Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard)
Chapter 8

The helper was confused as to why Pearl would ask her such a question, but she answered anyway. "Amy Young." Soon, Alex came back down with a bag and reported, "Sir, Ma'am, we found these in the lowest drawer of Miss Pearl's coat rack." Inside the black bag was a gold bangle, a bejeweled necklace, and a charm bracelet. They were Susan's lost jewelry. Everyone was a little taken aback that they had found these in Pearl's room. Susan fumed with anger. "What do you have to say, Dustan? What kind of woman have you found for our sons? Her being from the countryside is acceptable, but she's a thief!" "Pea would never do this," Dustan said with all certainty. Abby said in fake concern, "Could there have been some sort of mistake?" The atmosphere became heavy. Richard then stepped forward and suggested, "How about we get Officer Jack here and see if he can get some fingerprints." If Pearl had done it, her fingerprints would be on the jewelry. Dustan called Jack Grayson from the police department to help prove Pearl's innocence. Susan glanced at Dustan. "Fine. But if she's the one who did it, we're canceling the marriage and throwing her out." Before Dustan could speak, Pearl answered calmly, "Sure." The investigation would take some time, so they went to the dining room to have dinner first. Dustan and Susan had yet to come to the table when the others already sat down. Mobius was gloating as he said, "This may be your last feast, Pearl. Enjoy it!" "You should enjoy it too. If I'm still here tomorrow, I'll ask Mister Dustan to throw you out." "Dream on!" Although Mobius said this, he was unsure. If Pearl was not the thief, Dustan would very likely agree to throw Mobius out given how he favored Pearl. After dinner, the investigation had been concluded. The officers found Pearl's fingerprints on the gold bangle and in Dustan and Susan's room. Dustan could not believe it. "So it was you! No way to defend yourself now, can you? Alex, pack up this thief's things and throw her out!" "Wait." Pearl said as she stood up without haste, "I didn't steal them." She had thought about it and realized that there had been a thin film on the doorknob yesterday that was gone today. The culprit must have gotten her fingerprints from there and pasted them onto the gold bangle. Susan sneered. "Hmph! The evidence is irrefutable. How are you going to explain it away?" "I have evidence to prove my innocence. Ma'am, may I borrow that gold bangle for a bit?" She gingerly picked up the bangle on the table and put it on. Nob*dy understood what Pearl was trying to do. "What are you trying to do, Pearl?" Pearl remained silent and simply extended her hand. Under the light, it was clear that her fair skin was becoming red and swollen. Pain and itchiness engulfed her but she ignored it. She smiled and explained, "Ma'am, this gold bangle of yours is very pure. But I'm allergic to gold, and my symptoms get worse the purer the gold is." Dustan hurriedly said, "Silly girl! Why are you touching the gold since you know you're allergic to it? Hurry up and take it off." At that instant, Pearl's wrist was swollen and her skin was starting to peel. The two fingers she had used to pick up the gold bracelet were also filled with rashes. After she took off the bangle, she smirked at Susan. "These symptoms will last for at least three days. So, this proves that I didn't steal these." "You might've taken them while wearing gloves." Susan refused to give up. "If I used gloves, why are my fingerprints on them? Susan was rendered speechless.