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

some time to cool down and reflect on your actions. Before you think things through, you’re not allowed to get

somewhat hurt. “Are you

Think of it as grounding. It’s your punishment for speaking so rudely to

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

nodded decisively. “Very well,

single one of them with batons. You have my permission to beat

that, she would still be the

the head of 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 family law. Feel free to test me, but don’t

think I’m

you piss me off, I will have you beaten up so severely that you pass out and spend the next two

refused

around Cedrick’s, Gwendolyn

departing, she turned around and said, “Call me when you’ve

stood, Treyton watched as she and

car did not

march of footsteps sounded. The smart-looking soldiers surrounded the villa as if they had rehearsed it and left no corner

to negotiations but preferred to strike first instead. Forced back into his villa, Treyton shut the

inside his house did Gwendolyn and Cedrick disappear

showed up early the following morning at her office at Mossey Corporation,

lost some of its stiffness. Though far from being

secretary had taken a medical

the following two

hour later, the manager of the HR department arrived with the new secretary and knocked on Inez’s

her attention off the documents

permission, the two figures

had an imposing poise and a handsome face. He

not so

her table. “This candidate is very well qualified, Ms. Mossey. You’ll like

grunted in response, engrossed in typing. She

be made one week in advance with the exception of special circumstances. You cannot arrive at the office later than me. When I come in in the morning, I expect a

nodded. “Understood,