Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard) novel Chapter 947

This was nothing short of a blatant threat. "If you're not willing to accept these terms, then I'm afraid your granddaughter will remain with us," Richard stated.

Howard couldn't help but laugh, struck by the audacity of the young man before him. "You've outdone yourself, young man. Your cunning surpasses even mine."

"Thank you, but I'd say I'm just being thorough."

Howard, assessing the situation, realized the strategic disadvantage of siding with Hugo over Richard. Hugo, though intelligent, lacked Richard's foresight and cunning.

Besides, Richard stated that there can be no collaboration, not limiting any communication. There were still plenty of opportunities to exploit this loophole.

After a moment of deliberation, Howard agreed. "Very well, we have a deal."

Richard, prepared as ever, pulled a contract from his bag with a flourish. "Let's formalize our agreement. Please review and sign this document."

Howard, feeling his blood pressure surge, saw no immediate escape. He had anticipated leveraging his agreement to secure his granddaughter's release, finding a loophole later. Richard's readiness, however, with a contract in hand, caught him off guard.

"I don't have a pen..." Howard said, stalling for time.