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.

here, but I want Mommy! Why can’t Benny and I go home tonight?” she whimpered, sniffling quietly as tears rolled down her cheeks. “D-Do Daddy and Mommy not want me

Zendaya bawling

I’ve never tucked Zendy into bed

Charles begrudgingly called Cedrick, only to

text over, but even

earth is Cedrick

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

wore a grim expression on his face. Neither of them had seen Gwendolyn or

find Mommy? I want to sleep with Mommy. I want to hear her bedtime stories…” Zendaya said stubbornly as she

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 has been pretty chaotic lately. If you wander about, you might meet the bad guys who devour

to join the army when I grow

cocked his eyebrows in cold aloofness. “Who needs your protection? Even if I’m

him with big, doe eyes. “Uncle

Gwendolyn’s number, but to his surprise, her

up with these two? Did they plan this? Why

Be good,” Charles said 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

a moment, Zendaya felt torn

would be sad if I turned him

to coax Zendy to sleep, but what about Benny? I’m sure he’ll kick up a fuss

a loss when Nico suddenly returned to

to the brim with the children’s clothes, and it seemed as if the latter

to err on the side of caution and brought the kids’

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

empty ward and read her a fairy tale

princess and

soon as the story ended, Zendaya

read stories like you’re chanting scriptures. I didn’t enjoy it. What should we do