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

forewarning to grab his suit collar

you taking me for an idiot, Maverick? Do you think I won’t be able to recognize you just because you’re wearing a mask? You might fool

his entire

Should I come clean?

I’ve

the dark the most and had never liked him in the first place. Wouldn’t doing so compound the hatred she bore against him, so much

looking for me if you weren’t dead? How come you’ve taken on the identity of Cedrick? Maverick, you owe me a

hands were trembling. Her eyes swirled with shock, confusion, and

“Ms. Harris, I—”

are you calling

elbow as she swiftly landed a

twisted in pain, and he bent down reflexively. Despite that, Gwendolyn

retaliate as he feared that he would accidentally hurt Gwendolyn due to the disparity

had no

whack him with all her might every

for reason

over Maverick

he

like we’re

truth, I’ll

to

“Ms. Harris, isn’t it unbecoming of you to be so forward on our first meeting

you so scared of me seeing your face? If you are

“I—”

didn’t give him a chance to defend himself as

mask while

stop as they looked into one

surveyed his face

features were completely altered. He now

and mannerisms

He was obviously Maverick.

Is it because you’re wearing another mask?” Gwendolyn pinched the skin of his face and attempted to peel off

hand and said sternly, “That is because I am and have

Did you undergo plastic surgery? You must be delusional to think I won’t be able to recognize you because of that! Why don’t you try switching your eyeballs

to Maverick was the only indicator on his face that they

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 by stripping

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

“Fine. Go ahead.”

both of his hands

was suspicious, she still had her

clothes one by one, she loosened his shirt from his belt

revealed. Its defined musculature was flawlessly smooth, with tan skin that looked exceptionally enticing

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