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.

he asking me to be a double agent? If he were to learn that I willingly helped

In truth, she did

her, Craig. Besides, didn’t you say that Jennifer is gravely ill? Isn’t it perfect that Gwendolyn took her away for treatment? We can

Crash!

noise split the

towering rage, Craig smashed the porcelain bowl before him

and Jasmine trembled in

tears, and she bit her lower lip in aggrieve. Curling into herself, she

then that Craig’s expression eased slightly. “While you hold no affection for Jennifer, she’s still your biological sister. As her sister, shouldn’t you go and visit her now that she’s not only gravely ill but also contracted some

go and visit her in the afternoon after I finish

two well–trained bodyguards to

startled for a bit, but she did not think much

time, Craig’s expression softened

new set of tableware over and placed everything neatly before

back to its usual casualness.

Jasmine dare to resume eating, keeping their heads lowered as they did so. Some time passed before

about to answer in the affirmative when Craig blithely continued, “If you

“Craig, I…”

an hour in the military posture. How could I

wondering whether his brother was deliberately taking his anger out

Craig did not even spare him a single look. Instead, he added in a deep voice, “Try to handle things at the office remotely as much as possible henceforth. Make frequent trips to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and gain a

all over his face, Lucas weakly queried, “Can

“Yeah.”

was just about to turn Craig down firmly when the latter continued, “But if I’ll think that you’re purposefully being lazy and unambitious. The cane meant for Jasmine last

a smile. “Never mind,

no need to force yourself.

I fervently hope to hone myself at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I’ll never disappoint you and shall do my best to perform well to gain a foothold

in his eyes, and

was finally satisfied. A smile curved his lips, and his gaze turned gentle once more.

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

His hands were shaking overly much, and the fear within him lingered. Even after trying for an eternity, he still could not take the