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

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

himself as he witnessed the turmoil in Gwendolyn’s expression. He reached out and clasped her clenched fists,

that there was a deeper story to their response. He

herself and snapped

the odd Annie and asked Neal, “Mr. Gray, how familiar are you with Paul Hall, the count of Ospea, and

“Paul has too many girlfriends. He has enough exes before Annie to form a football team. In fact, I wager he can’t remember some of

death, he was the sole heir to the family’s wealth, and he put that money to good use in business investments. If you can look past his messy personal life,

long ago did he announce his relationship

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 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

the math and worked out the timeline of their

other in Chanaca, and Annie immediately got the opportunity

possible to help Annie

life? Do

simply. “It’s nothing. I was

had any solid evidence. Voicing her theories now would do more harm than good, allowing her enemies to better prepare

painfully. Gwendolyn

the bruise sent stinging pain over the back of her head.

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

weakly and pressed closer to his

you feel uncomfortable. I’ll handle everything

again at her husband’s words and shut her eyes,

them, Neal felt more apologetic

did not manage Astoria competently. I hope you’ll accept my deepest apologies. I did not imagine this would delay

He looked down at Gwendolyn and gently stroked

you figured out who struck Gwenny across the back

it. We will not let him off so easily.”

the culprit to Chanaca once you find him. I will deal

Neal trailed off hesitantly. “They may be criminals, but they’re still citizens of Astoria. Interrogating and punishing them in Chanaea seems rather inappropriate, don’t you think