The Ex and Her Riches

His eyes turned scarlet. He clutched Gwendolyn’s wrist, not noticing that he was gripping her so tightly that her skin was turning pale.

Cedrick shoved him away, wrapped Gwendolyn in his arms, and massaged her wrist.

Gwendolyn sighed. Her tone was stern as she said, “You acted rashly tonight, Treyton. I understand how you must be feeling, but I don’t agree with you giving away fifteen percent of the company’s shares to the Newton family.”

Treyton gaped at her in disbelief. “For all your talk about being sisters with Jennifer, you won’t even save her when she’s in trouble. When have you become so unfeeling, Gwendolyn?”

“Me, unfeeling?”

Gwendolyn was incredulous. Her rage began to boil.

As Treyton had had a traumatic night, she did her best to remain patient. “I don’t want to hold a grudge against somebody who can’t think straight. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

Treyton’s gaze grew cold.

Everything that had happened at the party had lost him his wits. “I’ll do it myself if you won’t. My shares, my call.”

He turned to go, but Gwendolyn had enough. Done with coddling him, she dashed forward and slapped him across the face.

Smack!

The crisp slap echoed in the air.

As she had used her full strength, Treyton’s face tilted to the side, and a red imprint of her hand appeared instantly on his cheek. He stared at her, dumbstruck.

Cedrick, too, was stunned. He remained rooted to the spot.

Massaging his stinging cheek, Treyton fumed, “How dare you hit me, Gwendolyn?”

Faced with his accusatory glare, Gwendolyn raised her chin defiantly.

“I’m not hitting you as your little sister but as the head of the Harris family. Now would you calm down? Can you listen to me?”

She looked stern, like the head of the family she was.

did not say a word

continued, “You’re a smart man, Treyton. I’ll give you some time to cool down and reflect on your actions. Before you think things

He gazed at her, somewhat hurt. “Are you placing

could I place you under house arrest? Think of it as grounding. It’s your

could say another word, Gwendolyn turned to address Cedrick. “Could you marshal some men who aren’t on active duty to

nodded decisively. “Very well,

“Remember to arm every single one of them with batons. You have my permission to beat him up if he tries

his laughter. If it came to that, she

the family, and everybody must obey me with no exceptions. If you won’t, we’re going to the ancestral hall and I will have you tried according to our

think I’m

severely that you pass out and spend the next two weeks in bed.

jaw clenched. He refused

her arm around Cedrick’s,

said, “Call me when you’ve calmed

watched as she and Cedrick

car did

minutes later, an orderly march of footsteps sounded. The smart-looking soldiers surrounded the villa as if they had rehearsed it

were not predisposed to negotiations but preferred to strike first instead. Forced back into his villa, Treyton shut the door behind

his house did

most other days, Inez showed up early the following morning at her office

talking things through with Kieran, their relationship had lost some of its stiffness. Though far from being on good terms,

secretary had taken a medical

following two days coaching

HR department arrived with the new secretary and knocked

in,” she said without taking her attention off the documents in her

the two

the manager had an imposing poise and a handsome face. He had a presence that could not

Inez did not so much as

the secretary’s resume on her table. “This candidate is very well qualified, Ms. Mossey. You’ll

response, engrossed in typing. She did not

later than me. When I come in in the morning, I expect a fresh cup of coffee on my desk…” She went on for

man nodded. “Understood,