The Ex and Her Riches

Neal personally visited the police station to assist with the investigations.

The first round of interrogations had wrapped up just as Cedrick and Gwendolyn turned up.

Neal immediately stepped forward when he noticed their arrival.

“Why did you rush over, Ms. Harris? Have all your injuries been treated?”

Gwendolyn opened her pale lips to respond, but Cedrick interjected, “Yes. The doctor said her injuries weren’t too serious, and because Gwenny wanted to investigate this ambush as soon as possible, we decided to come to the police station now.”

His words met with no protests. Neal opened his arms and ushered them into a lounge to rest.

They had barely warmed their seats when Cedrick asked sternly, “How are the interrogations?”

Neal shook his head and said. “They’re skilled assassins bought off the black market anonymously. They were only serving orders and had no idea about their client. And while we didn’t catch the sniper, we’ve sent the bullet removed from Ms. Harris elbow for further analysis. We should have some leads from there soon.”

Astoria practiced strict gun ownership laws. One had to undergo professional evaluations and obtain a license before purchasing a gun.

Once they confirmed the model of the small sniper rifle used in the ambush, they could narrow down their pool of suspects.

Gwendolyn listened to their conversation and could not help but smirk. She commented, “Buying assassins off the black market. What a familiar tactic.”

Her tone surprised Neal, who asked. “Have you encountered such ambushes in the past, Ms. Harris?”

Gwendolyn remained silent.

Cedrick replied in her stead, “Yes. Gwenny’s stepsister, an illegitimate child of the Harris family, once hired forty assassins on the black market to ambush her on Crane Bridge, Fairlake. Thankfully, gun control laws in Chanaca are the strictest in the world, so there were no snipers around.”

A bewildered Neal asked, “She’s just the illegitimate child of a rich family. How did she accomplish that?”

Cedrick fell silent and glanced at Gwendolyn. As expected, her expression had cooled by several degrees.

had never been

was the revelation that Evelyn’s backer was none other than Gwendolyn’s father, Marcus, and Asher’s decision to cover up

He reached out and clasped her clenched fists, hoping to give her some comfort.

mood shift and surmised that there was a deeper story to their response. He tactfully dropped

snapped

Gray, how familiar are you with Paul Hall, the count of Ospea,

form a football team. In fact, I wager

it’s not as if he can’t afford the lifestyle. He’s a nobility of Ospea and can live off the family’s fortune comfortably. Plus, he actually has an acumen for business. After his father’s death, he was the sole heir to the family’s wealth, and he put that money to good use in business investments. If you

and asked. “How long

about that. I heard he met his current girlfriend while on a business trip to Chanaea. Annie was studying there at the time. After becoming lovers, they’ve frequently traveled together.” Neal sipped some warm fruit tea before adding. “After talking to Paul over the past few

and worked out the

a coincidence? They knew each other in Chanaca, and Annie immediately got the opportunity

resources, it was entirely possible to help

Harris, why are you so interested in Paul’s personal life? Do you think it’s related to this

Gwendolyn’s musings. She answered simply. “It’s nothing. I was just

was still her conjecture before they had any solid evidence. Voicing her theories now would do more harm than good, allowing her

nerve in her head throbbed painfully. Gwendolyn

the bruise sent stinging pain over the back

into his lap. “Don’t think so hard, Gwenny. It’ll tire you

pressed closer to his

a nap if you feel uncomfortable. I’ll handle

husband’s words and shut her eyes, gradually dozing off in his

felt more apologetic than

accept my deepest apologies. I did not imagine this would

looked down at Gwendolyn and gently stroked

struck Gwenny across the

it. We will not

I would like you to send the culprit to Chanaca once you find him. I will

criminals, but they’re still citizens of Astoria. Interrogating and punishing them in Chanaea seems rather inappropriate,