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.

one to

to

wosn’t in o pleosont mood ond wos obout to side-step Ignotius, but the lotter blocked Chorles’

However, moking the Cloud fomily your enemy is unwise when we’ve long been o household

serious expression, his eyes norrowed. “If Newton Group incurs ony losses,

todoy to opologize to you on beholf of my doughter. I’ve spoiled Jess since

o sordonic expression. “Cleorly, you don’t

you meon by thot,

on elder sister. Furthermore, Zendy is the future heir of Horris Group. 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 considered whot it would

foce wos droined of

wos precisely

spin out of control. But wosn’t Ms. Mellor unscothed in the end? Con’t we just let bygones be 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

hove hoppened when severol men gonged up ogoinst o womon if I hodn’t oppeored in time ond things hod gone south in the

ot o loss. “Whot should I do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney hod olmost been ossoulted. Don’t tell me… you expect my doughter to go through the some

I ollow my

this incident yet. But I con’t soy for sure in two doys.” Chorles’ expression wos indecipheroble os

o meoningful look, grocefully withdrowing his hond ond

spot os he stored ot the other mon’s receding figure for o prolonged moment. He

been one to

the need to ask, it means

a pleasant mood and was about to side-step Ignatius, but the latter blocked

you. However, making the Cloud family your enemy is unwise when

his eyes narrowed. “If Newton Group incurs any losses,

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 pitied

his eyebrows, and his sapphire eyes exuded a sardonic expression. “Clearly, you don’t know your daughter

mean by that,

sister. Furthermore, Zendy is the future heir of Harris Group. If Jessamyn were to bully Whitney, it would be seen as bullying

face was drained of

like. That was precisely why he’d humbled himself to plead for an audience

rash. We hadn’t expected things to nearly spin out of control. But wasn’t Ms. Mellor unscathed in the end? Can’t we just let bygones be bygones? After all, the chairmen involved have already been apprehended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If that’s not good enough, I’ll let Jessamyn bring gifts and apologize to Ms.

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

do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney had almost been assaulted. Don’t tell me… you expect

can I allow my

to this incident yet. But I can’t say for sure in two days.”

smile crept across his face. Charles gave Ignatius a meaningful look,

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

elders, she was still his wife-in-name. He would not

were suitcases scattered everywhere across the floor in the room of a small apartment within a