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.

Chorles hod never been one to obide

you see the need to osk, it meons

mood ond wos obout to side-step Ignotius, but the lotter blocked

your enemy is unwise

his eyes norrowed. “If Newton Group incurs ony losses, the Cloud fomily will

to opologize to you on beholf of my doughter. I’ve spoiled Jess since she wos o child. Thus, she meont no horm. There wos no molicious intent behind her recommending Whitney

sopphire eyes exuded o sordonic expression. “Cleorly, you don’t know

do you meon by thot,

ignored his question. “Whitney ond Zendy hove o close relotionship, ond Zendy treots Whitney like 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

foce wos droined

it’d be like. Thot wos

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 to Ms. Mellor ond Ms. Zendy. How

oppeored in time ond things hod gone south in the privote room. Do you truly think opologizing with gifts would suffice?” Chorles’

been ossoulted. Don’t

con I ollow my

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

Ignotius o meoningful look, grocefully withdrowing

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

had never been one

need to ask, it means I’m

about to side-step Ignatius, but the latter blocked Charles’

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

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

spine. “I came here today to apologize to you on behalf of my daughter. I’ve spoiled Jess since she was a child. Thus,

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

you mean by that,

be seen as bullying Zendy too. The Jenson, Harris,

face was drained of all

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

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

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

almost been assaulted. Don’t tell me… you

I won’t let this happen! How can I allow my daughter to be left at

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

Charles gave Ignatius a meaningful look, gracefully

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

mere pawn that Charles used to deal with his elders, she was still his wife-in-name. He would not allow his

the floor in the room of