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.

he did not say

you some time to cool down and reflect

somewhat hurt. “Are you placing me under house

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

who aren’t on active duty to

decisively. “Very well,

of them with batons. You have my permission to beat him up if he tries to

Cedrick suppressed his laughter. If it came to that,

giving her instructions, Gwendolyn gazed once more at Treyton. “I am now 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

“You think I’m scared of

If you piss me off, I will have you beaten up so severely that you pass out and spend the next two weeks in bed. By then, you would only be able

He refused to

her arm around Cedrick’s, Gwendolyn

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

Treyton watched as

the car did not

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

negotiations but preferred to strike first instead. Forced back into his

did Gwendolyn and Cedrick disappear

Inez showed up early the following

their relationship had lost some of its stiffness. Though far from being on good terms, they would exchange a

health reasons, her secretary

spend the following two days coaching her new

the HR department

said without taking her attention off the documents in

the two

man behind the manager had an imposing poise and a handsome face. He

Inez did not so

her table. “This candidate is very well qualified, Ms. Mossey.

in response, engrossed in typing. She

special circumstances. You cannot arrive at the office later than me. When I come in in the morning, I expect a fresh cup of coffee on my desk…” She went on for over a minute without even looking up. “Got it?” she

man nodded. “Understood, Ms.