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.

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

Zendaya bawling her eyes out tugged

dear… I’ve never tucked Zendy into bed before.

option, Charles begrudgingly called Cedrick, only to

a text over, but

What on earth is Cedrick

Zendaya eavesdropped on the phone call and turned sullen. “Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does he

on his face. Neither of them had seen Gwendolyn or Cedrick the entire day, and it was beginning

to hear her bedtime stories…” Zendaya said stubbornly as she wiped away her tears

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 has been pretty chaotic

into those bad guys, I’ll bite them! I want to join the army when I grow up. I want the strength and skills to

sister had said, Benedict cocked his eyebrows in cold aloofness. “Who

with big, doe eyes. “Uncle Charles, can you take me to look for Mommy? Otherwise,

number, but to his surprise, her

Did they plan this? Why else is one phone turned

would you like to listen to? I’ve never tucked you into bed before, and

moment, Zendaya felt torn and didn’t

be sad if I turned him down,

anxious. Oh, my goodness. I don’t know what to do! I might be able to coax Zendy to sleep, but what about Benny? I’m sure he’ll kick

Nico suddenly returned to the ward with two large

and it seemed as if the latter had emptied their entire closets

alert would last, so he decided to err

shoulders as the men could split the task

took Zendaya into an empty ward and

that, the princess and the prince lived

the story ended, Zendaya frowned, still alert

chanting scriptures. I