Chapter 576 Hitting Off

Gwendolyn paid no heed to her. After securing a lock of her hair, she turned around to leave without looking back.

After leaving the basement, the first thing Gwendolyn did was to call Kieran.

The call connected swiftly.

Kieran’s typically cool and pleasant voice greeted her. “What’s up, Kiddo?”

Gwendolyn glanced at the lock of Annie’s hair in her palm before she asked, “When are you planning to return? Have you read the message I sent you the other day?”

Kieran blinked, suddenly remembering that he had forgotten to reply to her last message.

“I’ve booked the flight. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should arrive at Salinsburgh Airport before noon tomorrow,” he replied.

Gwendolyn felt considerably more at ease after getting a specific time. “Is my future sister- in-law coming with you?”

Kieran remained silent for a while before replying in a shy tone, “Yes.”

Gwendolyn detected the hint of shyness in his voice and was glad. “That’s good. I will send bodyguards to pick you up at the airport. Your villa at Mount Tranquil will be cleaned and ready for your arrival.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow,” he said.

“See you tomorrow,” Gwendolyn echoed softly.

After hanging up, she ordered the six bodyguards she had specifically brought in, “Guard the basement well. Do not let anyone in except me, and that includes Asher.”

“Yes, Ms. Harris.”

With everything set, Gwendolyn left Mount Tranquil to continue her treatment and rest at the lab.

After undergoing these treatment sessions, her manic symptoms significantly improved. She was eager to recover quickly and return to a normal life with Cedrick By noon the next day, when Gwendolyn arrived at Mount Tranquil, Kieran and Inez had already arrived at the villa.

Sienna was also there. It was her first time meeting Inez, and she had specifically come to meet her sister-in-law and establish their relationship in advance.

Inez could feel that Sienna was very kind and friendly, not looking down on her because the Mossey family was just an unassuming wealthy family in Fairlake.

Gwendolyn was greeted by the harmonious sight as soon as she entered the living room of the villa.

It seemed that Sienna and Inez hit it off well, despite it being their first meeting. Their mutual fondness was evident in their eyes.

The main couch was empty, reserved specifically for Gwendolyn.

Despite the jovial atmosphere, Gwendolyn had pressing matters to attend to. Reluctantly, she decided to play the role of the killjoy, disrupting their friendly chat.

“Kieran, I don’t fully trust our domestic hospitals. Could you help me with a paternity test?” she asked.

She pulled out a small bag from her branded purse, inside were a few strands of hair labeled “Annie Steinfeld.”

Another bag had her own name on it, making it easy to distinguish between the two.

She handed the two small bags to Kieran. “How long before we can get the results? We need them as soon as possible.”

Kieran nodded seriously. “To ensure the accuracy of the DNA test, I’ll have to run it three to four times.

It will take at least two to three hours.”

Gwendolyn ran the hours in her head. If all went well, they could have the results by the afternoon.

That was fast enough.

“I’ll have to trouble you then, Kieran.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” he replied.

Kieran took the strands of hair and turned to head upstairs. As a leader in the medical world, his villa was well-equipped with medical equipment.

The moment he left, the living room was left with just three women.

However, it wasn’t quite the stage set for drama.

They presented a harmonious front, both externally and internally.

Gwendolyn hadn’t seen Inez in quite a while, and now, the latter had become her sister-in- law.

Gwendolyn was glad that her usually aloof second brother had finally settled down and found herself instinctively caring a little more for Inez.

“Has my brother been good to you in Fairlake?” she asked. “He’s kind of emotionally stunted, but he’s also extremely devoted. Once he sets his mind on someone, it’s hard for him to change it. If he ever dares to treat you badly, just tell me and Sienna. We’ll set him straight.”

Inez’s cheeks flushed as a wave of embarrassment washed over her. “Well, he hasn’t bullied me. He’s pretty nice, even though his actions are sometimes… odd. He can be quite exasperating.”

At this, the three women broke out into laughter.

Once Kieran was busy, he tended to forget to eat and sleep.

He didn’t even come downstairs for lunch.

Gwendolyn knew his habits well enough not to disturb him.

Sienna also went back to Asher’s villa for lunch, leaving Gwendolyn and Inez alone.

Seeing Gwendolyn this time, Inez was filled with thoughts. “The last time we met was in Fairlake. I didn’t know your identity as the daughter of the Harris family. I even mistook your affection for Kieran and almost made things awkward. In hindsight, I really should apologize.”

Gwendolyn wasn’t one to hold grudges over little things.

“I intended to hide my identity, so it was only natural that you didn’t know. Besides, you never bore me any ill will, never tried to hurt me. It just proves that you’re a genuinely kind- hearted girl,” Gwendolyn reassured her.

Inez chuckled. “Kind-hearted? I wouldn’t hesitate to fight back against those who harm me. I just don’t go out of my way to provoke others.”

Gwendolyn found herself agreeing wholeheartedly with Inez. Their personalities, surprisingly, were incredibly similar.

Both were strong, career-driven women with soft hearts under their tough exteriors.

The more they chatted, the more connected they felt.

“Why did you want a DNA test this time?” Inez asked.

“I suspect my father’s illegitimate daughter has returned to stir up trouble. I need to confirm her identity.”

The two women found common ground on this issue too.

“I understand. I have a half-sister from my father’s affair, too. It’s incredibly annoying. I was almost left in a vegetative state because of Natasha,” Inez quipped.

The more Inez thought about it, the more she felt grateful for Gwendolyn. If the latter hadn’t called Kieran to treat her back then, who knew what could have happened?

“But I consider myself lucky. Thanks to you, I didn’t even have to lift a finger. Natasha was sent to jail and is long forgotten now.”

However, little did she know that the ex-husband, Maverick, was Gwendolyn’s current husband, Cedrick.

A faint smile adorned Gwendolyn’s face. What happened in Fairlake seemed like a distant past now.

After all, why bother to bicker with the dead? Besides, Cedrick treated her extraordinarily well, showering her with tender affection that left no detail unnoticed.

Their conversation spanned from illegitimate daughters to hobbies, and from hobbies to work.

With a strong passion for her career, Inez seized the opportunity at the dining table to forge a partnership with Gwendolyn.

In fact, Gwendolyn was more than happy to bolster the influence of Inez’s family in Fairlake.

After lunch, the two retreated to the garden’s small fishpond, feeding the fish and engaging in endless banter. Their shared interests kept the conversation flowing as if they could never exhaust the topics at hand.

Their chatter was interrupted only by the arrival of Kieran.

“Kiddo, the results are in.”

Kieran descended the stairs holding the test results with a stern look on his face.

His voice stilled the feeding of the fishes, and the two women returned to the living room.