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.

as she met his

grab his suit collar and press him against the

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

his entire body

Should I come clean?

think that I’ve been deceiving her all

in the first place. Wouldn’t doing so compound the hatred she bore against him, so much so

for me if you weren’t dead? How come you’ve taken on

her hands were trembling. Her eyes

“Ms. Harris, I—”

you calling

hand and curved her elbow as she

down reflexively. Despite that, Gwendolyn tugged his

he would accidentally hurt Gwendolyn due to the disparity between their

had no such

would whack him with all her might

no room for reason

get over Maverick being alive and

he look for

like we’re

the truth, I’ll have to take matters into my

out to snatch

unbecoming of you to be so forward on our

are you so scared of me seeing your face? If you are Cedrick and not Maverick, you should have

“I—”

give him a chance to defend himself as she leveled another blow

swiftly ripped off his mask while he was curled up in

to stop as they looked

surveyed his face in

his features were completely altered. He now only

his gaze and mannerisms gave him

He was obviously Maverick.

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

firm on her hand and said sternly, “That is because I am and have always been

won’t be able to recognize you because of that! Why don’t you

on his

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

things too fast by

back to me! If

“Fine. Go ahead.”

of his hands and

she still

clothes one by one, she loosened his shirt from

back was instantly revealed. Its defined musculature was flawlessly smooth, with tan skin that looked

make out the deep knife wound on Maverick’s waist which he sustained from Asher while looking for her in the