The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

After lounging in the hospital for two days, her belief that the rumors were false strengthened.

People were saying Cedrick and Gwendolyn were the model couple of Salinsburgh, looking perfect and sweet from

every camera angle. It seems to me that they’re probably putting up a front. Cedrick doesn’t seem to feel any lust

toward Gwendolyn despite her beauty. Every time he came to the hospital, all he ever did was chat with me.

Meanwhile, the guards got to enjoy meals from a five-star hotel. He was so gentle with me, but beneath his soft

words hinted at a sliver of estrangement as though the couple weren’t as close as they seemed. I’ve been here a

few days but don’t see Cedrick buying me a new phone. He merely assigned more guards to watch over me and

forbade me from going anywhere. I haven’t heard anything from Boss either, so I don’t have any of the latest intel.

The woman sighed as she studied her face in the small mirror on the table. A few minutes later, she began spacing

out with her chin resting on her palms.

A grim expression marred her pretty face when she thought of her superior’s command for her mission.

“What are you thinking?”

A deep yet gentle male voice sounded from the bedside, startling her.

She turned around, saw Cedrick’s handsome face, and instantly steadied herself.

“H-Hubby, why didn’t you make a sound when you came in?”

Cedrick’s intense gaze lingered on her face as if he was seeing someone else through her.

He then averted his gaze when he saw the confusion in her eyes. “You were lost in thought, Gwenny, so you didn’t

notice me entering,” he calmly explained.

The corners of her lips curled into a sweet smile. “I was just thinking about you, and you appeared.”

Cedrick remained seated by the bed, his demeanor still somewhat indifferent as he listened to her speak. “I should

be able to be discharged today, right, Hubby? I haven’t seen Benny and Zendy for a week now. I’m anxious and

want to see them as soon as possible.”

For the past two days, the doctor has been examining me and keeping me here by insisting I have high blood

glucose, optic neuropathy, or low blood pressure. I’m bored out of my brain, staying in the narrow confines of this

room!

Cedrick chuckled softly. “Well, I’m actually here to talk about getting you discharged. I’ve spoken to the doctor, and

he said your condition has stabilized. You can leave the hospital today.”

“Really? That’s great!”

Ecstatic at the news, the woman quickly got out of bed and began to pack her belongings.

However, there wasn’t much for her to pack, considering she was kidnapped in the first place, and Cedrick didn’t

have many items for her after rescuing her.

Cedrick tucked his hand in the pockets of his suit pants and walked out of the room, leaving her to pack up.

Five minutes later, she came out of the room with only a small bag, which contained all the toiletries she had from

the past few days.

The officers standing by the door were observant and kindly assisted her with her bags.

As she looked around the inpatient department hallway, Cedrick was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s my husband?”

the woman asked.

“Mr. Jenson went to the smoking room.”

“Okay, then bring my things downstairs, and get me a strawberry mousse from the five-star hotel next door. I want

to eat it on the way back.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With a haughty demeanor, the woman spoke as if they were her subordinates before whirling around and striding

confidently toward the smoking room, in search of Cedrick.

“Yes, ma’am.”

With a haughty demeanor, the woman spoke as if they were her subordinates before whirling around and striding

confidently toward the smoking room, in search of Cedrick.

The smoking room’s glass door allowed her to see Cedrick smoking by the window when she stood in the doorway.

He had taken off his blazer and was wearing only a white, silky shirt. With his sleeves rolled up, his toned arms and

bulging veins were on display.

As he blew a smoke ring, the screen of smoke obscured the melancholy and coldness in his eyes. The sharp angles

of his jaw added to his regal presence, and his every movement exuded sensuality. His perfect waistline and frame

completed the captivating image he presented.

This man is too tempting.

“Gwendolyn” stood on the other side of the door, admiring him for a while. His charms were irresistible, and she

couldn’t help but succumb to them.

Her conviction strengthened as she arched her brow and smiled wickedly. “It’s a shame not to enjoy such a perfect

man. But once we get home, I’ll do everything I can to take you down.”

The real Gwendolyn can’t come back anymore, so I might as well take her place and become her.

Having collected her thoughts, the woman opened the smoking room’s door and walked over to him. She reached

for the cigarette between his fingers and scolded him coquettishly, “Naughty Hubby! Have you forgotten that

you’re not allowed to smoke? Benny has a weak body and can’t stand the smell of it. How are we going to meet the

children later?”

Cedrick’s gaze was fixated on her face, which looked exactly like Gwendolyn’s. The rims of his eyes reddened, and

his lashes fluttered fervently. He quickly pinched his palm, suppressing the shock and joy welling up within him.

She’s not Gwenny. She’s not her. The real Gwenny wouldn’t chide me in this manner; she would tell me off. Besides,

if she had caught me smoking red-handed, she would’ve given me a harsh punishment. In fact, she might even pull

out the Lego pieces. This woman knows about the smoking, but she doesn’t know about the punishments Gwenny

uses on me, for it’s a well-kept secret between us two.

After a few deep breaths, Cedrick composed himself and regained his impassive composure. He reached for the

blazer slung over the chair and said, “Okay, I’ll stop. Let’s get out of here.”

With that, he stepped out of the smoking room.

“Gwendolyn” hurriedly followed him, wanting to cling to his arm.

“Wait for me, Hubby.”

Yet, Cedrick’s pace didn’t slow. He had no intention of waiting for her. She couldn’t even grasp the hem of his shirt

and could only quicken her steps to keep up with him.

Upon arriving at the hospital basement parking lot, they saw Swain standing by the car, waiting for them. He

greeted them with a bow and a smile as soon as he spotted them.

“Gwendolyn” didn’t care much for subordinates like him, but she suddenly remembered she was in disguise and

couldn’t disregard her manners. Urgently, she forced a polite smile in acknowledgment.

To her surprise, Swain fought her for the passenger seat.

“Apologies, Mrs. Jenson. The boss and I have some business to attend to later. Usually, I take the passenger seat

when he’s driving,” Swain politely explained.

In other words, he was telling her to get in the back seat.

Feeling a tinge of embarrassment, “Gwendolyn” repeatedly glanced at Cedrick, hoping he’d take her side.

Wouldn’t the wife usually take the passenger seat? I was planning to feel up his arms as he drove!

Cedrick noticed her inquisitive look but merely uttered a casual response, “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable

sitting in the passenger seat after the accident. Swain and I have something to discuss, so he’ll ride with me. You’ve

just been discharged, and I want you to forget about the accident entirely.”

Upon hearing his explanation, “Gwendolyn” found no reason to argue further. She didn’t want Cedrick to bring up

the accident at Bluebay Tunnel again, so she could only agree with a smile.

“All right. You’re so considerate, Hubby. You’ve thought about all the details!”

A knowing smile curved Cedrick’s lips. “I have to be on my toes with you around.”

Unaware of the implication behind his words, she got into the back seat of the car.

The car’s engine rumbled loudly as it left the hospital behind.

During the drive, Swain attentively handed a cup of warm coffee to “Gwendolyn” after catching the look Cedrick

gave him.

“Mrs. Jenson, Boss asked me to get you a cup of coffee earlier. Please have some. I also got you the strawberry

mousse you wanted.”

Swain passed a small dessert and a drink to “Gwendolyn” in the back seat.

“Thank you.” Accepting both items, she sipped through the lid’s opening and complimented, “Mm! This is good.

You’re so thoughtful, Hubby.”

Nevertheless, Cedrick remained focused on driving, not sparing her a glance.

Swain, who had secretly investigated her for the past two days, knew the woman was an imposter, so he merely

rolled his eyes at her compliment.

Soon after taking a sip of the drink, she gradually succumbed to drowsiness and eventually awoke in an abyss of

darkness, where her surroundings remained obscured from view.

An eerie atmosphere enveloped the surroundings, accompanied by a metallic tang in the air that resembled the

scent of blood.

Panic-stricken, the woman called out for Cedrick, “Hubby?”

The lights flickered on moments later, casting a dim yellow glow that wasn’t blinding but allowed her to survey the

room.

Within the enclosed room, she couldn’t spot any windows, but her gaze fell upon a disturbing sight—whips, ropes,

iron locks, and other appalling equipment hung across the walls.

Dread washed over her as her gaze darted from one instrument to another. Her breathing stopped, and her pupils

constricted when she caught sight of a figure sitting not far away.

Cedrick sat there, observing her with no warmth in his eyes. His lips pressed into a thin line, and the aura he

emitted felt oppressive, resembling a judgmental devil scrutinizing her sins.

In a strained attempt to appear calm, she shouted, “Hubby, where are we? Why is this place so terrifying? Aren’t

we going back home? Weren’t we on our way to see Benny and Zendy?”