The Ex and Her Riches

“Don’t touch. It’s dirty.”

Gwendolyn locked her eyes with Maverick, and her mind was clear. “The blood is still fresh, which means that something just happened here. Didn’t you see anything when you and Nico rushed over?”

Maverick remained silent and glanced at Nico.

Nico caught the hint and explained, “I was the first one to arrive here. When I came in, I happened to catch someone trying to escape through the window, so I injured him with a small knife. This should be the blood left by that person.”

“And where is that person? How could that person escape from someone with your skills?” Gwendolyn questioned.

Nico was at a loss for words momentarily. He pretended to scratch his head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. It was my bad. He had companions, so I didn’t go after him.”

Fine.

Since the person wasn’t caught, there was not much for Gwendolyn to ask further.

She glanced at Maverick again. Other than his pale face and lips, he seemed fine. Could he really have caught a cold?

“Let’s go back to the villa.” Gwendolyn turned and walked toward the door.

Maverick followed behind her.

The wounds on his lower back would get torn with every step he took, causing him excruciating pain. It was so painful that he felt weak and weightless.

Nico quickly stepped forward and supported him by holding his arm.

Gwendolyn halted her steps and turned around when she heard the commotion. “What’s wrong?”

Maverick breathed in and forced a smile. “Nothing. He slipped.”

Nico was speechless.

How did I become the scapegoat for everything?

He gave Gwendolyn a wry smile. “Yes, I missed a step. But luckily, I reacted quickly and managed to grab Mr. Wright’s arm in time to avoid falling!”

It was a small incident that Gwendolyn didn’t pay much attention to. She swiftly left the abandoned factory.

Maverick had Nico drive away the car they came with, while he sat in Gwendolyn’s car to head back together.

On the way back, clad in a suit, Maverick sat upright with his back not touching the seat of the car.

Gwendolyn noticed his action. Recalling the burns on his back, she did not dwell on it further. “How did it go with Charles today? Did you find out anything?”

Maverick swallowed hard. It took him a couple of seconds before he replied, “Nothing, but don’t worry. Tomorrow, we will make him spill the beans.”

“Okay.”

filled the

Bay Villa

leisurely changing

head up the stairs while

stopped and turned around before saying, “Gwendolyn, are you hungry tonight? I feel a bit tired and want to take a quick nap

she didn’t refuse. “I’m not very

head

silent as her gaze followed his figure until he

notice that on their way back. From the subtle expressions on his face, he seemed to be enduring pain. Has his back

him upstairs, and Maverick’s

opened the door, just enough to see someone peacefully lying under the covers

he was sleeping face down, and he didn’t

of his bed. Gently, she reached out and

her icy-cold hand made contact with his forehead, Maverick’s eyelashes trembled slightly. “I’m not running

only slightly warm,

Perhaps she was overthinking.

then.” Gwendolyn withdrew her hand. Just when she was about to stand up and leave, a strong force suddenly

waist. He even nestled his

taken aback, never expecting him

“Let go!”

did Maverick not loosen his grip, but he also grabbed her tighter around her waist

let me hug you for a little while,” he

to make things clear

arm away. “Let go! Have you forgotten your place here?

much strength left. Just as Gwendolyn was about to forcibly remove his arms from her waist, he pleaded softly, “Please, just let me hold you for a little while. Just this

survive the ambush in the forest of the eastern suburbs three days later and successfully returned to Salinsburgh to resolve the turmoil within the family, his chances of

remember her scent and

continued to pry his hand off. “Let go. I need to go to the study to

“Don’t. Please…”

barely audible and filled

He

had been a sweet talker, more submissive, and pretended to be vulnerable. But she knew that deep down, he had always been

first time he had begged her for

merely stood still

room fell into

as time stood

furrowed tighter and

he took, his entire body throbbed in

apply medicines, the

was as sweet as

lap, and she could

Something doesn’t feel right.

days since you burnt your back. The wound shouldn’t be hurting as much as before, right? Why do you

Maverick remained silent.

out to touch the collar of Maverick’s