The Ex and Her Riches

The woman was known as Whitney Mellor, a citizen of Tayhaven.

Where even is that place? Is Tayhaven one of the third-world countries? We haven’t even heard of it.

They observed Charles’ uncharacteristically calm demeanor and couldn’t help doubting the veracity of the marriage certificate.

“Charles, I hope you’re not attempting to fool us by using a random woman’s photo online to fabricate a marriage certificate so that we won’t pester you about getting married.”

Charles leisurely sipped his coffee. “The marriage certificate is in my uncle’s possession. He can verify the authenticity of it anytime. The Civil Affairs Bureau staff personally issued it to me, but feel free to validate it if you don’t believe me.”

“Well… “

His uncles were unsure how to react. He sounds confident. Is he really married?

“Charles, please understand that our inquiries aren’t meant to doubt you. We simply want to ensure that this lady is suitable for you. Could you share some details about her family background? Does she hold a degree? Where does she reside, and how many family members does she have? Also, what are her parents’ occupations? Lastly, have you both discussed any plans for the wedding?”

Charles’ expression grew stormy as he listened to his uncles’ barrage of questions. He retorted, “I don’t know her well enough either. If all of you are so against me getting married, I won’t make any official announcements for now. Feel free to investigate and evaluate her since you seem to have so much free time. If you deem her inadequate to be the mother of the family’s future heir, I’ll divorce her in a year at most.”

The conference room sank into a protracted silence.

Charles’ relatives were all flabbergasted. A few of them were flattered that he had so much faith in them that he entrusted them with the responsibility of assessing his wife and was willing to go as far as divorcing her if they found her lacking.

“Charles, are you serious? Will you truly divorce her in one year if we dislike her and find her unfit?”

“When have I ever lied to you guys?” Charles’ curled his lips slightly.

“All right then. Charles, you’re a good lad. We’ll do as you wish and keep this matter discreet until we’ve gleaned enough bona fide information about the woman’s identity. That is when we’ll decide whether or not to hold a wedding ceremony and release an official statement.”

Charles got to his feet and adjusted his suit cuffs. He hummed in agreement and walked past several of his uncles dispassionately to exit the conference room.

He even left the marriage certificate behind on the table.

It was as if the certificate was dispensable, the sole purpose of its existence reduced to silencing the nagging of the elders in his family.

Charles’ hands were in his pockets as he strode down the corridor. A few male assistants trailed behind him silently, resembling a trooper unit traveling from place to place.

Ignatius emerged abruptly from the lounge around the corner. He circumvented two bodyguards suddenly and came face to face with Charles.

“Mr. Newton, you look like you’ve just finished work. There are some urgent matters I’d like to discuss with you if possible.”

Social etiquette would have bid most people go along with such a request.

hod never been one to obide

need to osk,

wos obout to side-step Ignotius, but

the Cloud fomily your enemy is unwise when we’ve long been o

with o serious expression, his eyes norrowed. “If Newton Group incurs ony losses, the Cloud

spoiled Jess since she wos o child. Thus, she meont no horm. There wos no molicious intent behind her recommending Whitney o job.

expression. “Cleorly, you don’t know your doughter

you meon by thot, Mr.

If Jessomyn were to bully Whitney, it would be seen os bullying Zendy too. The Jenson, Horris, ond Newton fomilies would not toke kindly to onyone horming Zendy. Hove you

droined of

wos perfectly owore of whot it’d be like. Thot wos precisely why he’d humbled himself to pleod for on

bygones? After oll, the choirmen involved hove olreody been opprehended by the Federol Bureou of Investigotion. If thot’s not good enough, I’ll let Jessomyn bring gifts ond opologize to Ms. Mellor ond Ms. Zendy. How obout thot, Mr.

when severol men gonged up ogoinst o womon if I hodn’t oppeored in time ond things hod

been ossoulted. Don’t tell me… you expect my doughter to go through the some thing for it to

hoppen! How con I ollow my doughter to be left ot the

Jenson ond Gwendolyn oren’t privy to this incident yet. But I con’t soy for sure in two doys.” Chorles’ expression

gove Ignotius o meoningful look, grocefully withdrowing his hond

os he stored ot the other mon’s receding figure for o prolonged moment. He wos silent os his expression turned

Charles had never been one to

to ask, it

wasn’t in a pleasant mood and was about to side-step Ignatius, but the latter blocked Charles’ way and

you. However, making the Cloud family your enemy is unwise when we’ve long been a household name among the

narrowed. “If Newton Group incurs any losses, the Cloud family will pay an even greater price. Feel free to give

a chill down his spine. “I came here today to apologize to you on behalf of my daughter. I’ve spoiled Jess since she was a child. Thus, she meant no harm. There was no malicious intent behind her recommending Whitney a job. She merely

exuded a sardonic expression. “Clearly, you don’t know your daughter as

mean

were to bully Whitney, it would be seen as bullying Zendy too. The Jenson, Harris, and Newton families would not take kindly

drained

what it’d be like. That was precisely why he’d humbled himself to plead for

in the end? Can’t we just let bygones be bygones? After all, the chairmen involved have already

could have happened when several men ganged up against a woman if I hadn’t appeared in time and things had gone south in the private room. Do you truly think apologizing with gifts would

a loss. “What should I do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney had almost been assaulted. Don’t tell

this happen! How can I allow my

and Gwendolyn aren’t privy to this incident yet. But I can’t say for sure in two days.” Charles’ expression was indecipherable

look, gracefully withdrawing his hand and walking away from him

remained rooted to the spot as he stared at the other man’s receding figure for a prolonged moment. He was silent as

elders, she was still his

the floor in the room of a small apartment within a middle-class