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“What?”
“Life-threatening? World-ending?”
“No.”
“Then as per general rule, it’s not something I’m obliged to do.” She turned until she was facing John. “Mr. Wheel, I’m allowed to decline a non-emergency task, aren’t I?”
John was startled, but his levelheadedness persevered and he reluctantly nodded. “Yes. Sure. We just thought you would want…”
“To pay off my brother’s debts? Sure.” Pearl smirked. “But I’m not going anywhere and I have years to make up for one declined task.”
“What personal reasons could be more important than this?” Gunther demanded.
“My sisters’ birthdays,” she said promptly. “They’re not here anymore, but we don’t miss it. As the head, I’m in charge of organizing and communicating—you know, things that wouldhelpour island, considering they’re mated to very powerful figures.”
A stunned silence wrapped around the room as she finally pulled out her ace card and felt a moment of smugness.
“We have reviewed the candidates and you’re the best one,” John tried again.
“Thank you. Unfortunately, I can’t miss the birthdays and my responsibilities.”
Ursula sneered. “That’s disappointing, Miss Sutton, but I suppose I should have been expecting that from you—”
“Mrs. Tiempo—”
“She said no. Can we wrap this meeting up, then? I have other matters to attend to and don’t need to hear about birthdays and excuses. I don’t care about any of that.”
Just like that, everyone backed off, proving once again who was in charge. Her triumph didn’t feel as glorious, and it felt like she had just become the villain.
“Of course, Henry,” Ursula mused sweetly. “I’m sure you do.”
Screw you.Screw them all, most of all the Lyra brothers, who had put her in this spot in the first place. Her gaze flicked from Gunther, who was no longer looking at her, to Henry…who was now looking at her. The man’s expression was unreadable, his dark brown eyes giving nothing away. Everything about him was rigid, righteous, and harsh…powerful, and he didn’t even have to lift a finger. In the blink of an eye, his gaze was gone and he was walking out of the room—an outright dismissal. He didn’t even need to say a word to her.
“Miss Sutton, please stay. I do have a smaller task for you, one that doesn’t need your full attention.”
She waited for the others to follow the Lyras and leave, meeting Ursula’s haughty look before Ruby’s words forced her not to spit out a curse. Refusing to be defeated, she grinned at the woman instead, delighted when Ursula huffed and marched away faster. It was petty, sure, but…
“Miss Sutton?”
“I’m here,” Pearl said, squaring her shoulders and facing John again. “Tell me about the smaller task.”
“I need a drink…actually, no. I need three glasses of my favorite drink.”
“You look like you need three,” Rex, the resident bartender, mused. “And it looks like you need it fast.”
“Oh, I have a lot of needs,” she shot back, the flirty words as automatic as breathing. She leaned forward, showing off her dimple when she smiled at him and fluttered her lashes. “Crazy needs. Hot, stupid needs that need tending.”
“Good thing I know your favorite drink and can tend quickly to this particular need.”
Rex winked, used to her antics—perhaps one of the few immune to it as they had known each other since they were in diapers. She watched him wander off to prepare, then whirled her stool to check out the bar. The work night ensured it wouldn’t be as crowded, perfect for chilling until it was time to go to bed. When Rex handed her the drinks, she gulped one down, moaned at the burn in her throat, and stilled when a choking sound came from beside her.
“Why, hello, there…” she crooned, eyeing the tall, handsome man and trying to place him. Her eyes widened. “Holy shit. Is that you, West Jung?”
West Jung’s cheeks turned pink, pleased to be recognized. “Hey, Pearl. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“You were out on some quest with your family for the better part of our teenage years. And I guess I got so busy that I forgot you came back.”
West pouted. “I would take offense, but I got busy too.” His gaze flicked to her lips. “How are you?”
