnosis is no ordinary figure,‘ Aria thought, ‘to make Arressto Investigation Agency hunt him for years. If Pearl’s hypnosis skills were ever exposed and Arressto took her in for questioning, things could getplicated. If they set their sights on us, we can kiss our peaceful life goodbye forever.‘
All Aria wanted was for Pearl to be happy and carefree
Aria said softly, “Whether Ss lives or dies means nothing to us. But you mean the world to us. <b>Don’t </b>risk <b>yourself </b><b>for </b>someone who doesn’t matter.”
Pearl felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she thought of that person. She replied quickly, “I get it, Aria
Aria hesitated, then asked softly, “Pearl, who taught you hypnosis? Was it someone from the Wolfshade Syndicate<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Pearl hesitated, her face full of conflict. <b>In </b>a <b>low </b>voice, she said, “Sorry, Aria. I promised that person I wouldn’t tell others.”
Aria smiled gently. “Then we won’t talk about it. Did you two keep in touch after that?<b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>No</b><b>,</b><b>” </b>Pearl replied. “Wel
haven’t been in contact since I left the Wolfshade
Syndicate.”
<b>“</b>That’s good,” Aria
said. “But listen,
he’s a dangerous person. If he ever
tries
<b>to </b>see
you or
<b>asks </b>you
to do
anything, you
must let me know, okay<b>! </b>
“Okay,
I promise,” Pearl
I replied.
Aria said gently, “Get some rest. We’ll
go out
and have some
fun
tomorrow<i>.</i>”
“Okay, good night, Aria,” I Pearl said.
The following morning, an unexpected guest came to the
Anabel.
summer
mer vi. It
Was Tom, head
of the Shaw family. And
tagging along “shamelessty” Was
When Tom arrived and
the doorbell, rang
Aria,! Pearl, and Lily
were cozied
up in the
living
groom, while
Owen was
making breakfast
in the kitchen<b>. </b>