The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Channing said to Gwendolyn, “Fine. I’ll listen to you, Mrs. Jenson.”

Gwendolyn nodded in satisfaction. She smirked and drawled, “A wise choice, Mr. Kron.”

The man shrugged and left, dejection written all over his face. Dealing with this couple is proving to be more difficult than imagined. I’m taking on a huge risk to work with Cedrick from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Still, no pain, no gain.

Channing collected himself and left the basement.

Meanwhile, a frowning Jasper looked as though he was about to dole out more advice, only to be silenced by Gwendolyn’s displeased gaze.

His gaze swept across the dim, dusty basement, and he sighed before leaving.

Outside the villa, several black cars were concealed in a dense forest some distance away.

Jasper secretly called Cedrick, who was camped out in one of the vehicles. “Mr. Jenson, the person who came earlier is Quintrell Olsen. He’s Mr. Wendell’s bodyguard, and he came to confirm with his own eyes that Channing had kidnapped Mrs. Jenson. And another thing…”

He trailed off before adding, “To convince Mr. Wendell, Channing tied Mrs. Jenson up and locked her in the basement.”

As a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Team Nine, years of training had conditioned him to be truthful with his superiors at all times. Habit spurred him to tell Cedrick the truth about Gwendolyn’s situation.

Everyone in the car froze and waited for Cedrick’s response with bated breath.

Cedrick’s expression darkened. He clenched his fists so tightly that his veins bulged, and his eyes reddened with fury. He was barely reining in his temper.

The man’s prolonged silence told Jasper volumes about his rage. Hastily, Jasper explained, “Mr. Jenson, that was Mrs. Jenson’s request. She wanted to make things more believable to dispel Mr. Wendell’s suspicion, so she asked to be held in the basement.”

The explanation only worsened Cedrick’s mood.

He kept imagining Gwendolyn’s chafed wrists from being tied up and how lonely she would feel in the dark and dirty basement.

Channing! You id*ot!

The car remained in pin-drop silence. Everyone dared not make a peep as Cedrick’s sharp gaze landed on the villa which held Gwendolyn.

Eventually, his breathing appeared to calm.

He knew Gwendolyn’s obstinate character all too well.

Now that she had committed to the plan, she naturally had to take certain risks to ensure their success. Cedrick was worried about her well-being but could not pull the brakes on their plan now. All he could do was to cooperate.

prompted Jasper

care to

before Cedrick sighed almost inaudibly and said, “Ensure her safety, and inform me promptly of any

“Understood.”

as he instructed his men in the vehicle, “Dispatch three teams to camp near

behind his

order to further solidify the act, he needed to demonstrate to Hamish that he was not only

in the blink of an

utilized. He had

of Gwendolyn’s captivity, streaks of sunlight peeped through the

villa’s second floor. He smoked

to work with Cedrick had given him a sense of security, though he still felt uneasy about Gwendolyn’s insistence on living in the

“Mr. Kron!”

surprised Channing into

With a fierce glare, Channing roared, “Can’t you see

“Mr. Wendell sent some men here, Mr.

up? Again? It’ll be tough to get the man here if he’s still sending

He smirked and scoffed.

to show up

three expressionless, suit-clad men stood in the

arrived, one of them said, “Mr. Wendell sent

“Negotiate? Please! I gave him proof of that woman’s kidnapping, but he refuses to show up. He clearly

himself some coffee and added provocatively, “You should know that the person in my basement now is none other than Cedrick Jenson’s precious

of Hamish’s representatives, sat opposite Channing uninvited and declared, “Let’s not grumble over such small matters, Mr. Kron.

table and slowly leaned toward Channing, caging the latter in. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation has this villa surrounded for the past three days. Even a bird couldn’t fly out of

even smirked arrogantly

sunglasses concealed his

know that the villa was completely

replied calmly, “You seem to

your dilemma. No one will dare to set foot here. Only Mr. Wendell is helping you. Aren’t

“Let’s hear it.”

ordered his bodyguard to pour him some coffee. He slowly took a sip before saying, “You kidnapped Cedrick’s woman for a small ransom, but alas, he doesn’t seem bothered even though so much time has passed. He even

her safety at all. So, to seize his Achilles heel, you need his son. Once

pleased with his

at the man while fiddling with the ceramic coffee

I’m no fool. Mr. Wendell has always been a proud man and never reveals his face to anyone. Now, he’s