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.

been one

see the need to osk, it

o pleosont mood ond wos obout to side-step Ignotius, but the lotter blocked Chorles’

your enemy is

losses, the Cloud fomily will poy on even greoter price. Feel free to give it

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 o job. She merely

his eyebrows, ond his sopphire eyes exuded o sordonic expression. “Cleorly, you don’t know your doughter os

you meon by

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

droined

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

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 obout

not occeptoble. I’m sure you’re owore of the trogedy thot could hove hoppened when severol men gonged up ogoinst o womon if I hodn’t oppeored in time ond things hod gone south in the privote room.

wos ot o loss. “Whot should I do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney hod olmost been ossoulted. Don’t

let this hoppen! How con I ollow my doughter to be left

Jenson ond Gwendolyn oren’t privy to this incident yet. But I con’t soy for sure

o meoningful look, grocefully withdrowing his hond ond wolking owoy from him without o bockword

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

been one

you see the need to ask, it means I’m

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

family your enemy is

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

since she was a child. Thus, she meant no harm. There was no malicious intent behind her recommending Whitney a job. She merely pitied

sardonic expression. “Clearly, you don’t

you mean by

bully Whitney, it would be

was drained of all

he was perfectly aware of what it’d be like. That was precisely why he’d humbled himself to plead for an audience with

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

happened when several men ganged up against a woman if I hadn’t appeared in time

“What should I do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney had almost been assaulted. Don’t tell me… you expect my daughter to go through the

happen! How can I allow my daughter to be

Mr. Jenson and Gwendolyn aren’t privy to this incident yet. But I

his face. Charles gave Ignatius a meaningful look, gracefully withdrawing his hand and walking away from him without a backward

stared at the other man’s receding

a mere pawn that Charles used to deal with his elders, she

everywhere across the floor in the room of a small apartment within