“Pearl, didn’t you say you would do anything for me?” Roderick asked. “B-But this is something I can’t do. If I really go through with it, I certainly can’t stay at Solaris Sect anymore.”
“Don’t worry, Pearl,” Roderick said. “After I win first place in the Alchemist Fair, I will take you far, far away. You will be free, and there will be no need for you to ever head back to Solaris Sect. Imagine us, forever together, you bearing our children, and we live a joyous life together. Does that not sound wonderful?” He stepped forward and grabbed Pearl’s shoulders. “B-But… I am still a…”
Pearl’s voice caught in her throat. Before she could continue, Roderick kissed her fiercely. The sudden kiss made Pearl’s head spin.
Swiftly, Roderick led her to a secluded spot and slowly began to undress her. Lost in the moment, Pearl offered no resistance. Soon, her passionate and breathless moans filled the air. Minutes later, looking disheveled, she nestled in Roderick’s arms.
Satisfaction etched across her face as she said, “Roderick, I’m yours now. I’ll listen to whatever you say. But you have to remember your promise. After the Alchemist Fair, we must be together forever.”
Innocent as Pearl was, she was satisfied within mere minutes. She was oblivious that it would have taken an hour or more with Jared.
“Don’t worry,” Roderick murmured, handing her a small packet. “You and I are one now. How could I possibly disappoint you?” Pearl clutched the packet as her heart pounded.
“Pearl, don’t worry. Just put this in his coffee. It’s colorless and tasteless. No one will notice. It’s not poison, and he will not die from eating it. It will merely distract him, causing him to lose focus, Roderick said.
“Okay.” Pearl nodded, fixing her clothes before leaving. Looking at her retreating figure, Roderick flashed a smug smile. Meanwhile, Jared had returned to Solaris Sect. Seeing him return alone, Gregory asked in confusion, “Mr. Chance, why are you alone? Where is Pearl?”
“Oh, she ran into a friend, so she didn’t come back,” Jared replied. Gregory furrowed his brows. “That friend, is he a man named Roderick?”
Jared nodded. “How do you know that, Mr. Stark?” Gregory’s face flushed in anger. “That Roderick is no good! I’ve told her time and again to stay away from him, but she just won’t listen to me! I must teach her a lesson when she returns. He’s a sleazy playboy, an utterly despicable man! I just don’t understand why Pearl fancies that sleazeball!”
“Mr. Stark, he doesn’t seem like a good-for- nothing kind of man,” Jared said. “You don’t know him like I do, Mr. Chance. He’s a scoundrel, and he has taken advantage of Pearl’s feelings for him to steal Solaris Sect’s pill recipe and secret scrolls for him! Last year, he even tried to get Pearl to ask me to let him cheat to win at the Alchemist Fair. His shamelessness knows no bounds! I’ve warned. her so many times to stay away from that despicable man.” Gregory was livid.
Jared realized then just how low Roderick would stoop to achieve his goals. The latter would even take advantage of Pearl’s love in such a despicable way.
