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.

existence had never been the issue.

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

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

shift and surmised that there was a deeper story to their response. He tactfully dropped the topic and instructed his staff to prepare a pot of fruit tea

collected herself and snapped

familiar are you with Paul Hall, the count

“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 his ex-girlfriend’s names. He’s inching closer to fifty but still

fortune comfortably. Plus, he actually has an acumen for business. After his father’s death, he

response and asked. “How long ago did he

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

worked

that too much of a coincidence? They knew each other in Chanaca, and Annie immediately got the opportunity to leave the

Paul’s reputation and resources, it was entirely possible to help Annie secure a new identity if she needed

in Paul’s personal life? Do you think it’s related to this

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

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

nerve in her head throbbed painfully. Gwendolyn grimaced and massaged the back of her head.

bruise sent stinging pain over the back of her head.

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

closer to his broad

you feel uncomfortable. I’ll handle

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

felt

imagine this would delay your return to Chanaca, but rest assured, this matter is our police force’s

and gently stroked

struck Gwenny across the

We will not let

you to send the culprit to

Neal trailed off hesitantly. “They may be criminals, but they’re still citizens of Astoria. Interrogating