The Ex and Her Riches
Chapter 566 Business Trip

Chapter 566 Business Trip 

As contentment surged within Gwendolyn, Sienna continued, “I don’t like this Annie either. Don’t worry,Gwen. I’ll definitely think of a way to help you, but…”

Sienna paused as a troubled expression spread across her face.

After hesitating for a few moments, she held Gwendolyn’s hands and persuaded the latter solemnly,“Gwen, ever since Evelyn’s incident was exposed, Asher handed over all his authority and trulystopped meddling in Evelyn’s matters. He has been repenting all this while. After all this is over, canyou forgive him?”

Gwendolyn lowered her head and silently retracted her hands from Sienna’s grip.

“Sienna, I don’t want to lie to comfort you. Let’s discuss this again after everything has really ended. Atthe very least, I can’t see his changes for now.”

Sienna nodded in understanding, not planning to force her.

The two changed the topic and chatted for a while longer before Sienna got out of Gwendolyn’s luxurycar and left.

As for the situation at Mount Tranquil, they could only wait and observe further. Gwendolyn glanced atthe clock and realized it was about time to get off work. The regular meeting in the afternoon wasforced to be postponed until tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances at Mount Tranquil. Hence, shechose to turn around and drive back to Harrick Villa.

When she got home, Nico was also there. Cedrick was packing his luggage upstairs.

Gwendolyn was puzzled. “Nico, are you guys going on a business trip?”

Nico nodded and replied with all seriousness, “Something came up at the border. It’s a pretty trickysituation to handle, so we must go there at once to check it out. We have to leave tonight.

Gwendolyn could understand since it was an official business matter for the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation.

“How long will you be gone, then?”

Nico thought for a moment before shaking his head honestly. “I’m not sure. If the situation over there ishandled well, we might be back in two days. Otherwise, we might not even be back in a week.”

In other words, she and Cedrick would be separated for at least two days to one week.

While the two were talking, Cedrick came downstairs carrying his packed suitcase.

Seeing that, Nico immediately stepped forward to help him carry the bags.

Cedrick glanced at Gwendolyn in the living room and instructed Nico, “You go ahead and take thesuitcase out first and wait for me outside. I want to talk to Gwenny alone.”

“Okay.” Nico obediently carried the suitcase out and waited patiently in the garden.

Once he left, Cedrick strode toward Gwendolyn, pulling her into his arms and holding her tight.

“I’m sorry. There’s some unrest at Chanaea’s border, so I need to leave tonight. It’ll be agonizing tohave to be separated from you for a few days.

Ket Gwendolyn patted his broad back. “It’s okay. Duty comes first. Remember to protect yourself anddon’t hurt.”

He nodded, earnestly saying to her, “I’m worried you won’t be able to handle everything alone while I’mnot home, so I’ve sent Benny, Zendy, and Mdm. Yarde to Grandpa’s place. If you want to see the

children, just visit them there, Darling. Also, your mania has improved, but you’re not completely curedyet. I’m really concerned, so I discussed it with Joshua. During this period, you don’t have to comeback to Harrick Villa at night. You can go to the laboratory and replace Joshua. There’s a treatment roomthere. The signal at the border is not good, so there might be a delay in replying to your messages. Youmust be more careful until I come back

Gwendolyn gently caressed his stiff jaw, soothing his anxiousness. “Don’t worry. We’re in Chanaea.There aren’t many people who dare to harm me here. I’ll be good this time and follow yourarrangements.”

The two shared an intimate hug and kiss, expressing their reluctance to part.

Their moment was interrupted a few minutes later by Nico’s knock on the door. “Cedrick, it’s gettinglate. If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to reach the border tonight and arrange accommodation.”

The couple inside the house was forced to let go of each other. Gwendolyn saw Cedrick out the door.watching as the two disappeared around the corner of Harrick Villa.

Since Cedrick had already made all the arrangements, she felt it would be pointless for her to stayinside Harrick Villa alone.

She returned to her room, roughly packed a few clothes, and went to the laboratory.

Joshua had already arranged a special room for Gwendolyn for her nightly rest and treatment.

The room had nothing but a hospital bed and a bedside table, devoid of any unnecessary decorations.

Joshua uttered apologetically, “Gwendolyn, the resources in the laboratory are limited, so I can’tprovide you with a better living environment or safer treatment room. You’ll have to make do for a fewdays until Cedrick comes back.”

“That’s all right. It’s just for sleeping at night. I’ve stayed in worse places before. This is not bad at all.At least it’s clean and tidy.”

To prevent her from relapsing during the night, Joshua administered an IV drip for her in advance,increasing the dosage for some of the medications.

After all, he was just a weak scholar. If Gwendolyn had a mania episode, he wouldn’t be able to handleit. He could only call in the laboratory’s security guards to exchange blows with her.

However, as much as he had planned, he didn’t expect Gwendolyn to suffer from insomnia.

Ever since she and Cedrick had gotten their marriage certificate, she had grown accustomed to fallingasleep in each other’s arms. Now that they were separated and she had to rest in a differentenvironment, she felt uneasy.

The toughest first night finally passed, and Gwendolyn went to work at Harris Group as usual the nextday.

As she didn’t sleep last night, she didn’t dare to rest or take a nap during work, fearing she might havean episode after drifting off.

As a result, she could only choose to drink coffee to stay alert.

Meanwhile, at Mount Tranquil, Sienna supported Asher to the ancestral hall in the old villa in theafternoon to begin a new day of punishment and torture.

After twenty whip lashes, the back of his shirt was soaked with blood, and he looked extremelymiserable.

Asher didn’t make a sound from the beginning to the end, accepting his punishment without a word ofcomplaint

Sienna couldn’t bear to see him in that state, and her heart ached terribly. She cried all the way back tothe villa.

By the time she entered the living room of her own villa, she still couldn’t stop sobbing from thedistress. When Annie came down from the guest room on the third floor, she was met with the sight ofa beautiful woman shedding tears. “What’s the matter with you? Who upset you?”

Annie was very concerned, hastily descending the stairs in her slippers and taking a seat besideSienna on the couch.

Sienna wiped her tears with a piece of tissue and sighed in resignation. “You’re a guest, Ms. Annie, I’msorry you have to witness this.”

“You’re being silly.” Annie empathetically passed a piece of tissue to Sienna.

“Mr. Asher and you have been very kind to me, taking care of me like a brother and sister-in-law thesepast few days. I feel pained as well when I see how sad you are.”

Sienna seemed to feel comforted. “You’re truly a good girl.”

After living at the Harris residence on Mount Tranquil for a few days, that was the first time Sienna hadcomplimented Annie. The latter was overjoyed to learn that they were getting along better. “Can you tellme why you’re so upset now?”

Sienna sighed. “This is all because of Asher’s punishment. He injured his knees before and now has achronic condition. Whenever the weather or the season changes, his knees would hurt so much that hecan’t even stand up.”

The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became, and her tears flowed continuouslylike a leaking dam. No matter how much she wiped, they just wouldn’t stop streaming down the corner

of her eyes.

Her soft, tearful voice was laced with hints of desperation as she spoke. “When I applied medicine onhim this morning, I noticed his knees were covered in bruises. Not to mention, the twenty lashes he hasto suffer every afternoon are harsh. His entire back is wounded. When will this beating end?”

Annie sighed as well. Her eyes revealed traces of genuine sympathy as she asked tentatively, “Whatdo you think about Ms. Harris treating Mr. Asher in this manner, Mrs. Harris?”

“What else can I think? She’s the head of the household now, so everyone in the Harris family has tolisten to her.” Sienna wiped her tears. Although her words were respectful, the displeasure on hercountenance was unconcealable.

Annie took note of the changes in Sienna’s facial expression. “Mr. Asher currently doesn’t wield anypower. No matter how Ms. Harris torments and abuses him, he can only endure. However, if you trulyare willing to go idea plan, I can mention this matter to y of Harris Group Seeing Sienna see whority, hecan food away reclaimed his authority, he can to ediently play her role as a teach her to obediently playboyfriend. I think he’ll be glad to help Mr. Asher regnen be considering dering her proposal, Anniradded, “Once Mr. Asher has strip Ms Harris of her status as the head of the family. That housewife andtake care of her children at home

Sienna lowered her gaze as she pondered Annie’s words.

“It may not be a good idea for you to be involved in the Harris family matters. After all, you are not partof the family. If you get involved, people will speculate, and your reputation will be harmed.”

She sighed, gently patting Annie’s hand.

“Although this may not be what you want to hear, it’s the truth. I hope you won’t take it to heart, Ms.Annic.”

Annie gave her an indifferent smile. “I’ve never cared about public opinion. Besides, I consider Mr.Asher and you as family. Once everything is settled, Mr. Asher can announce me as his sworn sister.That will solve the problem, won’t it?”

Sienna paused for a moment, carefully considering the meaning behind Annie’s words. She loweredher head to conceal the emotions in her gaze.

“What do you think?”

Instead of giving a direct answer, Sienna asked, “Aren’t you friends with Gwen? Why would you want torip her of her control in Harris Group?”

Annie didn’t try to hide her intentions. To be honest, we’re just ordinary friends. But I’m the businessdirector of Antea Group, and we can be considered competitors with Harris Group. Since Ms. Harris isunwilling to cooperate with us, I have to replace another way,” she answered straightforwardly.

Sienna nodded thoughtfully.

“I see. If what you said is true, I’ll have a nice chat with Asher about your proposal.”

That would have been enough as an indication that Sienna had agreed, but Annie didn’t seem pleased.She still had some doubts..

“I heard that you have always cherished Gwendolyn, Mrs. Harris. Are you really planning to take herdown? Or are you tricking me?”

Sienna was dabbing her eyes when Annie questioned her. She froze, her eyes staring at Annie in adaze,

Annie chuckled, her lovely and beautiful face amused. “I was just joking. There’s no need to benervous.”

Sienna gracefully discarded the tissue she used to wipe her tears and regained her calm composure asshe explained, “I’ve always treated Gwen as my little sister, but she directed her anger at Asher afterthe incident about the illegitimate daughter. I’ve tried to talk to her a few times, but she always ignoredme.”

The thought of it seemed to sadden Sienna greatly. Annie quickly handed her a tissue and gentlypatted her back to comfort her.

Sienna sighed. “She’s being the most unreasonable one this time. It has been so long since theincident involving the illegitimate daughter, yet she is punishing Asher just because she’s unhappy. Heractions really disappoint me.”

At the mention of Asher’s punishment, Annie felt a pang of sympathy for him as well.

“In that case, please help me to persuade Mr. Asher as soon as possible. Once he agrees, he will beable to