---- Chapter 12 Lars flew back to Riverton overnight, looking completely haggard. The moment the plane landed, he rushed straight to Pearl's home. When Pearl opened the door half-asleep and saw him, she threw herself at him in delight. She thought she had finally won. Yet, she had barely opened her arms when Lars grabbed her by the throat. He shoved her roughly to the sofa, pinning her. "Who gave you the right to send those screenshots to Bianca?" he roared. Pearl struggled in terror, clutching desperately at his wrist. However, she couldn't loosen his grip at all." Have you gone mad, Lars? Are you trying to kill me?!" "She misunderstood what was going on between us! Are you satisfied now?" he spat through clenched teeth. Pearl started to lie. "It really wasn't me! Now that I think about it, maybe when Bianca came into your office that time... Maybe she saw them back then..." ---- "Shut up!" Lars' grip on her tightened. "She isn't someone you get to smear!" Pearl, nearly out of breath, quickly changed her tone. " I... Imust've slipped and let her see. I'm sorry, I was careless... Lars, please, don't kill me..." She started to cry, her voice trembling. "Didn't you say...you'd marry me? She's getting married already. Can't we...try it too?" Her tears rolled down her cheeks, a desperate attempt to probe Lars. Lars simply stared at her coldly, and suddenly said something strange. "Smile." "W-What?" Pearl was stunned. "T told you to smile." His tone was menacing. "Have you forgotten how to smile?" Pearl hurriedly faked a rigid smile, her lips trembling. Lars watched her for a long time, as if searching for someone else's reflection on her face. After a while, he said, "Fine. Let's try it." "Really?" Pearl was ecstatic. ---- This time, her smile was genuine and her eyes brimmed with triumph. Lars looked at her, his expression finally shifting. He reached out and turned off the lights, leaving only the moonlight. He pounced on Pearl like a wounded beast, rough and cruel. He kissed her, hand still at her throat, as if trying to devour an imitation, or extinguish a memory. Pearl trembled, but she didn't dare resist. She knew he had gone crazy, but she also knew she was only one step away from achieving her so-called victory. Once, Lars had said, "I can't betray Bianca." But now, he was the one who was personally turning Pearl into a replacement. Tears slid into Pearl's mouth, but she didn't dare complain. All she wanted was to be Mrs. Carter. A little pain was nothing. The next day, Pearl put on a long scarf, wrapped up around her neck tightly. No one knew what she had gone through the night before. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!