The Ex and Her Riches

The night drepened.

The lights in Treyton’s villa remained on.

Treyton, refreshed after a bath and wrapped in a robe, leisurely ascended the stairs, intending to visit a certain someone who was engrossed in her studies in the room.

He gently nudged open the door, peeking inside at the sight of the person behind the desk.

Jennifer was sprawled out on the desk, snoozing away.

A wry expression spread across his face as he walked in. He made no attempt to silence his footsteps.

Yet, the deep in slumber Jennifer, lacking any sense of alertness, remained utterly unconscious of his presence.

“Ahem.”

Treyton deliberately coughed aloud to rouse the sleeping Jennifer from her dreams.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked up at Treyton. “Why are you here? I haven’t finished studying yet. There are- She flipped through her postgraduate study materials and continued, “just about ten sections left. I promise to go to bed after I’m done.”

Treyton knew she was merely giving him a perfunctory response. In a deep and brooding voice, he said, “Jennifer, are you that afraid of sharing a bed with me? I’ve told you that I wouldn’t attempt anything without your consent. All I want is to hold you while we sleep. Can’t you trust me?”

Jennifer remained silent.

The director of her former orphanage used to caution them about men, warning that their words were often deceptive.

What does he mean by he wouldn’t attempt anything when we share a bedt Who knows what will happen if he suddenly loses control over his urgest

Treyton felt a pang of hurt. “Jennifer, we’re engaged. Can’t you accept me yet?”

Jennifer let out an awkward chuckle. “That’s not it, Mr. Treyton. Go and get some rest. I really am studying. Once I’m done. I’ll go back to our room.”

know what else to

study materials from her desk, flipping

said the same thing last night, and when I came in, you were sleeping soundly. Are you

“Um…”

Treyton continued. “You mentioned a while ago that you felt unsuited to the acting industry. I helped you step back from that. Then you wanted to pursue postgraduate studies, a path you’ve never dared to tread before. You hoped to eventually become a junior professor at a certain university. I supported you in that, too, gathering the most

studying, but my foundation is poor. I may not pass the exam this year, but I do have plans to try again next year if that’s the

had lost four years of her memories, was naïve and innocent. However,

her keep up this façade

there’s no ‘try again next year in my book. If postgraduate studies are your goal, you must pass this year. From now on, I’ll tutor you after work and quiz you on your memorization. If

in her eyes. “What

her question, Treyton

one night until her legs were so weak the next day that she couldn’t

thoughts vocal, Jennifer, with her current mental age, would only take Treyton as a twisted

Treyton decided to change his

what you’ve been studying all night.

paled, biting her soft pink lips in nervousness. “Could I review it one more time! After taking a nap, my mind is all foggy and blank. If you quiz me now, I probably won’t be able to answer a single question.

expression, Treyton relented. “Considering it’s your first time, I’ll let you review once more. But in half an hour, I’ll

sake, Mr. Treyton. I’ll study hard

right into her

Villa was shrouded in

had slept late

faint rustling noises from the side.

he could make out a small figure lying

covers with suspicion. The bedside lamp was off, and he got up to switch on the light.

in light, revealing the disturbing sight on

bloodshot, her expression fierce like a

was in the throes of another

pulled back the covers, he noticed that Gwendolyn’s hands and feet were bound with heavy