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Chapter 276
Chapter 276
Chapter 276 Celebrations Abound
In the sterile confines of the hospital room at the laboratory, Gwendolyn spent the night alongside Cedrick.
By dawn, she took Cedrick back to the villa.
In accordance with Joshua’s advice, she drafted a health plan for Cedrick.
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It mainly outlined that he refrained from smoking, drinking, and engaging in physical intimacy with Gwendolyn. In addition, Cedrick should follow a diet abundant in fruits and vegetables and a daily regimen of moderate exercise.
Cedrick watched her enthusiastic manner and merely nodded, accepting her arrangements without a word.
Once home, Gwendolyn headed to the kitchen to prepare some oatmeal.
After they were done with breakfast, she said, “I have something on today and must return to the Harris residence. In the meantime, don’t head to Jenson Group if you have nothing important to attend to. If any paperwork requires your attention, have Nico bring it over.”
Surprised, Cedrick asked, “Since you’re returning to the Harris residence, do you need me to accompany you?”
“No need,” Gwendolyn replied.
She served him another bowl of oatmeal, concealing the unease in her eyes. C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.
“You just had an episode of angina yesterday. You’re still weak, so don’t go around wandering. Rest for a few days and gather your strength,” Gwendolyn said.
Cedrick was a little concerned, especially when he noticed her change of clothes upon returning to their villa.
Gwendolyn usually favored dresses. However, she had changed into a pair of sturdy jeans paired with a crisp white t–shirt. The attire accentuated her tall, slender figure. It was a simple and clean look.
Something about her sudden change of style felt off to Cedrick.
“It seems like your eldest brother is still in Salinsburgh. I’m not comfortable with you going back alone,” Cedrick uttered.
Gwendolyn chuckled. “Asher dotes on me the most. What could he possibly do to me?”
The man fell silent, a quiet melancholy settling over him.
Gwendolyn planted a kiss on his forehead and soothingly ran her fingers through his hair. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him know that we’ve slept together previously. Just stay put at home. I’ll return once I’ve finished my business, all right?”
“Okay,” he mumbled,
Gedrick’s irritation was pacified by her touch.
Satisfied, Gwendolyn headed out the door.
Chapter 276 Celebrations Abound
She drove back to Mount Tranquil all alone, not to Marcus‘ villa but straight to Asher’s.
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When Gwendolyn arrived at Asher’s villa, she lingered at the entrance. She took several deep breaths to steady her nerves. Then, after making sure that her jeans were thick enough, she mustered the courage to ring the doorbell.
As she raised her hand, the door was opened from the inside.
Gwendolyn froze as she found herself under the chilling scrutiny of Asher’s piercing gaze. Dressed immaculately in an exquisite azure suit, he emanated a commanding and intense aura.
“Hi, Asher! What a coincidence. Are you heading out? Have you and your wife had breakfast yet?” Gwendolyn awkwardly withdrew her hand with a sheepish smile.
Asher narrowed his eyes. “I wouldn’t call this a coincidence. I had just come downstairs when I noticed you sneaking in from the garden. What are you trying to do?”
Gwendolyn let out a nervous laugh. “Hah, what do you mean, Asher? I’m here to look for you. Why did you make it sound like I’m sneaking around?”
Asher was too familiar with her antics but didn’t feel like exposing her. Instead, he turned around and retreated to his living room couch.
Gwendolyn trailed behind him, her gaze flickering toward the second floor. “Isn’t Sienna home today? She left so early?”
Her palms were slick with sweat. If Sienna isn’t around, aren’t I at risk of suffering a severe beating today?
“She’s upstairs, in the study. Are you here for her?” Asher asked in a casual tone. He reached into the drawer of the coffee table, rummaging for a cigarette.
However, he decided against lighting it when he recalled Gwendolyn’s dislike toward the smell of cigarette smoke and put it back into the drawer. Then, he fixed his sister with a stare.
Gwendolyn’s fears were just starting to ebb away when she noticed Asher’s stern gaze. She was already feeling guilty to begin with. Hence, she began to tremble uncontrollably under his scrutinizing gaze.
She felt her legs giving way as she slumped to the ground on her knees, deciding that it was the best course of action.
Beneath the coffee table and the living couch was a plush, round rug. Shrewd as she was, she had chosen a soft
spot to land her knees, so it did not hurt at all.
Asher watched her theatrics with a hint of amusement before his lips curved into a smile. However, his eyes were cold and stern. “How apt. Would you care to remind me what I told you previously?”
Gwendolyn lowered her gaze as her voice took on a pitiful tone. “You said that if I ever slept with him again, you would break my legs, and no one could persuade you otherwise.”
“So, Ms. Harris, how many times have you slept with him, then?”
The sarcastic way he addressed her as Ms. Harris was enough to send a shiver down Gwendolyn’s spine. This, she realized, was the calm before the storm. A chilling dread filled her.
“I think… four or five times?”
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Chapter 276 Celebrations Abound
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As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a blast of icy fury emanating from her brother. Hastily, she added, “I know you only have my best interests at heart, Asher. You worry that if in the end, Cedrick and I don’t end up together, I’ll suffer the gesticulations of others from the rumors of us living together, and worse, sleeping together. You’re concerned about my reputation among the noble families. But Asher, I’ve never cared about others‘ opinions. As long as I live freely and boldly, that’s enough. As for Cedrick, he’s been good to me—”
Asher interjected her with a cold chuckle. “Is that so? I heard that he’s been spending a lot of time with the celebrity spokesperson from Jenson Group recently. He has little self–discipline. Do you still consider this to be good to you?”
Gwendolyn blinked in surprise. “Where did you hear that, Asher?”
“The celebrity’s manager spilled the beans about your fight in Jenson Group. If it weren’t for my intervention, your lover’s spat would have unsettled the stocks of both our families for days,” Asher said.
Evelyn is such a troublemaker!
A wave of repulsion washed over Gwendolyn, but there were more pressing matters at hand.
She lowered her head, at a loss about how to explain to Asher, especially since she still couldn’t disclose Cedrick’s condition to her brother.
Asher rose from his chair, rolling up his suit sleeves. His every move was imbued with an air of nobility and grace. His tone, however, was ominous. “What excuse do you intend to spin for me this time, you sly girl?”
“I wouldn’t dare!” Gwendolyn immediately said.
Her face turned pale at his obvious readiness to mete out punishment. “We had a misunderstanding, and we did fight a few days ago, but we made up last night. I believe Cedrick wouldn’t dare betray me.”
“He’s betrayed you once before. You trust him, but I can’t say I do! You’ve only just reconciled, and he’s already arguing with you. To top it all off, he’s fraternizing with some starlet. I’ll make him pay!” Asher chided.
Asher’s jawline hardened as he crouched down before Gwendolyn. His tone took on a rare gentle tone, “Little sister, I won’t punish you this time. Instead, I will help you get out of this marriage arrangement. After that, I will deal with that scoundrel. If you can’t marry into another noble family, I will look after you for the rest of your life.”
“No, Asher!” Gwendolyn cried out. Noticing the murderous look in her brother’s eyes, she continued in a determined tone, “I will not back out of this marriage. Besides, I’m always the one initiating, so it’s all my fault. Please, don’t bother yourself with his life. You… you should punish me instead!”
The air seemed to freeze.
Gwendolyn kept her head low, struggling to breathe under the weight of Asher’s fury. She gulped with a lump in her throat.
Despite her privileged upbringing as the daughter of the Harris family, her fear of Asher had been carved into her bones.
She was about the same age as her third brother, Treyton. Growing up, both of them were very naughty, and their parents failed to discipline them. Hence, they were tamed under Asher’s iron fists. The mere thought of Asher’s physical punishment still sent shivers down her spine.
Chapter 276 Celebrations Abound
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Gwendolyn trembled with fear but had to steel herself, for she needed to bring up the matter of Charles. It was only after enduring this round of punishment that she could get down to business.
Without uttering a word, Asher rose to his feet. His austere countenance and menacing gaze were enough to strike fear into the bravest hearts.
“So, it seems like you’ve come here to ask for a beating, huh? Very well, I shall oblige,” Asher uttered.
In one swift movement, he undid the buckle of his belt and slid it from his waist, folding it neatly in half. Pointing toward a nearby couch’s armrest, he icily commanded, “Lie down there.”