Chapter 575 Scheme

The sharp dagger cut through the air, aiming straight at Gwendolyn’s face.

However, just as the blade was about to make contact with Gwendolyn’s skin, she forcefully grasped Annie’s wrist.

Annie stared at Gwendolyn’s hands, which were supposed to be bound behind her back, in slight shock. “How is it possible that you’re not tied up?”

When she pressed Gwendolyn’s thumb against the document earlier, she had checked and ensured the ropes were tight.

Gwendolyn spread her hand and showed Annie the small blade in her left palm.

Clarity washed over Annie instantaneously. “Sienna was indeed putting up an act with you. You’re so cunning, Gwendolyn.”

Gwendolyn snorted, swiftly disarming Annie, and gripped the latter’s throat. She raised her right hand and swung it at Annie’s delicate face, slapping her mercilessly.

Having been slapped the second time on the same side of her face, Annie screamed in pain, “Let go of me, Gwendolyn Harris!”

“Who are you to call me by my name?” Gwendolyn looked at her coldly. “You’d never know who has the upper hand until the very last moment.”

After saying that, Gwendolyn slapped Annie again twice with all her might.

The corner of Annie’s lips cracked and bled, causing her to look miserable.

Panicking, she turned to the door and yelled like a crazy person, “Help! Someone, help! Paul!”

However, no matter how hard she tried calling for help, there was not a single sound outside.

Gwendolyn regarded Annie with a mocking expression. “Paul has toyed with so many girls. Even though you’re his latest favorite, how much do you really matter to him? You’ll find out soon.”

Following that, Gwendolyn made her move again, effortlessly pinning Annie’s hands behind her back and swiftly tying Annie up with the rope Annie used to bind her. She then viciously yanked at Annie’s hair, forcing Annie to get on her feet.

Tears welled up in Annie’s eyes from the pain. Her physique was weak, and in addition to having zero experience in combat, she was utterly powerless when matched up against Gwendolyn.

She shrieked hysterically while Gwendolyn dragged her outward.

Gwendolyn booted the door open and noticed the few bodyguards standing outside had disappeared.

Annie also scanned their surroundings.

Under the moonlight, two groups of people were running toward them.

One group consisted of Gwendolyn’s subordinates from Shadow Bell.

Gwendolyn didn’t recognize the other party at first, but as they came closer, she saw a few familiar faces and realized they were Asher’s private soldiers.

Her gaze darkened at once, and when those people arrived before her, she asked frostily, “Did Asher send you here to rescue Annie or me?”

“What?”

The man leading the party was momentarily puzzled before regaining his senses. “Of course Mr. Asher sent us to save you. He was worried about you, so he quickly contacted us after you were taken away.

We checked the surveillance footage along the highway and followed the trail all the way here.”

Gwendolyn fell silent while wearing a poker face.

One of her subordinates from Shadow Bell stepped forward and took the initiative to report, “Boss, we’ve apprehended the four bodyguards stationed at the door earlier. In addition, on our way here, someone drove away in several vans, and we didn’t manage to catch those people.”

Gwendolyn, sneering, yanked Annie’s hair forcefully. “Did you hear that? Paul left you behind and fled.

How much do you think he loves you? He was scared of getting implicated in my kidnapping, so he escaped as fast as he could. You’ve been abandoned.”

Tears welled up in Annie’s eyes, but not because she was upset. Instead, she was tearing up involuntarily because of the pain from how hard Gwendolyn was tugging her hair.

She remained silent as she listened to Gwendolyn’s sarcastic remarks.

The subordinate from Shadow Bell asked further, “Boss, should we turn over the four tied- up bodyguards to the police?”

Gwendolyn rejected without hesitation. “That’s not necessary. Release them. Return them to Paul and tell them to relay a message to him saying that I. Gwendolyn Shalders Harris, have Scheme helped him deal with this wicked woman, Annie.”

“Understood, boss.”

Gwendolyn cast a glance at Annie’s pathetic appearance and handed her to Asher’s private soldiers.

“Bring her back to the old villa on Mount Tranquil and lock her in the basement.”

“Yes, Ms. Harris.”

After ascertaining Gwendolyn’s safety, Asher’s private soldiers hastily hoisted Annie turned to leave.

Gwendolyn followed behind and got into another car, which was also heading back to Mount Tranquil.

The reason she didn’t want to report the incident to the police was that once the authorities got involved, Annie would be brought to the police station and detained in an interrogation room.

Although Annie refused to admit her identity, Gwendolyn didn’t believe a word she said. Gwendolyn only placed her trust in her own intuition and the ultimate truth. I’m holding her captive in the basement first. After confirming her identity, I’ll punish her according to the family’s rules. There’s no need to alert the public.

While she was pondering, the luxury car arrived at Mount Tranquil within half an hour.

Asher’s private soldiers, who had left in advance, had already locked Annie in the basement.

The first thing Gwendolyn did upon returning to Mount Tranquil was head to the basement of the old villa.

The basement’s heavy door was left ajar, allowing some light from the corridor to filter in.

Annie sat in the middle of the dusty floor. The swell on her face from getting slapped hadn’t subsided.

She appeared utterly miserable, and the pitiful expression in her eyes, in particular, made her appear like the victim.

Gwendolyn strode in on her high heels and approached Annie, staring at the latter condescendingly.

Annie looked up unabashedly. “I did kidnap you, but you’re doing the same thing to me by bringing me here. Isn’t this also a crime?”

Instead of answering the question, Gwendolyn asked, “Annie, I suppose you’re not unfamiliar with this basement.”

Annie smiled. “What do you mean by that, Ms. Harris? I don’t understand. This is my first time visiting the basement of the Harris residence.”

Gwendolyn snorted and slowly squatted down. “Do you think I won’t notice anything amiss just because you adamantly refuse to admit your identity? To me, every word you say and every expression on your face are full of flaws.”

The icy grin on Annie’s countenance gradually stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“I investigated Annie Steinfeld. Even though her parents died tragically, she still lived a carefree life with the help of subsidies and scholarships. Her father was a wealthy businessman, so she must’ve led a pampered life. If this were her first time being locked in a basement, she should be feeling scared and at a loss.” Gwendolyn paused, pinched Annie’s chin, and flashed a disparaging smile. “However, when I entered earlier, I didn’t sense the slightest hint of fear in your eyes. Instead, I saw merely a calmness beyond someone your age should possess, as if you’ve been through this before.”

Annie scoffed. “You think I’m Evelyn just because of that? Don’t you think you’re being too hasty in making your judgment?”

“That’s right. In the face of solid evidence, all guesses are just assumptions. So, do you think I can’t do anything to you because you firmly refuse to divulge the truth?”

Annie met Gwendolyn’s eyes and was slightly taken aback by the latter’s composed and sharp gaze.

However, the next second, Gwendolyn violently grabbed Annie’s hair again and forcefully pulled out several strands.

Annie couldn’t help but scream in pain.

Gwendolyn snorted and got up to leave. “Think about what I’ve said while staying in the basement. I’ll soon do a DNA test for us. I believe the results will be out very soon.”

Hearing the words “DNA test,” Annie finally panicked. “Gwendolyn, come back!”