The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

An hour later, all trending topics related to Joaquin had been scrubbed from the internet.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a penalty notice. It cleared Joaquin’s name, explaining he was drunk

when someone took pictures of him for money.

His fans were relieved upon seeing the notice and commented online.

One of them wrote: I told you all there’s no way he’d do such a thing! Those people are just jealous of his

popularity!

Another chimed in: I’m grateful that Joaquin’s name is cleared. Those keyboard warriors who slandered him should

apologize to him!

During the car ride back to Harrick Villa, Gwendolyn browsed the new trending topics on her phone. She was

satisfied with how the incident concluded.

The next day, just as she arrived at Angle, she thought about Patrick and called him.

With the excuse of being Angle’s manager, she told the old man that Joaquin’s schedule was full, so he couldn’t

return to Fairlake for the time being.

Since Fairlake was a long distance away and Patrick couldn’t possibly give Joaquin a beating, the former had no

choice but to give up.

After handling that tricky issue, she reclined in her office chair and sighed in relief.

However, she only relaxed for two seconds before growing tense again.

I don’t know what trap awaits me when I return to the Harris residence tomorrow. I need to be prepared. When her

train of thought ended there, she called Kieran.

The call swiftly connected, and she cut straight to the chase. “I forgot some things that happened fifteen years ago,

Kieran. Do you have any drugs that can help me recall those memories?”

Kieran was usually apathetic and composed, but when he heard her request, he reprimanded, “You’re carrying two

babies right now, yet you’re asking me for drugs? Did you even consider how that’ll affect your children?”

“Erm…” Embarrassed, Gwendolyn replied, “I was just asking, you know? You always have something up your

sleeve.”

“Not this time. Drugs or treatments that affect your psyche aren’t suitable for your current condition. It’ll cause

massive harm.” After a brief moment of contemplation, he found it odd because his sister was usually careful. She

never did things recklessly. “Did you forget something important?”

“Yes, very.” Gwendolyn nodded. It’s related to the endless harm and backstabbing I’ve suffered over the years.

A sigh escaped Kieran’s lips. “There’s nothing more important than your babies right now, Kiddo.”

Caressing her abdomen, she sighed gently. Just as she was about to share her suspicions with Kieran, someone

knocked on the door urgently.

Outside the room, Elven shouted in an anxious and tearful voice, “Something bad has happened, Ms. Gwendolyn!

Mr. Marcus suddenly fell down the stairs this noon! You need to return to the Harris residence with me right away!”

The moment Elven ended his sentence, Kieran abruptly hung up the call.

Looks like Kieran has just received the news as well. Without hesitation, Gwendolyn packed her things and

expeditiously returned to Marcus’ villa on Mount Tranquil.

Leif was expecting her arrival, so he was already waiting for her at the entrance. His eyes were red from crying.

Frowning, Gwendolyn questioned him while stepping into the building. “Dad has been wheelchair-bound all this while

and needs someone to push him around. How did he suddenly fall down the stairs?”

Leif began tearing up again. “I don’t know. Mr. Asher arrived around ten minutes ago and is investigating the

matter. Mr. Treyton is on his way back, and Mr. Kieran has examined Mr. Marcus’ condition…”

Pausing for a moment, he sobbed sadly and choked back on tears. “He said Mr. Marcus is in a bad condition.

There’s a blockage in his brain caused by a blood clot. He’s old, so his physical condition is poor. The risk of him

turning into a vegetable after surgery is great, according to Mr. Kieran. There’s no telling whether Mr. Marcus will

wake up again…”

Gwendolyn felt her heart clench. “How did this happen…”

Leif had worked for Marcus his entire life, which was why he was bawling loudly. He truly cared for Marcus.

Gwendolyn began tearing up, too. Though, out of concern for her babies, she resisted the urge to cry and headed

upstairs.

She had just arrived upstairs when she saw a figure leaving Marcus’ room.

It turned out to be Evelyn, whose eyes were similarly reddened. There were tear stains on her countenance, and

she resembled a frightened little bunny. Anyone would feel sorry for her upon seeing how heartbroken she looked.

Gwendolyn wasn’t surprised by Evelyn’s presence as something dawned upon her. She sneered, “You were the one

who made me lower my guard fifteen years ago, and you were also the person who appeared in my dreams. Your

full name is Evelyn Harris, isn’t it?” I’ve always been suspicious about Evelyn’s identity. Not only did she give me an

inexplicable sense of familiarity, but she also knew about everything that happened to me in Fairlake and seemingly

paid much attention to me. It was just a guess at first, but when she appeared at the villa’s entrance on New Year’s

Eve, I started suspecting her. And now that she’s here after Dad got injured, I can finally connect the dots.

Evelyn was stunned for a moment as she raised her eyebrow. A mocking look flashed past her eyes before she

once again put on an innocent pretense. “I don’t understand what you mean, Ms. Harris. Mr. Marcus saved me in

the past, and I owe him one. That’s why I came to visit him when I heard something had happened to him. That’s

all.”

Upon shooting Evelyn a frosty glare, Gwendolyn made to enter the room, but when she brushed past the former,

she stopped in her tracks and confronted, “How long are you going to keep this act up? Are you going to wait until

tomorrow, when I’m supposed to sign the right to inheritance, before springing a surprise on me? I already know

the truth, though. So, I’m afraid you won’t be able to see me shocked and in disbelief.”

Evelyn arched her eyebrow. With a confident look, she replied, “There’s no need to wait until tomorrow, Ms. Harris.

Although, I think you’ll still be surprised.”

There was clearly an underlying meaning behind her words. Upon ending her sentence, she descended the stairs in

her high heels.

Gwendolyn watched Evelyn’s figure vanish at the corner of the staircase before entering the room to see her

father.

Inside the room, Marcus was lying motionless in bed while wearing an oxygen mask. A heart rate monitor was

sitting on the bedside table, and a needle was jabbed into the back of his hand while his head was wrapped in white

bandages.

Even though the oxygen mask covered half of his weathered face, it couldn’t hide the wrinkles on his countenance

that indicated how much he had aged.

Lorelai was sitting on a nearby chair. When she saw Gwendolyn entering the room, she rolled her eyes disdainfully.

Gwendolyn sat next to the bed and held her father’s hand. While gently caressing his coarse skin with her thumb,

she turned to Lorelai and requested, “Leave. I want to spend some time alone with my dad.”

Scoffing, Lorelai exited the room wordlessly.

Once Lorelai was gone, Gwendolyn said, “While I argued with you about your decision to marry Lorelai in the past, I

never resented you. I understand you want someone to keep you company after Mom passed away so long ago.

However, Lorelai isn’t a good woman. She has always been the one pushing your wheelchair, so how did you

suddenly fall? Is she responsible for what happened to you, Dad?”

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