Chapter 565 Fake Brother

Asher’s face revealed a bitter expression while his eyes reflected a subtle look of mockery, though it was one directed at himself.

“Respond, Mr. Asher. You’ve always been a stickler for the rules. Don’t you know that you should answer honestly when the head of the family asks you a question?”

Gwendolyn tightened her grip on his chin and locked eyes with him, her gaze exuding a look of intimidation.

Asher remained silent. However, his mind wandered back to the words that Annie had whispered to him before she left.

She said, “Now that I’ve spoken up on your behalf, Gwendolyn won’t let you off the hook easily. Are you really not going to consider coming over to my side?”

She probably anticipated Gwendolyn’s arrival and deliberately said those provocative words to threaten our already fragile bond.

At that thought, he inadvertently furrowed his brows. Still, he remained silent throughout.

“Well, well. You did not even say anything truthful. Looks like you’ve chosen to help her!”

Gwendolyn’s anger flared up. Breathing deeply, she straightened her back and released her grip on his chin.

With a cold, disdainful smile, she remarked, “You’re truly her loyal brother. Whenever it comes to her.

you’ll protect her no matter what. Asher, if Evelyn and I are both held at gunpoint one day and you only have one bullet, who would you save? Me or her?”

Asher’s eyes reddened as he saw her icy expression. He reached out to grab her hand. “Kiddo…

However, Gwendolyn took a step back when he stretched out his arm.

The small coffee table between them felt like an insurmountable barrier.

“No matter what, I will thoroughly investigate Annie’s identity. If you try to stop me, don’t blame me for disregarding whatever ties we share and dealing with you too.”

After saying those harsh words, Gwendolyn spun around and walked away.

“Kiddo… Gwendolyn, please listen to me.”

Holding onto his knees, Asher struggled to rise and stop her. However, his legs throbbed with excruciating pain, forcing him to pause for a long moment.

His hoarse voice, coupled with his pained and pitiful expression, conveyed how helpless he was after being abused and distrusted.

Long gone was his once confident and spirited self.

Feeling something stir in her heart, Gwendolyn stopped in her tracks. She turned her head and stared at him coldly. “Tll only hear your explanation once.”

Now that she had given him the opportunity, it was up to him whether he made good use of it.

Gazing intently at her beautiful yet indifferent face, Asher analyzed the advantages and disadvantages for her.

“Evelyn used to have Dad and me backing her up. Now that Dad has passed away and I’m suspended from duty, there’s no one supporting her. You can manipulate her however you want. However, Annie’s different. Paul’s a count of Ospea. He’s got the entire nobility backing him up. If you’re too insistent on finding out Annie’s identity and get into a conflict with Paul, Harris Group will be at a disadvantage. I don’t want you to offend them just for an investigation that might not yield any results.”

He was simply worried that Gwendolyn would bring trouble upon herself and put herself in danger. He was genuinely concerned about her.

Gwendolyn raised her chin arrogantly, her gaze filled with disdain.

“Offending others is what scares me the least. I’ve been playing by the rules over the past few years, yet so many people still want me dead. Even my own brother is helping to conceal the truth from me.

So, what is there left for me to fear?” |

The only way to suppress those evil–doers plotting against her behind the scenes was to become stronger herself. Others, not even those closest to her, were not to be relied upon.

When their eyes met, she cast him a scornful gaze.

Asher’s expression turned pale slowly as his back stiffened.

A bitter taste lingered in his mouth. Unable to explain himself, all he could do was bow his head in resignation and listen as Gwendolyn brought up her past grievances.

“If you’re truly repentant and apologetic, you should tread carefully. You should answer my questions and help expose Annie’s true identity instead of advising me to let her go. You know my temperament well; 1 won’t rest until I have answers.”

After firmly expressing her stance, she stomped out of the ancestral hall without even a glance back.

Leif stood guard outside with two bodyguards, ensuring no one would eavesdrop.

The three of them bowed respectfully when they saw Gwendolyn appear.

She gazed at the distant clouds and instructed the bodyguards, “Bring the whip over. Follow the rules that Mr. Asher has set himself. Remember, it’s twenty lashes every afternoon without fail.”

Leif and the bodyguards exchanged looks, stunned.

Feeling displeased, Gwendolyn frowned. “Are my words useless?”

“We wouldn’t dare to disobey. We’ll carry out your instructions now, Ms. Gwendolyn.”

Mount Tranquil was very big. When Gwendolyn was a child, Marcus had built a small equestrian center at the foot of the mountain as she loved to ride.

On her eleventh birthday, Asher had arranged for her first horse to be transported by air from Astoria as her birthday gift.

She had adored the horse greatly. However, ever since the incident that had her heading for Fairlake, she had never ridden it again.

While she reminisced, the bodyguards had already brought the whip over. After bowing respectfully at her, they entered the ancestral hall.

Asher was still writing inside. Even though he heard the footsteps, he did not falter.

“Apologies, Mr. Asher. The twenty whips are Ms. Gwendolyn’s instructions.”

Maintaining a composed look, Asher placed the pen down elegantly.

As if he was already accustomed to this due to his previous acts of self–abuse, he swiftly removed his jacket. All he wore for the punishment was a thin shirt. He nudged the table forward slightly so that the pages that he had written would not be damaged.

Gwendolyn did not leave immediately. Instead, she stood at the door for a long time until she heard the piercing sounds of the whip.

The sound reverberated through the air, sending chills down one’s spine.

She clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the strange emotions welling up inside her. Step by step, she made her way out of the villa and entered a car to leave Mount Tranquil.

Even though she sat in the car with the windows closed, she felt like she could still hear the echoes of the whipping in the ancestral hall. It was as if she had fallen into a trance.

Every sound grated on her nerves.

Cedrick was right. Regardless of how horrible Asher’s mistakes were, Sienna would always stand with him as his wife.

She shouldn’t have taken out her frustration for Asher on Sienna and burdened Sienna with more trouble and heartache.

Perhaps, she should explain certain things to Sienna beforehand.

With this realization, Gwendolyn decided to call Sienna instead of leaving Asher’s villa.

Ten minutes later, Sienna ran toward the luxurious car.

Even though she was running over, she maintained an air of elegance and composure, reminiscent of her former reputation as the most beautiful air stewardess She opened the car door and sat inside. “You wanted to see me, Gwen?”

“I suppose that you must have some questions about why I punished Asher this time.”

Sienna admitted, “Indeed, I have my doubts. However, I know you’re not one to throw a tantrum or vent your anger on someone without reason. Since you’ve made this decision, I’m sure there must be a purpose and logic behind it.”

Gwendolyn found solace in Sienna’s words. “I’m grateful that you know me well, Sienna”

Cedrick had equipped the limited–edition black Bentley with bulletproof glass after the incident in Astoria. Not only was its metallic body military–grade, but it also had anti–cavesdropping features.

Inside the car, their conversation remained sealed off from the outside world.

Ten minutes later. Sienna understood everything that had happened.

She supported Gwendolyn’s decision. “You’ve always been opinionated. Do whatever you want. I won’t stop you or create more trouble for you.”

Gwendolyn was very touched.

My brother isn’t my actual kin. On the other hand, my sister–in–law’s my real family. She supports everything I do!