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 and entered the living

leisurely

head up the stairs while holding onto the

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

refuse. “I’m not very hungry.

head

gaze followed his figure until he disappeared around the

peculiar feeling. She couldn’t help but notice that on their way back. From the subtle expressions on his face, he seemed to be enduring pain.

followed him upstairs, and Maverick’s door

opened the door, just enough to see someone peacefully lying

down, and he didn’t even remove

of his bed. Gently,

not running

he was only slightly

Perhaps she was overthinking.

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

she could react, she realized that someone had wrapped his arms around her waist. He even nestled his head in her

aback, never expecting him to be so bold

“Let go!”

he also grabbed her tighter around

let me hug you for a little while,” he

night to make things clear with him. Her

out and forcefully tried to pry his arm away. “Let go! Have you forgotten your place here? In this villa, I’m the one calling the shots, and you should listen

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.

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

final moments, he wanted to remember her scent and the tenderness of

pry his hand off. “Let go. I need to go

“Don’t. Please…”

voice was barely audible and

froze. He was actually begging

and pretended to be vulnerable. But she knew that deep down, he had

first time he

didn’t say anything more. She merely stood still and allowed Maverick to hold

room fell into

seemed peaceful as

furrowed tighter

his entire body throbbed in

had yet to apply medicines, the

the sweet scent emanating from Gwendolyn’s body was as sweet as honey, making him

body rested on Gwendolyn’s 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 seem so

Maverick remained silent.

the collar of Maverick’s shirt,