The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Cedrick agreed without hesitation. “Of course. It’s only right. I will marry Gwenny and take full responsibility!”

Kieran narrowed his eyes and gave the other man a scathing look. “Do you think everything will be solved if you just

took responsibility?”

Gwendolyn knew her brother well enough.

He has a grudge against Cedrick. Knowing how vengeful he is, he’s not going to let it slide without teaching Cedrick

a lesson he will never forget.

“I’m to blame too, Kieran,” she said hastily. “Ceddy had just recovered. Don’t torment him.”

Kieran was unmoved. “He wouldn’t learn to treasure you if I don’t teach him a lesson. Does he think that asking for

your hand in marriage is all he needs to do to court the daughter of the Harris family?”

“Kieran…”

Gwendolyn took a step forward, but Cedrick stopped her. “I will do whatever you ask of me,” he said in a level

voice. “Nothing is off limits!”

“Very well.”

Upon obtaining the man’s promise and regarding him with one last haughty glare, Kieran rose and turned to leave.

Gwendolyn called out to him nervously, “Does Asher know, Kieran? You didn’t tell him, did you?”

Kieran would not bear to hurt her, but it was Asher who had disciplined her ever since she was young; he would

never let both her and Cedrick off the hook.

Pausing in his stride, Kieran said begrudgingly, “Own up on New Year’s Eve.”

Gwendolyn heaved a sigh of relief. Sounds like Asher doesn’t know yet.

Placating her racing heart, she was thankful that her legs would remain functional for another two days.

Noticing it all, Cedrick took her hand. “Are you that afraid of Asher?”

“He will blow his lid if he finds out. This isn’t some small matter, either. He will never forgive me, much less you.”

Cedrick stroked her hair and pulled her close to him. “Don’t worry. Nobody will harm a hair on your head with me

around.”

“Don’t bother acting tough. Your fate will be worse than mine.” Gwendolyn’s brows creased. Her expression was

taut with unease. “It can’t let it come to that. I’ll think of something to help Asher get over it as quickly as possible.”

At long last, New Year’s Eve finally arrived.

That noon, Gwendolyn, Cedrick, and Nico went to Valentino’s house for lunch.

Later that day at night, Cedrick prepared some exquisitely boxed gifts and, together with Gwendolyn, ascended

Mount Tranquil straight up to Marcus’ villa at the peak.

It was lively in the villa.

Lorelai, Asher, Sienna, Kieran, and Treyton were there.

Cedrick did not have a mask on this time when he arrived at the Harris residence with Gwendolyn. Thus, Lorelai was

struck dumb when she saw him.

“You’re so handsome, Mr. Jenson! It appears that the rumors are false!”

Cedrick remained willfully silent.

With a sneer, Gwendolyn cast Lorelai a scathing look. “Of course, the rumors do not hold a candle against the real

thing. Those feeding off the rumors must be feeling awful now that they see Ceddy’s face, I’m sure.”

Lorelai shot her stepdaughter a fierce glare. She did feel awful, as though she had swallowed ten lemons in a row.

Her chest was heaving as though it was going to explode.

As it was New Year’s Eve, Marcus had warned Lorelai ahead of time to behave herself as Gwendolyn, her fiancé,

and her brothers were coming home, and that she would not win an argument against Gwendolyn.

At the unpleasant reminder, Lorelai scoffed imperiously, rolled her eyes, and turned to leave.

Gwendolyn did not deign to spare the woman another glance. Instead, she dragged Cedrick into the villa.

Upon crossing the threshold, Sienna dragged Gwendolyn over to do some crafts while Treyton marched Cedrick out

to light some fireworks.

As it was a day for family, Marcus gave the servants the night off; even the chef was heading home after preparing

dinner. Thus, they had to light the fireworks themselves.

The deafening blasts went on for a long time. The air in the villa was thick with anticipation for the new year.

Throughout the meal, however, the dinner table was silent. Though they were all in excellent spirits, they appeared

to be preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Gwendolyn cleared her throat.

Cedrick set his spoon down at once. Wiping his lips elegantly with a napkin, he broke the silence.

“Aside from coming with Gwenny for dinner, Mr. Marcus, I actually have something important to share with you all.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Gwendolyn tightened her grip around her cutlery and glanced at Asher.

She noticed that his brows were deeply furrowed as if he was absorbed in something else.

It was so quiet that only the crisp clattering of cutlery could be heard.

With a solemn look, Cedrick continued, “Gwenny is seven weeks pregnant with twins. We were planning to

announce it in three months’ time, but since we are all family, we would like to take advantage of the happy

occasion to share this wonderful news.”

Marcus and Sienna were delighted by the news, while Lorelai was shocked and dismayed. She stared at

Gwendolyn’s belly with a look of jealous resentment.

Meanwhile, Kieran was impassive, for he had already known several days prior.

Treyton, on the other hand, nervously gulped some soup and glanced at his eldest brother. He, too, had been

informed by Gwendolyn ahead of time via a text message.

Out of all of the different reactions, however, Asher’s was the biggest.

His fork fell to the table with a clatter, his severe gaze filled with shock and rage.

A sudden, deafening bang sounded. Gwendolyn, who was already feeling guilty, shuddered at the noise and buried

her face in her hands. Cedrick pulled her into his arms and comforted her.

“Are you really pregnant?” Asher gnashed his teeth and fixed his glare on Gwendolyn in Cedrick’s arms. “What did

you promise me, Gwendolyn? Is this your answer to my question?”

Marcus cleared his throat. His stentorian voice drew the spotlight back to him.

“This is a joyous occasion indeed. I will have a grandchild in my arms in a matter of months! Well done, Honey!

Asher, on the other hand, can’t even get Sienna pregnant after all this time. You are the one who deserves to be

told off!”

Sienna flushed crimson and hung her head in embarrassment.

Asher did not say much else as he could not confront Gwendolyn in front of their father.

After subduing his eldest son, Marcus turned to regard Kieran and Treyton. “And you two. Still no wives! When can

hold my grandchildren? You two aren’t even trying.”

The brothers hung their heads and continued eating in silence.

Kieran had never planned to have a relationship. Cool and impassive, he did not let the admonishment bother him.

Meanwhile, Treyton had fought with Marcus over the matter of getting engaged to Eloise so hard that he still could

not reason any matter with his father. Moreover, the party celebrating the Newton family reuniting with Jennifer

would only be had later that year.

He decided to wait until the Newton family announced Jennifer’s identity before finding a way to appeal to Marcus

for help in setting the engagement.

All of them seated at the table were preoccupied with their own problems.xo.com fast update

In the ensuing silence, Cedrick turned to Marcus and continued, “I’m thinking of getting registered with Gwenny

after New Year’s Day and bringing the wedding forward. The pregnancy, on the other hand, will be announced after

the wedding.”

“Um… It’s indeed time to think about your wedding, but would it be too rushed to bring your wedding forward to

sometime after New Year’s?”

Cedrick gave Gwendolyn’s hand a squeeze under the table. Though his scorching gaze was fixed on her, he was

addressing Marcus with his words.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Marcus. I will concentrate all of my efforts on the wedding in the meantime, and not just because

of the pregnancy. Instead, as we have rushed into the decision to get married, I will give Gwenny the best wedding I

can.”

Marcus smiled proudly. “In that case, then—”

“I object,” a severe voice interrupted before he could finish.