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.

isn’t 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 anymore? Is that why they aren’t letting me

say, the sight of Zendaya bawling

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

no other option, Charles begrudgingly called Cedrick,

a text over, but

on earth is

eavesdropped on the phone call and turned sullen. “Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does he really not want

had seen Gwendolyn or Cedrick the entire day, and it was

want to hear her bedtime

so your father can’t come,” Charles coaxed. “It’s pouring outside, and I don’t know where he is. Besides, Salinsburgh has

those bad guys, I’ll bite them! I want to

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

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

but to

up with these two? Did they plan this? Why else is

story tonight? What would you like to listen to? I’ve never tucked you into bed before, and I’d love to try it. Will you

felt torn and didn’t know what

would be sad if I turned

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 Zendy listens to me,

at a loss when Nico suddenly returned to the

suitcases were filled to the brim with the children’s clothes, and it seemed as if the latter had emptied their entire closets into

he decided to

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

an empty ward and

like that, the princess and the prince lived happily

soon as the story ended, Zendaya frowned, still alert

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