The Ex and Her Riches

After a brief hesitation, Charles merely muted his phone, choosing neither to answer nor reject the call.

Benedict, who had noticed his godfather’s actions, instantly pursed his lips. “Your lady’s calling you, isn’t she? I can’t believe you have the guts to ignore her, Charles. How did a lousy man like you even get yourself a wife?”

Charles felt a warm blush rise to his cheeks, but unfortunately, Benedict wasn’t done with his lecture.

“In any case, don’t you think you should return her call? She will be so worried if she doesn’t hear back from you. As a man, you ought to cherish and dote on your woman. Understood?” the latter chided, looking very authoritative with a stern expression and his arms folded.

It was the first time Charles found Benedict so adorable, and he had to do everything he could to hold in his laughter.

“You’re right, Benny. I’ll send her a text,” he replied good-naturedly before texting Whitney about not returning to the Newton residence that night.

With that done, he turned off the screen and casually set the phone on the bedside table.

Meanwhile, Zendaya had gotten tired from playing by the window and rubbed her eyes.

“I’m sleepy, Uncle Charles. I want to go home,” the little girl mumbled wearily as she turned to look at Charles.

Upon hearing that, the man hastily wrapped a tissue around the cut on his fingertip and walked to the window to carry her.

“Be good, Zendy. We won’t be returning to Harrick Villa tonight. I’ll sleep with you, okay?”

Zendaya pouted and squirmed slightly in Charles’ arms. “Where’s Daddy? Where’s Mommy? I want to hug Mommy to sleep… I can’t fall asleep without her.”

As could be seen, children were easygoing during the day, but when it came to bedtime, their stubbornness would very quickly go off the charts.

No matter how much Charles coaxed and cajoled Zendaya, the latter continued to ask for Gwendolyn.

tonight?” she whimpered, sniffling quietly as tears rolled down her cheeks. “D-Do Daddy and Mommy not want me anymore? Is that why they

Zendaya bawling her

bed before. What am I

other option, Charles begrudgingly called Cedrick, only to realize

over, but even so, there was

on earth is

and turned sullen. “Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does he really not

of them had seen Gwendolyn or Cedrick the entire day, and it was beginning to feel like

Mommy. I want to hear her bedtime stories…” Zendaya said stubbornly

lot to do at the Federal Bureau of Investigation today, so your father can’t come,” Charles coaxed. “It’s pouring outside, and I don’t know where he is. Besides, Salinsburgh

“Hmph! If I run into those bad guys, I’ll bite them! I want to

cocked his eyebrows in cold aloofness. “Who needs your protection? Even if I’m not physically strong, I’d

doe eyes. “Uncle Charles, can you take me to look for Mommy? Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep

sighed and dialed Gwendolyn’s number, but to his

with these two? Did they plan this? Why else is one phone turned off and the other on

gently amid the little girl’s muffled sobs. “How about I read you a bedtime story tonight? What would you like to listen to? I’ve never tucked you into bed before, and I’d love to

Zendaya felt torn and didn’t

if I turned him down, wouldn’t

know what to do! I might be able to coax Zendy to sleep, but what about Benny? I’m sure he’ll kick up a fuss too. I know

at a loss when Nico suddenly returned to the ward with

the brim with the children’s clothes, and it seemed

to err on the side

Nico was around, Charles felt a load off his shoulders as the men could split the task of coaxing the

into an empty ward and read her a fairy tale

that, the princess and the prince

story ended, Zendaya frowned, still

Charles, you read stories like you’re chanting scriptures. I didn’t enjoy