The Ex and Her Riches

Channing said to Gwendolyn, “Fine. I’ll listen to you, Mrs. Jenson.”

Gwendolyn nodded in satisfaction. She smirked and drawled, “A wise choice, Mr. Kron.”

The man shrugged and left, dejection written all over his face. Dealing with this couple is proving to be more difficult than imagined. I’m taking on a huge risk to work with Cedrick from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Still, no pain, no gain.

Channing collected himself and left the basement.

Meanwhile, a frowning Jasper looked as though he was about to dole out more advice, only to be silenced by Gwendolyn’s displeased gaze.

His gaze swept across the dim, dusty basement, and he sighed before leaving.

Outside the villa, several black cars were concealed in a dense forest some distance away.

Jasper secretly called Cedrick, who was camped out in one of the vehicles. “Mr. Jenson, the person who came earlier is Quintrell Olsen. He’s Mr. Wendell’s bodyguard, and he came to confirm with his own eyes that Channing had kidnapped Mrs. Jenson. And another thing…”

He trailed off before adding, “To convince Mr. Wendell, Channing tied Mrs. Jenson up and locked her in the basement.”

As a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Team Nine, years of training had conditioned him to be truthful with his superiors at all times. Habit spurred him to tell Cedrick the truth about Gwendolyn’s situation.

Everyone in the car froze and waited for Cedrick’s response with bated breath.

Cedrick’s expression darkened. He clenched his fists so tightly that his veins bulged, and his eyes reddened with fury. He was barely reining in his temper.

The man’s prolonged silence told Jasper volumes about his rage. Hastily, Jasper explained, “Mr. Jenson, that was Mrs. Jenson’s request. She wanted to make things more believable to dispel Mr. Wendell’s suspicion, so she asked to be held in the basement.”

The explanation only worsened Cedrick’s mood.

He kept imagining Gwendolyn’s chafed wrists from being tied up and how lonely she would feel in the dark and dirty basement.

Channing! You id*ot!

The car remained in pin-drop silence. Everyone dared not make a peep as Cedrick’s sharp gaze landed on the villa which held Gwendolyn.

Eventually, his breathing appeared to calm.

He knew Gwendolyn’s obstinate character all too well.

Now that she had committed to the plan, she naturally had to take certain risks to ensure their success. Cedrick was worried about her well-being but could not pull the brakes on their plan now. All he could do was to cooperate.

Jenson?” prompted

even taking special care to breathe

sighed almost inaudibly and said, “Ensure her safety, and inform me promptly

“Understood.”

call. Cedrick’s intense gaze gradually transformed into a determined one as he instructed his men

behind his orders was

order to further solidify the act, he needed to demonstrate to Hamish that he was not only aware of Gwendolyn’s abduction but also deeply troubled

passed in the blink

utilized. He had dispatched sufficient personnel

third day of Gwendolyn’s captivity, streaks of sunlight peeped through the cover

wooden chair in the hall of the villa’s second floor. He smoked leisurely

to work with Cedrick had given him a sense of security,

“Mr. Kron!”

sudden cry surprised Channing into

over. With a fierce glare, Channing roared, “Can’t you

his head and reported, “Mr. Wendell sent some men here, Mr.

of rising from his seat and frowned. “He didn’t show up? Again? It’ll be tough to get the man here if he’s

He smirked and scoffed.

playing up his mysterious persona. He still refuses to show up at this juncture. Don’t tell me it’s because he’s a

men stood in the

said, “Mr. Wendell sent us to negotiate with you, Mr.

sneeringly, “Negotiate? Please! I gave him proof of that woman’s kidnapping, but he refuses to show up. He clearly has no intention to cooperate

added provocatively, “You should know that the person in my basement now is

over such small matters, Mr.

table and slowly leaned toward Channing, caging the latter in. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation has this villa surrounded for the past three days. Even a bird couldn’t fly out of this place unscathed, Mr. Kron. It

smirked arrogantly for

concealed his sharp, calculating

villa was completely under Cedrick’s

seem to know my

brow, Quintrell retorted, “Everyone knows about your dilemma. No one will dare to set foot here. Only Mr. Wendell is helping you. Aren’t you interested in his

“Let’s hear it.”

coffee. He slowly took a sip before saying, “You kidnapped Cedrick’s woman for a small ransom, but alas, he doesn’t seem bothered even though so much time

continued, “Gwendolyn’s not an easy opponent. Cedrick isn’t worried about her safety at all. So, to seize his Achilles heel, you need his son. Once you have the boy under your grip, wouldn’t you naturally have Cedrick wrapped around your finger, Mr.

sounded incredibly pleased with his

while fiddling with the ceramic coffee