Chapter 530 How Did She Accomplish That

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.

Evelyn’s existence had never been the issue.

It was the revelation that Evelyn’s backer was none other than Gwendolyn’s father, Marcus, and Asher’s decision to cover up Evelyn’s crimes which truly hurt Gwendolyn.

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

A sharp-eyed Neal noticed their mood 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 for his guests.

Eventually, Gwendolyn collected herself and snapped out of her reminiscence.

She suddenly remembered the odd Annie and asked Neal, “Mr. Gray, how familiar are you with Paul Hall, the count of Ospea, and his girlfriend?”

Neal mulled over her question before replying, “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 stubbornly living the lifestyle of a playboy bachelor.”

He continued. “That 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, 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, he’s a decent choice as a business partner.”

Gwendolyn digested Neal’s lengthy response and asked. “How long ago did he announce his relationship with Annie?”

“Frankly, I’m not sure 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 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 her.”

Gwendolyn silently did the math and worked out the timeline of their relationship.

Isn’t that too much of a coincidence? They knew each other in Chanaca, and Annie immediately got the opportunity to leave the country.

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

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

asked Neal.

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

Everything was still her conjecture before they had any solid evidence. Voicing her theories now would do more harm than good, allowing her enemies to better prepare for their counter.

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

Even the lightest brush across the bruise sent stinging pain over the back of her head.

Cedrick noticed her discomfort and pulled her into his lap. “Don’t think so hard, Gwenny. It’ll tire you out. You’re still injured.”

She nodded weakly and pressed closer to his broad chest.

“Take a nap if you feel uncomfortable. I’ll handle everything else.”

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

From across them, Neal felt more apologetic than ever.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Jenson. All this happened because 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 our police force’s top priority. We will leave no stone unturned to seek the truth.”

Cedrick’s expression remained lukewarm. He looked down at Gwendolyn and gently stroked her back, hoping to ease her pain.

“Have you figured out who struck Gwenny across the back of the head?”

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

“To make up for the ambush, I would like you to send the culprit to Chanaca once you find him. I will deal with him myself,” said Cedrick coldly.

“Well…” 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 so?”

Cedrick would not be deterred. He insisted, “These assassins are all orphans and were raised by organizations in the black market. They are not on your country’s official census and pose a danger to national security. I only want the person who struck Gwenny. No one will know if you secretly send him to Chanaca.”

Neal fell silent, his resolve wavering.

Allowing Cedrick to take one person away was no big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Still, Neal had not yet inherited the throne. If someone knew of his actions and reported them to the king. Neal would be in hot soup.

Plus, he had always preferred playing by the book.

Neal shared his concerns. “I’ll be frank, Mr. Jenson. My role as heir apparent to the throne fills me with constant fear. I must watch my steps carefully lest someone jumps on the chance to threaten my position! Secretly bringing the culprit abroad is out of the question. Once I identify the culprit, I promise I’ll inform the king and do my best to get a green light on your proposal.”

Cedrick knew Neal’s disposition all too well and did not protest.

It was as good as a silent acquiescence to Neal’s decision.

The lounge instantly plunged into silence.

Neal busied himself drinking his fruit tea while Cedrick cradled his wife, who was sound asleep.

He would not move an inch even if his legs cramped as long as it ensured Gwendolyn’s comfort.

The silence lasted for several minutes before a police officer knocked on the lounge door and entered.

The officer greeted Neal courteously before turning to Cedrick. “We’ve begun the third wave of individual interrogations. The chief would like me to ask you some questions in the meantime.”

Cedrick did not lift his gaze as he replied, “Shoot.”

“Do you or your wife have any known enemies? Or particularly hostile competitors?”

“Far too many, but little that we know of in Astoria.”

The officer jotted down some notes and asked, “Are there any suspects you’d like to highlight in this investigation?”

Cedrick glanced at Gwendolyn. Thoughts of Gwendolyn’s doubts about Annie’s identity surfaced in his mind unbidden. His gaze cooled as he said, “Yes. Paul Hall.”