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.

prompted

taking special care to

long moment passed before Cedrick sighed almost inaudibly and said, “Ensure her

“Understood.”

he instructed his men in the vehicle, “Dispatch three teams to camp near

behind his orders

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 by

in the blink of

was the increase in manpower that was utilized. He

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

the hall of the villa’s second floor. He smoked

of security, though he still felt uneasy about Gwendolyn’s insistence on living

“Mr. Kron!”

sudden cry surprised Channing into

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

head and reported, “Mr. Wendell

middle of rising from his seat and frowned. “He didn’t show up? Again? It’ll be tough to get

He smirked and scoffed.

still refuses to show up at this juncture. Don’t tell me it’s because

expressionless, suit-clad men stood in the villa’s

one of them said, “Mr. Wendell sent us to

sank into the couch and replied sneeringly, “Negotiate? Please! I gave him proof of that woman’s kidnapping, but he refuses to show

the person in my

Hamish’s representatives, sat opposite Channing uninvited and declared, “Let’s not grumble over such small matters, Mr.

placed his hands on the coffee 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 can’t feel great to be a

arrogantly for good

concealed his sharp, calculating

did he know that the villa was completely under Cedrick’s

calmly, “You seem to know

about your dilemma. No one will dare to set foot here. Only Mr. Wendell is helping you. Aren’t you interested

“Let’s hear it.”

bodyguard to pour him some coffee. He slowly took a sip before saying, “You kidnapped Cedrick’s woman for a small ransom, but alas, he doesn’t seem

expression, he continued, “Gwendolyn’s not an easy opponent. Cedrick isn’t worried about her safety at all. So, to seize his Achilles heel, you need

sounded incredibly pleased with his

the man while fiddling with the ceramic coffee cup in his