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 the

other than Gwendolyn’s father, Marcus, and Asher’s decision to cover up Evelyn’s crimes

the turmoil in Gwendolyn’s expression. He reached out and clasped

to their response. He tactfully

herself and snapped

how familiar are you with Paul Hall, the

fact, I wager he can’t remember some of his ex-girlfriend’s names. He’s inching closer to fifty but still stubbornly living

said, 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,

“How long ago did he announce his relationship with Annie?”

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 days, I believe his feelings for his current girlfriend are genuine. He cherishes her more than any other woman in his past, and I wonder if he has truly fallen in love with

did the math and worked out the timeline of

that too much of a coincidence? They knew each other in Chanaca, and Annie immediately

Paul’s reputation and resources, it was entirely possible to help

you so interested in Paul’s personal life?

question interrupted Gwendolyn’s musings. She answered simply. “It’s nothing. I was just curious,”

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

head throbbed painfully. Gwendolyn grimaced and massaged the

lightest brush across the bruise sent stinging pain over

lap. “Don’t think so

pressed closer to his broad

you feel

again at her husband’s words and shut her eyes, gradually dozing off in his embrace.

felt

I did not manage Astoria competently. I hope you’ll accept my deepest apologies. I did not imagine this would delay your return to Chanaca, but rest assured, this matter is

Gwendolyn and

who struck Gwenny across the

replied, “We’re investigating it. We will not let him off so easily.”

the culprit to Chanaca once

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