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

grab his suit

you just because you’re wearing a mask? You might fool everyone, but I can tell

felt his entire body go

Should I come clean?

think that I’ve been deceiving her all

kept in 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 so that it’d be even more difficult for him

weren’t dead? How come you’ve taken on the

her hands were

“Ms. Harris, I—”

you calling

her elbow as she

and he bent down reflexively. Despite that,

wouldn’t retaliate as he feared that he would accidentally hurt Gwendolyn due to the disparity between their

had

with all

mind had no room for reason as she stared daggers at

still couldn’t get over Maverick being

he

like

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

to snatch his

unbecoming of you to be so forward on

of me seeing your face? If you

“I—”

himself as she leveled

his mask while he was

as they looked into

his face in

the rest of his features were completely altered. He

and

He was obviously Maverick.

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

said sternly, “That is because I

plastic surgery? You must be delusional to think I won’t be able to recognize you because of that! Why don’t you

resemblance to Maverick was the only indicator on his face that they were the same

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

taking things

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

“Fine. Go ahead.”

his hands and let her manhandle

she still

one, she loosened his shirt from his belt

broad back was instantly revealed. Its defined musculature was flawlessly smooth, with

the deep knife wound