Chapter 98. Don't Set Me Free

“She is not your daughter, Mr. Rosenthal. You have to tell her the truth.”

John took a deep breath when he got a call from Louis' doctor. After he came home from the hospital, John started to worry. Doctor Louis had spoken privately to reveal something that John had kept as a secret, burdening his life.

"I can't tell her that now." John refused. He was worried that Pearl would leave him.

“Mr Rosenthal, I say this for your good. When your daughter finds out, she will be very disappointed. Especially if it's someone else like Taggart Kellent who told her,"

“I've drawn a match with Taggart. He won't bother my daughter anymore.” John immediately interrupted. He did not want to give an apparent reason. Now and then, his eyes glanced towards the door, afraid that someone would eavesdrop and complicate matters.

"How could you be sure?"

“I know my daughter. She has already said that she is no longer working for Excellor.”

Louis looked silent on the other end of the phone. He did not respond. John's refusal to reveal Pearl's identity was a problem for him.

“Mr Rosenthal, I will give you time to talk to Pearl about her. You have to do it in two days. If not, I will have so something.” John frowned in confusion.

“What are you going to do, doctor?”

“You know who I am. Pearl Rosenthal is Princess Primrose. You have to admit it.”

John froze, unable to speak. He had buried his reality with his past as an enslaved person. He just loved Pearl and the baby with all his heart. Pearl had taken his heart as a complete father. John felt he had three children, and Pearl was one of them.

"No. Please don't do this.” John pleaded with tears in his eyes. He had taken too long on the phone call. Sandra came over to him and frowned suspiciously at John's attitude. He's been acting weird since the feast dinner Pearl made. After he spoke on the phone, John got even stranger.

“We are old enough to argue, Mr. Rosenthal. You have two days." John didn't answer. Though the threat was in a low tone, John felt his life being threatened. After the call ended, John still looked at his cell phone as if thinking about something.

“John?”

John gasped and looked to the side. Sandra stood not far from him. Her arms folded across her chest, staring at him.

“Who are you talking to?” Sandra asked in a cold, curt manner. John was a little confused. He just shook his head and put his cell phone on the table.

“Are you lying to me?” Sandra repeated her sentence. She increasingly showed deep suspicion.

"What are you talking about?" John dodged and threw his face to the side. Sandra chose to sit next to John and touched his arm.

“What happened? You are acting weird.” John turned to Sandra as if he were worried but hid his worry. John remained silent instead of telling Sandra, who would not respond well.

“Uhm, where are the kids?” John shifted his focus by asking something else. Sandra still narrowed her eyes suspiciously. John immediately left Sandra rather than discuss it with her again. Sandra is not someone who readily accepts explanations. Moreover, she doesn't like Pearl at all.

John returned to the dinner table to return to the small celebration. Pearl throws a little celebration for John's arrival home from the hospital.

It's time for Pearl to laugh and forget about yesterday's bad things. It turns out Taggart fired Pearl, and it hurt her. Just because he was jealous now, he threw Pearl away. There was regret in her heart, but she preferred to keep it to herself.

The front doorbell rang, and laughter could be heard. Pearl got up to check. She opened the door, and his face gradually lost the smile.

"Good evening, Miss Pearl," Everest said with a friendly smile. Pearl finally smiled, even though she was a little gloomy.

"I heard that you were on holiday," Pearl frowned and chuckled strangely. She understood what Everest said, and Pearl shook her head.

“No, I'm just throwing a little feast for my dad. He just came back from the hospital." Everest nodded and smiled.

"Come in, Mr. Leon,"

"That's okay. I want to talk to you for a moment. Do you mind?"

Pearl pursed her lips and shook her head. He left the house and closed the door. Pearl walked with Everest to the front yard. The night started to get cold, but Everest acted as usual. His body temperature was warmer than that of all Earth creatures, including humans.

"I wanted to see you. I know you have quit your job at Excellor," Pearl still smiled and nodded.

“I'm fine, sir.”

“Just call me Everest. Didn't we have a close talk before?” Pearl smiled again as she lowered her head. He put his hands in his trouser pockets to keep warm.

“Mr. Taggart should not have done that. I don't know what he's thinking.” Pearl was still silent, lowering her eyes. Meanwhile, Everest was still staring closely at Pearl.

“Please tell me what happened between you, Miss. Why did he terminate your internship?”

Pearl raised her gaze. Her face was sad, and Pearl couldn't shake it off. She shook her head, refusing to speak.

“I knew something was up. He used to defend you so hard. He doesn't want to hear anything that would stop him from having you. But now," Everest took an annoyed breath and then puffed up his mouth. He was so irritated when he thought about Taggart's changed attitude.

“I get it,” Pearl answered quietly.

"No. I wonder if you still love him?” Everest asked spontaneously without hesitation. Pearl looked at Everest with her beautiful eyes. Her eyes filled with tears as if she wanted to cry.

“Tell me,” Everest pressed him again. He took a step, making Pearl slightly look up at him.

"Yeah." Pearl sighed softly and lowered her face. Her hands curled behind her. Her breathing was heavy as if she wanted to cry.

"Will you go back to him?" Pearl raised her face.

"But he doesn't want me anymore,"

“Don't you want to try once more? Miss Pearl, you are Mr. Taggart's mate. He needs you. He loves you.”