The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Craig stared at her with a profound gaze. “How can that be considered selling? I’m just helping you to select a

better husband.” Jennifer looked at him in disbelief. “Craig, we live in an era that advocates freedom of marriage. If

the price to regain my status as the daughter of the Newton family is the loss of my freedom and right to make my

own decisions, I’d rather stay an orphan my whole life!” Faced with her vehement objection, Craig quickly softened

his tone and pulled her back to his side. “There, there. This is just a discussion, so there’s no need for you to get so

angry. If you insist on disagreeing, I won’t force you.” Jennifer finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued to

accompany him to socialize. Meanwhile, over at Gwendolyn and Cedrick’s end, under their joint efforts, Harris

Group successfully landed a substantial international trade offer as they wished. They would meet the other party

to discuss the contract details the following day. Cedrick shook hands with Horace on Gwendolyn’s behalf. “Ms.

Harris, I look forward to our future cooperation,” Horace uttered politely in his less-than-fluent Chanaean.

Gwendolyn smiled. “It’s a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Horace.” After settling that matter, Horace was swiftly

whisked away by other guests. Cedrick and Gwendolyn shared a knowing smile. He nonchalantly wrapped an arm

around her slender waist. “Gwenny, don’t forget the reward you promised me. You can’t stand me up this time no

matter what.” She pursed her lips and nodded earnestly with a smile. “You did well tonight, helping me secure a

considerable deal, so I should praise you properly.” Looking at her exquisite face, Cedrick felt his heart flutter. An

urge to carry her back to Harrick Villa and ravage her to his heart’s content washed over him. After attempting to

suppress his burning desire for some time, he still failed to contain himself. He leaned close to Gwendolyn’s ear and

whispered, “Darling, how about we slip away early and head back to attend to more pressing matters? We can’t

waste this beautiful night entertaining others.” “That won’t do. We must address matters one by one and cannot

skip the process.” She discreetly pinched his waist without using too much force. Her gesture felt ambiguous, but

her eyes showed signs of warning. “Ceddy, you behave and mingle with the other guests. I’m going to check on

Jennifer.” She patted his sturdy waist teasingly before turning around to leave. Cedrick sighed inwardly while

watching her graceful retreating figure. “Mr. Jenson?” A soft feminine voice suddenly rang out beside him,

disturbing his moment of appreciating Gwendolyn’s gorgeous figure. He turned around and saw a woman. “What’s

the matter?” The woman, Yelena Dion, was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Cedrick’s tone to be so

cold. “You don’t remember me anymore, Mr. Jenson? I’m Yelena, the third child of the Dion family. Before you

joined the military, we even shared a meal.” Cedrick gave her a cursory glance, noting only her pink chiffon dress

and barely registering her looks. “Oh, okay.” His dismissive attitude irked Yelena. “Mr. Jenson, no matter what, we

knew each other when we were young. Can’t you spare a moment to chat with me?” Cedrick gazed down at the

wine glass in his hand and replied icily, “I can’t.” Yelena was rendered speechless. Gwendolyn, who was planning to

look for Jennifer, stopped abruptly in her tracks and turned around to glance in Cedrick’s direction because she

thought she heard a girl calling out Cedrick’s name right after she walked away. Sure enough, she saw an alluring

young lady standing in front of Cedrick. I just left his side, and already, his admirers approached him. A frosty glint

flashed across her eyes, and she decisively retraced her steps, ready to reclaim her position as Mrs. Jenson. Despite

being harshly rejected, Yelena remained rooted to her spot, showing no signs of embarrassment. “You’re so cold,

Mr. Jenson. I heard that after you became a father, you devoted yourself wholeheartedly to your family. Now, it

seems the rumors are indeed true. You’re reserving all your gentleness to only your wife and children.” Cedrick

frowned slightly. He was about to correct her when he caught sight of Gwendolyn’s familiar figure approaching.

When she strode over, she emitted a formidable and intimidating aura. It was difficult for Yelena to disregard

Gwendolyn’s presence. “Ms. Harris, you’ve become prettier. I heard that women who have given birth will have

saggy stomachs, stretch marks, and loose skin. It appears to me those problems don’t bother you.” Gwendolyn

curved her red lips into a sophisticated and elegant smile. “Of course they don’t bother me. After all, I received my

husband’s personal and tenderest care, so I rested extremely well during my confinement period.” She took a step

forward and sized up Yelena. “Ms. Dion, you’re young and not bad looking, but why do you have such poor

judgment? You don’t even understand the rules of the business world.” Yelena was a little stunned and baffled.

“What do you mean by that, Ms. Harris?” Gwendolyn wrapped her arms around Cedrick’s and uttered indifferently,

“He’s a married man. Ms. Dion, you’re still single, right? In that case, you should be hitting on those single young

men. Besides, ‘Ms. Harris’ is how my business partners and subordinates usually address me. Since you merely live

off your family and are attending this banquet as a guest, you can’t call me that. You should address me as ‘Mrs.

Jenson.”‘ Gwendolyn enunciated the last part of her sentence, brazenly asserting her authority. She extended her

dainty neck, giving her a noble and aloof appearance. The domineering look in her eyes seemed to be silently

labeling Cedrick as her personal possession. Cedrick felt utterly pleased as he obediently listened to her dissing the

pretentious young woman before her. Slightly astonished, she replied awkwardly, “I apologize for my ignorance. I

should have addressed you as Mrs. Jenson. There have long been rumors that Mr. Jenson is under the thumb of his

wife. Now that I’m seeing it with my own eyes, the hearsays are indeed true. Nevertheless, you don’t have to think

of me as your enemy. It’s not good to keep a man too tightly leashed.” Upon hearing the phrase “under the thumb

of his wife,” Cedrick felt that if Marcus was still alive, and he hadn’t been officially married to Gwendolyn, he

would’ve put forth his best effort to correct Yelena, defend his status, and claim that Gwendolyn was under his

thumb. However, he had nothing to worry about now and could comfortably admit Yelena’s assertion to be the

case. “Ms. Dion, you mentioned something wrong earlier. I didn’t devote myself to my family after my wife got

pregnant. I’ve long since dedicated all my tenderness and affection to Gwenny. Even our children can’t change her

position in my heart.” He held Gwendolyn’s hand tightly, interlocking his fingers with hers, as a gentle look filled his

eyes. Yelena’s face turned slightly pale. “You two are still so loving, Mr. and Mrs. Jenson. This is truly enviable.”

Cedrick didn’t spare Yelena a glance. Focusing his pensive dark gaze on Gwendolyn, he uttered with a deep voice,

“Darling, I’m tired of socializing. I’d like to apply to leave early and go home.” Gwendolyn met his gaze and gave an

unprecedented response. “Approved.” Receiving the affirmative reply, Cedrick was overjoyed. He lifted her in his

arms and slipped away from the hall through the side door where there were fewer people. Gwendolyn wasn’t too

pleased after getting into the car. Sensing something was off with her mood, he said innocently, “Darling, tonight’s

incident has nothing to do with me. I don’t know that Ms. Dion, so you can’t take your anger out on me.” She turned

to stare at him, reaching out her fair fingers to pinch his cheek. “You should wear your silver mask when we go out

next time. Only with your captivating countenance concealed can I rest assured.”xo.com fast update He was

delighted to see her jealous reaction. “All right, but since you’re so pretty, should you wear a mask too, to prevent

other handsome men from hitting on you?” Gwendolyn refused, “I won’t wear it. The mask is so ugly. Putting it on

makes me look more hideous.” Cedrick fell silent. Why do I feel like she’s hinting something at me? Twenty minutes

later, the luxury car arrived at the Jenson residence garage. Cedrick got out of the car first and then carried

Gwendolyn out without letting her feet touch the ground. She wrapped her arms around his waist and courteously

offered, “Why don’t I walk myself? This gown is quite heavy. It’s taxing for you to carry me, right?” “That’s all right.

It’s a good way for me to burn off some stamina. Otherwise, your slender waist will be destroyed tonight.” After he

finished his sentence, Gwendolyn didn’t laugh. Instead, she looked at him with a serious expression. Taking in her

solemn look, Cedrick immediately sensed something was amiss. Oh no! That was a trick question, and I seemed to

have answered wrongly!

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