Chapter 15
697words
Once Asher got the news, he didn't leave his office for the rest of the night. Memories of Gwyneth supporting him back when they started their business flooded his mind.
He was clueless about client negotiations five years ago. Gwyneth took the time to research online and show him the ropes.
His businesses failed for three years straight, and he wouldn't let her use the money the Paynes sent her. She agreed but secretly picked up some nutritional supplements for him.
Regret came over Asher, strong and relentless, like waves pounding the shore. He clutched his head and began crying uncontrollably. He realized he'd truly screwed up.
Gwyneth hadn't seen Asher in two months.
One day, Yvette invited her to join her over coffee. She scrolled through a website and suddenly gasped, "Oh, my gosh, Asher's disappeared!"
Gwyneth stopped stirring her coffee and casually hummed in response. That explained why she hadn't seen him. She'd thought he'd finally wised up.
Yvette went on browsing, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. "Asher's been gone for two months straight. His company's in trouble, and the employees haven't been paid for two months. They've taken it online, demanding he show up and threatening to hunt him down if he doesn't."
Gwyneth blinked, her eyes showing a flash of disdain.
She got home that evening to learn some shocking news—someone had bailed Liana out.
With a somber expression, Kieran said, "I heard her brother covered her bail. Don't go to the company or the factory for the next few days. Just stay home."
Gwyneth narrowed her eyes, understanding that Kieran was worried Liana might come after her.
"Alright," she replied, though she wasn't taking it seriously.
She was about to head upstairs when Kieran tugged at her shirt, his gaze soulful. "Wyn, I mean it. Just do what I say."
Gwyneth turned and caught his gaze, soft and full of concern. He stared at her without blinking, as if waiting for her to agree.
Her heart fluttered. She softened her tone and said, "Kie, I get it."
Kieran furrowed his brows when she called him "Kie".
Gwyneth smiled knowingly. She wasn't blind to it. She'd known how Kieran felt about her for ages and was waiting for him to admit it.
She spent the next few days at home.
…
Gwyneth went out to take the trash one evening, unaware that a man was hiding behind the bin. After tossing it out, she turned around, and the man sprayed something behind her.
Her body went weak, and she passed out. When she woke up, she found herself tied up on a rooftop. The biting wind cut right through her.
Liana sat across from her, legs crossed, watching her with an eerie, menacing stare. She had lost a lot of weight since her imprisonment, and her eyes carried the weight of everything she'd endured.
Behind her was a man who looked about 70% like her, wearing a plaid shirt and looking a lot younger. Gwyneth figured he had to be her brother, Hugh Quayle.
"Awake now?" Liana clapped her hands when she saw Gwyneth open her eyes.
She took Hugh's pocket knife and approached Gwyneth, who seemed lost. Then, she seized Gwyneth by the chin and slashed a cut across her face.
"Gwyneth, did I ever mention that you're as good as dead once I'm out?"
Gwyneth winced as the blood from her right cheek ran down her face and dripped onto her pants. She looked around and saw no high-rises in sight. They had to be in the suburbs.
"Let me go, and I'll forget what happened today," she said.
Liana sneered and pressed the knife against Gwyneth's throat. "You've finally landed in my hands. Do you really think I'll just let you go? How about a little game?"
Liana snapped her fingers, and Hugh set up a stand, propping his phone to film her and Gwyneth.
Gwyneth gave a puzzled look. "What are you trying to do?"
