The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Seeing that Charles still didn’t respond, the other men in the room couldn’t figure out his temperament.

One of the men asked, “Can we leave now, Mr. Newton? We don’t have any more money on us, and we didn’t touch this who—I mean, woman. In fact, she’s the one who beat us up so badly that we’re covered in injuries. We’ll have to see a doctor right away.”

Charles narrowed his eyes and spat coldly, “Scram.”

“Okay, okay.” The men immediately scurried away.

When they passed by Charles, he caught a glimpse of their injuries.

Some had fractured arms while some were covering their bleeding waist.

All six of those men had their butts kicked by Whitney, a woman, despite their advantage in numbers.

As such, Charles’ interest in Whitney was roused.

Slowly, he ambled into the messy room. The shattered glass pieces scattered all over the floor crumbled beneath his dark leather shoes.

Whitney, who was hiding beneath the table, trembled violently and held her breath upon hearing his steady footsteps.

In her mind, she prayed, Please don’t see me, please don’t see me, please don’t…

A second later, she felt warmth on her shoulders. She tilted her head and saw Charles taking off his coat and draping it over her shoulder to cover her tattered clothes.

He’s so gentle, so much so that he can charm any woman in minutes. Whitney felt even more ashamed and hung her head low, not daring to meet his gaze.

“You don’t have to hide. I know who you are,” uttered Charles in a deep, magnetic voice, which was pleasant to Whitney’s ears.

“Why did you come to this dangerous place? Are you in desperate need of money?” he asked.

In response, Whitney nodded as tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry. You just said you wanted to try dating me in the afternoon, yet I embarrassed you in the evening on the same day…”

the money on the table, squatted down, and delivered it to Whitney. “Take

her head, but as soon as her eyes met Charles’ piercing

refused to take the money. “I don’t want it. If you hadn’t

with me. You deserve this money. Consider it your reward for sparring with those men. Besides,

plain that Whitney was almost sexually assaulted by the group of men, Charles referred

her courage and raised her gaze, daring to ask, “Don’t you find it disgusting that I’m earning money in a

of Charles’ lips curved upward slightly. “Not at all. You’re an adult, and you’re forced to do what it takes to make ends meet. I can understand that. Although, you should avoid taking such risks in the future. Your safety should come first when you’re outside, especially because

“Thank you.”

Charles handed the cash in

compensation for my emotional damage. Perhaps I’ll have some money left over after purchasing the cologne as a

a happy-go-lucky woman.

but I don’t need to visit the hospital. All I endured was a few slaps,

I’ll send you home.” He stood, hands stuffed into his pockets, ready

forward, he stopped because he didn’t hear

noticed she hadn’t moved

were red like a rabbit’s, the tears on her countenance mixed with blood.

and uttered, “I… My legs are numb. I can’t stand up. I’m not doing

I could walk, I proved myself wrong just thirty seconds later. I wish the ground

men earlier? Why are her legs numb after

behavior slightly distasteful, he still approached her and carried her after considering

so it was easy for him to lift her

Her body was tainted with blood, and her hair was messy, making her

would easily arouse a

and staring at her for a

even blink as his

light and thin, too. When we were younger, I used to carry her like this as well. I even spun around with her in my arms, promising to love and protect her forever. Now, she no longer needs my protection. She’ll never

discern the expressions swirling