Chapter 10

As Richard and Pearl left the hospital, Dustan and Susan were having a heated argument in their room. "Susan, Pearl just got here. Why are you bullying her? She's so young!" Susan sneered. "It's because of you. Why did you bring her into our home, Dustan?" “I already told you. Max and I made an arrangement." "An arrangement? That’s clearly just an excuse. Isn't this all because you liked Lynn once?" Dustan's expression stiffened when she said that. He and Max were college mates. After they graduated, they enlisted in the army and met Lynn Schouwen, the army medic. Lynn became Pearl's mother. The two men fell in love with Lynn and chose to vie for her heart through fair competition. In the end, Lynn chose Max. Many years had passed since, and Lynn had passed too. Dustan had not expected Susan to know about what had happened. "I’m right, aren’t I? You can't forget about Lynn after all these years, and that’s you brought Pearl home and are being so nice to her." Dustan sighed and took Susan's hand. "No, my love. What happened with Lynn was a long time ago. The only one I care for now is you.” "Then why are you so nice to Pearl?" "There was one time when Max and I carried out a drug sweep mission. When we encountered danger, he jumped in front of a bullet for me. His left leg was ruined because of it… And he and Pea have stayed in that village for so many years." As he talked about this, he grieved. "He asked me to take care of Pearl before he passed away." Susan was stunned. Dustan started thinking about the past. But in truth, Lynn was still alive. When Pearl and Richard got home, Dustan and Susan were the only ones sitting on the sofa. And surprisingly, Susan made a sincere apology. Pearl chose not to press the matter and went upstairs to rest. When she came out of her shower, Susan knocked on her door. "What is it, ma’am?" "I’d like to have a chat with you." Susan then walked into the room and sat down. "Pearl, I'll accept you and agree to you marrying one of my sons, but you can’t pick Rick." Pearl was taken aback, but she asked calmly, "Why?" "Rick is the most outstanding of my sons, and I already have another marriage candidate whom I'm very satisfied with. So please keep him out of your consideration." Susan was saying that Pearl was not worthy of Richard, and the person she was satisfied with was most probably Abby. "Understood, ma’am." Susan said nothing else and left the room. When Pearl woke up the next day, she was to spend the day with Sean. Sean was the vice president of Waldorf Enterprises, but he was not on good terms with Richard. He made it a point to always challenge his brother. When Pearl got into the car, Sean asked, "How was your day with Rick yesterday?" His tone indicated that he was hostile toward the latter. Pearl answered absent-mindedly, "It was fine." "Rick’s pretty cruel and inhumane. I suggest you don’t pick him." Pearl's eyes lit up. "Should I pick you instead?"