The Ex and Her Riches

Clocking Craig’s detached expression, Karl sighed. Without saying anything further, he obediently left to do as ordered.

During lunch at noon, the atmosphere at the dining table in the Newton residence was exceedingly somber.

Sensing that Craig was in a bad mood and seemed to be preoccupied with his thoughts, neither Jasmine nor Lucas dared make a peep. They both kept their heads lowered and stuffed food into their mouths.

Only the sounds of cutlery against crockery remained in the huge dining room.

Craig’s expression was as black as thunder. Unbidden, the other person imprisoned on the top floor of the house flashed across his mind.

Jennifer has already learned of the Newton family’s secret, so allowing her to stay by Cedrick’s side poses a tremendous risk at the end of the day. Argh! How I wish I could kill her right away!

A clang rang out as he slammed his fork onto the table with a grim look on his face.

The sudden sound had both Jasmine and Lucas jump in fright. They did not even dare chew the food in their mouths.

Lucas was inherently cowardly and had no mind of his own. When he saw that Craig was no longer eating, he put down his fork resolutely and swallowed the last bite of food in his mouth before sitting there quietly.

Likewise, Jasmine was too scared to continue eating. Following suit, she placed her fork down and turned to Craig.

“What’s the matter with you, Craig?” Her voice turned tentative, and she ventured, “Is this because… Jennifer had been taken away?”

Craig lifted his eyes and stared at her intently. All of a sudden, an idea occurred to him.

“Since Gwendolyn claimed that her crystal earrings went missing, go and return them to her. If you like them, I’ll gift you a similar set in the future.”

Not daring to demur, Jasmine could only relent in displeasure, “Got it.”

Subsequently, Craig continued, “She used you to take Jennifer away, so she probably harbors some guilt toward you. Visit the Jenson residence often these few days.”

At that, Jasmine was wholly bewildered.

“Huh? But didn’t you just instruct me to stay away from her last night?“,

“That was then. Jennifer is there now, and we can’t ascertain her safety. Use this excuse to go over often and look in on her. Can you do it?”

Words eluded Jasmine.

were to learn that I willingly helped to facilitate the matter of Jennifer being taken away, would he skin me alive in his

low. In truth, she did not want Jennifer to return at

best friends, so Gwendolyn never hurt her, Craig. Besides, didn’t you say that Jennifer is gravely ill? Isn’t it perfect

Crash!

resounding noise split the

the porcelain bowl before him to

and Jasmine trembled

lower lip in aggrieve. Curling into herself,

expression eased slightly. “While you hold no affection for Jennifer, she’s still your biological sister. As her sister,

I’ll go and visit her in the afternoon after I finish eating

careful. I’ll arrange for two well–trained bodyguards to escort

was startled for a bit, but she did not

time, Craig’s

then brought a new set of tableware over and placed everything neatly

the fork, the look on his face back to

lowered as they did so. Some time passed before Craig asked,

when Craig blithely continued, “If you aren’t busy, I’ll have my subordinates find a vacant position at the Federal

“Craig, I…”

the military posture. How could I possibly be able to bear the torture of going on missions

whether his brother was deliberately taking his

“Try to handle things at the office remotely as much as possible henceforth. Make frequent trips to the Federal Bureau of

his face,

“Yeah.”

The cane meant for Jasmine last night ended up unused, so why don’t you go to the ancestral hall and take fifty strikes so that the family rules can play their role, and you can also donate

face drained of all color. Expending much difficulty, he flashed his brother a smile. “Never mind, then.

some food, his voice amicable. “There’s no need to force yourself. You can consider it further. I’m not

Investigation. I’ll never disappoint you and

determined look in his eyes, and he sounded beyond

lips,

hand that held the fork trembled uncontrollably. Despite the tableful of food, he had no appetite at the thought

few bites in front of Craig. His hands were shaking