The Ex and Her Riches

Asher’s face lost all color when Gwendolyn’s revelation struck him.

He found it unbelievable that Cedrick was willing to disregard his family’s reputation and interests to transfer everything he had over to Gwendolyn.

It’s so ironic that it feels like a bad joke.

“I’m sorry.”

An apology was all that he could eke out, for he knew that any further explanation was pointless.

Wiping away her tears, Gwendolyn felt as if she had lost all faith in Asher.

“Even if you weren’t behind those misdeeds, your tolerance of Evelyn’s misdeeds has allowed her to act with impunity. The way you protect her and cover up the truth was the reason I ended up in Fairlake when I was fifteen. There, I suffered for six years straight while living with the Wright family. The trauma that I experienced isn’t something that your trivial punishment can ever make up for!

“On top of Crane Bridge at Fairlake, she and Luke hired forty assassins to kill me. I had no choice but to jump into the freezing river to escape. Another time in Realm Bar, she and Uncle Hector bribed Charles to steal the S404 RNA virus from the lab so that they could infect me with it.

“Let’s not forget the numerous times she tried to sow discord between me and Cedrick. By advising Eloise, she almost succeeded in getting me raped by Sherman during Eloise’s birthday party. Yet, you bailed Eloise and Natasha out of prison, allowing them to ride roughshod on my life. All these incidents are the result of you and Dad indulging her, and I’m never going to forgive you for what you have done. Since you want the right of succession so much, I’ll give it to you as my way of repaying you for the care you have shown me throughout the years. But, from today onward, you and I are no longer siblings!”

The moment Gwendolyn was done with her outburst, she walked past Asher with her eyes brimming with hatred.

The latter, whose eyes had reddened, called out to Gwendolyn right before she opened the door to leave.

“I’m sorry, Kiddo. I didn’t expect my actions to have traumatized you to this extent. I know I don’t deserve to ask for your forgiveness. Instead, I’ll reflect upon my actions and do my best to make it up to you. As for Evelyn, you’re free to make her pay as long as you don’t kill her.”

tightened in response. “In the end, it’s clear that she’s

explanation. “When I was on a mission in the military, it was her mother who sacrificed her life to save mine. She’s the one that I’m indebted to. I promised her that I

a good father who loved all his children. Unfortunately, he

a sigh before continuing in a choking

Gwendolyn stunned at her feet. Her heart tightened abruptly, while her eyes twitched

little, Asher was someone she truly

heart would break every time he did it, and he would feel the urge to

made him a stern mother figure

to see the brother whom she loved so deeply beg for mercy on behalf of Evelyn, a mere

elicited a smirk from her. “Don’t you dare call me Kiddo anymore! I don’t ever want to hear those words from your mouth. Going forward, the only brothers I have are Kieran and Treyton. The eldest

scathing response, she opened the door and stormed out without

her old room,

the room, Cedrick was standing

eyes and tear streaks on her cheeks filled him with sympathy. Instead

her hands around his waist. The sound of his steady heartbeat brought her a sense of

Cedrick patted her on the back as he suggested in a magnetic voice, “Are you

shook her head to indicate that she wasn’t

until I deal with those

on her hand as he led her to the living room downstairs where Sienna

her glistening eyes that she, too,

sight of Gwendolyn and Cedrick coming down filled her with shame and regret. She was unable to hold back her tears, so she cried even more. “Gwendolyn, I’m shocked to have just learned about how much you have suffered. I’m

who could clearly tell friend from foe. Sienna, her sister-in-law, had always treated her like her own sister and was innocent of any involvement

of the entire matter. You don’t