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

hand shot out without forewarning to grab his

won’t be able to recognize you just because you’re wearing a mask? You might fool everyone, but I can tell it’s you from

entire body

Should I come clean?

think that I’ve been deceiving her all

had never liked him in the first place. Wouldn’t doing so compound the hatred she

come you’ve taken on the identity of Cedrick? Maverick, you

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

“Ms. Harris, I—”

are you calling

as she

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

he feared that he would accidentally hurt Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn had no such

him with all her

room for reason

couldn’t get over Maverick being

he look

act like

refuse to tell the truth, I’ll have to take matters

to snatch his

to it. “Ms. Harris, isn’t it unbecoming of you to be so

seeing your face? If you are Cedrick and not Maverick, you should have

“I—”

chance to defend himself as

while he was curled

seemed to stop as they looked into one another’s

his face

eyes, the rest of his features were completely altered. He now

and mannerisms

He was obviously Maverick.

another mask?”

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

delusional to think I won’t be able to recognize you because of

only indicator on his face that they were

from the lashings on Maverick’s back before the incident and broke free

Harris, aren’t you taking things too fast

back to me! If you aren’t guilty, then let me inspect

“Fine. Go ahead.”

hands and

she still had

his clothes one by one, she loosened his shirt from his belt and lifted it along with his

musculature was flawlessly smooth, with tan skin that looked exceptionally enticing under

any scars. She couldn’t even make out the deep knife wound on Maverick’s waist which he sustained from Asher while looking for