The Ex and Her Riches

Cedrick held his breath while sneaking a glance at Gwendolyn.

She sat on the couch by the window with her back facing him, sipping red wine.

He clenched his fists so tightly that they felt clammy. Could she be drunk by any chance?

Would she be as gentle to me as two nights ago?

“I admit I don’t know you well, yet you still plotted to get engaged with me. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

Cedrick’s hand was on the doorknob when he felt his heart drop.

Gwendolyn’s speech was coherent and paced regularly. It was clear she’d barely imbibed any wine and was still sober.

That meant that he would be dead meat tonight.

Cedrick still wasn’t ready to face her.

He stalked toward the window and considered making a run for it.

Gwendolyn’s languid voice sounded. “Old Mr. Jenson has instructed the windows to be locked. It is also fitted with bulletproof glass and can’t be shattered. We’re just going to have a nice little chat. I wonder what you’re so afraid of?”

He had no chance of escape.

Cedrick subconsciously touched his face to confirm that his mask was still on. Gwendolyn couldn’t possibly recognize him that easily.

He cleared his throat. “You must be joking, Ms. Gwendolyn. We aren’t acquainted at all. I decided to get engaged with you merely because the fortune teller mentioned that we’d get along well together.”

Gwendolyn placed her wine glass down and turned to face him. “I’ve told you before that there’s someone I—”

She was cut off abruptly.

The man who stood by the window in a well-fitting suit gave off an aloof aristocratic air.

The sheer sight of him flooded her with a bone-deep sense of familiarity.

Her expression froze as she carefully scrutinized the man from head to toe.

Cedrick’s heart was in his throat when he noticed the change in her expression.

“Mr. Jenson, you really look like someone.”

Gwendolyn got to her feet with her brows furrowed and gingerly approached Cedrick.

“Ms. Harris, you must be mistaken. We’ve never met,” His eyes were glacial as he uttered in a hoarse voice.

reddened as she met his familiar

hand shot out without forewarning to grab his suit

able to recognize you just because you’re wearing a mask? You might fool everyone,

his entire

Should I come clean?

that I’ve been deceiving

dark the most and had never liked him in the first place. Wouldn’t doing so

come looking for me if you weren’t dead? How come you’ve taken on the identity of

collar so tightly that her hands were trembling. Her eyes swirled with shock, confusion, and

“Ms. Harris, I—”

you

and curved her elbow as

he bent down reflexively. Despite that, Gwendolyn tugged his collar and backed him up against

would accidentally hurt Gwendolyn due to

had no

whack him with all her

no room for reason

still couldn’t get over Maverick being

didn’t he look for

act like we’re

the truth, I’ll have to take matters

reached out to snatch his

held on tightly to it. “Ms. Harris, isn’t it unbecoming

with me touching my fiancé? Why are you so scared of me seeing your face? If you are Cedrick and not Maverick, you

“I—”

didn’t give him a chance to defend himself as she leveled

while

seemed to stop as they looked into one

his face in

were completely altered. He now

his gaze and mannerisms

He was obviously Maverick.

your face look so different? Is it because you’re wearing another mask?” Gwendolyn pinched the skin of

said sternly,

believe you! Did you undergo plastic surgery? You must be delusional to think I won’t be able to recognize you

was the only indicator on his face that they

the severe burns and wounds from the lashings on Maverick’s back before the incident and broke free from Cedrick’s grasp to lift

you taking things too fast

turn your back to me! If you aren’t guilty, then

“Fine. Go ahead.”

his hands and let her

she still

his shirt

revealed. Its defined musculature was flawlessly smooth, with tan

make out the deep knife wound