Chapter 588 A New Secret

Since Gwendolyn had gotten a head start, Asher and Sienna hurriedly left Mount Tranquil for Summerbank Island.

Thankfully, they arrived at the coast just before Gwendolyn departed for the small island.

“Gwen.”

The sound of Sienna’s voice prompted Gwendolyn to turn around.

When she spotted her eldest brother and his wife, she asked, “Why are you both here, Sienna?”

“Asher was worried about you, so we decided to come and check on you,” explained Sienna.

Gwendolyn turned her attention to Asher, who was staring at her.

The siblings held each other’s gazes for a while before Gwendolyn broke off eye contact.

She offered, “Since you’re here, let’s go to the island together.”

Nico had gathered his men and was on standby on the coastline as planned. They would only charge into the island in an emergency.

Gwendolyn led Sienna and Asher onto a small speedboat and set off for Summerbank Island.

Paul and Annie were already waiting in front of a lavish mansion, looking as though they were holidaying at a resort.

Around eight bodyguards stood behind them, forming an imposing entourage.

Sienna and Asher’s arrival brought a bright smile to Annie’s face. She exclaimed, “Ah, I didn’t know my brother and sister–in–law would join us. You must adore Gwendolyn. You’re worried that something will happen to her even though I’m the one being seized.”

Her enthusiasm was not well–received. Sienna replied coldly, “Who are you calling your sister–in–law?

The only in–law I have here is Gwen.”

The second she ended her retort, Asher pinched her wrist, warning her to bite her tongue and avoid agitating Annie.

They were only a few meters away from Annic, close enough to see her beautiful face scrunch up with displeasure.

Annie asked incredulously, “Why are you acting like this? I may be an illegitimate child, but I still share the Harris blood. Why won’t you love me? I’ve only had myself to rely on, yet Gwendolyn gets to bask in everyone’s love and concern.”“

Tears welled in her eyes. She sounded genuinely upset as she continued, “Why does she deserve that? All I want is for my family to love me. Why must you ruin my life?”

Paul immediately took pity on her and pulled her into his lap. He coaxed, “Annie, Honey, I truly love you. I always will.”

Annie flung her arms around Paul in a tight hug, putting on an Oscar–worthy act for Gwendolyn and the others to witness.

The sight of a twenty–one–year–old girl seeking comfort in the arms of a man in his forties brought a frown to Sienna and Asher’s faces.

Faced with Annie’s accusations, Gwendolyn refuted calmly, “You did all those horrible things yourself.

There isn’t an ounce of morality in you. You should’ve expected the day everyone would turn their backs on you after all your schemes to replace my position in the Harris family.”

Gwendolyn added, “I may have forgotten some things in the past, but if you had approached me with kind intentions in the beginning, our relationship would never have turned out this way. I’m as open-

minded as they can get; I wouldn’t have antagonized you because you were an illegitimate daughter. In fact, I would’ve treated you like a younger sister if you weren’t bent on sabotaging me. You brought this upon yourself.”

Annie’s lips curved into a self–deprecating smirk at her words.

She asked, “If I said I’d like to wipe the slate clean with you and start over, would you agree?”

Gwendolyn’s expression did not budge as she replied, “No. You’ve harmed me too many times. Some people can never turn over a new leaf. You know that better than me; your hatred toward me knows no bounds.”

Annie stared at her coldly but did not refute her words.

Her hatred for Gwendolyn was bone–deep.

Still, she had one last trick up her sleeve.

She removed herself from Paul’s embrace and held Gwendolyn’s gaze. “I know the true reason behind your mother’s death. Wouldn’t you like to know about it, Gwendolyn?”

Gwendolyn instantly frowned. She turned and glared at Asher beside her.

He appeared stunned but firmly shook his head to prove his innocence.

Is there another reason behind our mother’s death? If even I don’t know about it, how could Annie?

Gwendolyn’s disbelief was palpable. “You were so young back then. How could you know about it?

Stop buying yourself time. You’re coming back to the Harris residence with me.”

To their surprise, Annie insisted, “I’m not lying. Mom told me about it. She made me protect the secret.

Since returning to the Harris family will be akin to living in hell, I thought this was a good time to reveal the secret and talk terms.”

Gwendolyn bit her lip and pondered Annie’s proposal.

They had always believed their mother had died of an illness. Her death had caused Gwendolyn and her brothers much anguish, yet now Annie was claiming that there was a different reason behind their mother’s demise.

Should I trust her?

Annic appeared to sense her hesitation and goaded, “What are you scared of, Gwendolyn? Are you fearful of the truth? Or do you suspect me of lying to you?”

After giving her proposal some serious thought, Gwendolyn replied, “I’ll trust you this once. What are you thinking of exchanging?”

A sly expression appeared on Annie’s face as she considered her options.

Gwendolyn reminded her, “I won’t allow you to travel to Ospea with Paul or leave Chanaea. I can take any other request into consideration.”

“Hmm, I can’t think of anything now, but I was hoping you’d enter the villa alone with me. I want to show you something. It’ll tell you the truth about your mother’s death. You’re the only person I’m willing to share this secret with.”

Before Gwendolyn could say a word, Asher cleared his throat and cautioned. “Don’t go, Gwendolyn.

We can slowly investigate the true cause behind Mom’s death if it’s as she claims.”

Alas, Gwendolyn did not trust him. “Back when Evelyn drugged me and attempted to drown me, you covered things up for her for years. If there was another reason behind Mom’s death, wouldn’t we have learned about it by now? Perhaps someone is deliberately concealing the truth again. Who knows?”

Asher paled, aware he was to blame for his sister’s mistrust. He could not fault her for doubting his intentions, but still, he insisted, “I know I’ve wronged you in the past, but can’t you heed my advice now? I really have no idea that there’s more to Mom’s death than we know. Please don’t trust Annie.

We’ll investigate this when we’re back.”

Annie fanned the flames by taunting, “What are you scared of, Asher? Gwendolyn is a trained fighter, while I can barely lift my arm. How can I assault her? I should be praying that she won’t beat me up once we’re alone.”

Asher offered a compromise, “Then I’ll go in with both of you. As the eldest Harris son. I deserve to know the secret behind Mom’s death too.”

His continued show of concern for Gwendolyn caused Annie’s expression to sour. She said scornfully.

“Too bad. I don’t want to tell you about it. I only want to tell my beloved older sister.”

Gwendolyn had never gotten over her mother’s death. At that time, when she craved emotional support, Charles had ended up in the Central Intelligence Agency, which eventually led them to become estranged.

If there was truly another reason behind her mother’s death, Gwendolyn was determined to seek it out.

Nonetheless, Annie was a scheming woman, and Gwendolyn could not afford to let down her guard.

Gwendolyn proposed, “Fine. I’ll go in alone with you. This had better not be one of your schemes again, or I will not hold back from teaching you a lesson.”

Then, she turned to Sienna and instructed, “Tell Nico to lead his troop onto the island, Sienna. Have them stand guard outside the villa. If I don’t come out within ten minutes, or if an accident happens, arrest everyone here, nobility or not. Yes, that includes Paul.

Sienna immediately agreed. “Don’t worry, Gwen. Be careful. We’ll keep a lookout here to protect you.”

Gwendolyn nodded, feeling reassured with things in Sienna’s hands.

Before she followed Annie into the villa, she instinctively looked toward Asher, who appeared somber.

However, she quickly averted her gaze without saying a word further and walked into the villa.

To seek revenge on Gwendolyn, Annie had gotten plastic surgery to eliminate any hint of resemblance to the sister with whom she shared a father.

Still, they continued to share many similarities in their facial features.

Annie began chatting casually while she led them deeper into the villa.

“I’ve never understood how you’re such a lucky woman, Gwendolyn. You simply won’t die, no matter how many tricks I have up my sleeve.”

“That’s because you’re too stupid,” came Gwendolyn’s frosty reply.