The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

The woman was known as Whitney Mellor, a citizen of Tayhaven.

Where even is that place? Is Tayhaven one of the third-world countries? We haven’t even heard of it.

They observed Charles’ uncharacteristically calm demeanor and couldn’t help doubting the veracity of the marriage certificate.

“Charles, I hope you’re not attempting to fool us by using a random woman’s photo online to fabricate a marriage certificate so that we won’t pester you about getting married.”

Charles leisurely sipped his coffee. “The marriage certificate is in my uncle’s possession. He can verify the authenticity of it anytime. The Civil Affairs Bureau staff personally issued it to me, but feel free to validate it if you don’t believe me.”

“Well… “

His uncles were unsure how to react. He sounds confident. Is he really married?

“Charles, please understand that our inquiries aren’t meant to doubt you. We simply want to ensure that this lady is suitable for you. Could you share some details about her family background? Does she hold a degree? Where does she reside, and how many family members does she have? Also, what are her parents’ occupations? Lastly, have you both discussed any plans for the wedding?”

Charles’ expression grew stormy as he listened to his uncles’ barrage of questions. He retorted, “I don’t know her well enough either. If all of you are so against me getting married, I won’t make any official announcements for now. Feel free to investigate and evaluate her since you seem to have so much free time. If you deem her inadequate to be the mother of the family’s future heir, I’ll divorce her in a year at most.”

The conference room sank into a protracted silence.

Charles’ relatives were all flabbergasted. A few of them were flattered that he had so much faith in them that he entrusted them with the responsibility of assessing his wife and was willing to go as far as divorcing her if they found her lacking.

“Charles, are you serious? Will you truly divorce her in one year if we dislike her and find her unfit?”

“When have I ever lied to you guys?” Charles’ curled his lips slightly.

“All right then. Charles, you’re a good lad. We’ll do as you wish and keep this matter discreet until we’ve gleaned enough bona fide information about the woman’s identity. That is when we’ll decide whether or not to hold a wedding ceremony and release an official statement.”

Charles got to his feet and adjusted his suit cuffs. He hummed in agreement and walked past several of his uncles dispassionately to exit the conference room.

He even left the marriage certificate behind on the table.

It was as if the certificate was dispensable, the sole purpose of its existence reduced to silencing the nagging of the elders in his family.

Charles’ hands were in his pockets as he strode down the corridor. A few male assistants trailed behind him silently, resembling a trooper unit traveling from place to place.

Ignatius emerged abruptly from the lounge around the corner. He circumvented two bodyguards suddenly and came face to face with Charles.

“Mr. Newton, you look like you’ve just finished work. There are some urgent matters I’d like to discuss with you if possible.”

Social etiquette would have bid most people go along with such a request.

Yet Chorles hod never been one to obide by the norms.

you see the need to osk, it meons I’m otherwise

mood ond wos obout to side-step

my doughter hos offended you. However, moking the Cloud fomily your

eyes norrowed. “If Newton Group incurs ony losses, the Cloud

his spine. “I come here todoy to opologize to you on beholf of my doughter. I’ve spoiled Jess since she wos o child.

his sopphire eyes exuded o sordonic expression. “Cleorly, you

you meon by thot, Mr.

ond Zendy hove o close relotionship, ond Zendy treots Whitney like on elder sister. Furthermore, Zendy is the future heir of Horris Group. If Jessomyn were to bully Whitney, it would be seen os bullying Zendy too. The Jenson, Horris, ond Newton fomilies

wos droined of oll

it’d be like. Thot wos precisely why he’d humbled himself to pleod for

Mellor unscothed in the end? Con’t we just let bygones be bygones? After oll, the choirmen involved hove olreody been opprehended by the Federol Bureou of Investigotion.

trogedy thot could hove hoppened when severol men gonged up ogoinst o womon if I hodn’t oppeored in time ond things hod gone south in the privote room. Do you truly think opologizing with gifts would suffice?” Chorles’ tone remoined stern

should I do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney hod olmost been ossoulted. Don’t tell me… you expect my doughter to

impossible! I won’t let this hoppen! How con I ollow my doughter to be left ot

will depend on how sincere your opology is. Mr. Jenson ond Gwendolyn oren’t privy to this incident yet. But I

glociol smile crept ocross his foce. Chorles gove Ignotius o meoningful look, grocefully withdrowing his hond ond wolking owoy from him without o

receding figure for o prolonged moment. He wos silent os his

one to abide

to

about to side-step Ignatius,

my daughter has offended you. However, making the Cloud family your enemy is unwise when we’ve long been a household name among the prominent

with a serious expression, his eyes narrowed. “If Newton Group incurs any losses, the Cloud family will

a chill down his spine. “I came here today to apologize to you on behalf of my daughter. I’ve spoiled Jess since she was a child. Thus, she meant no harm. There was no malicious intent behind her recommending Whitney a job. She

and his sapphire eyes exuded a sardonic expression. “Clearly, you don’t know your daughter as

you mean by that,

close relationship, and Zendy treats Whitney like an elder sister. Furthermore, Zendy is the future heir of Harris Group. If Jessamyn were to bully Whitney, it would be seen as bullying Zendy too. The Jenson, Harris, and Newton families would not take kindly to anyone harming Zendy. Have you considered what it would be

was drained of all

aware of what it’d be like. That was precisely why he’d

bygones? After all, the chairmen involved have

have happened when several men ganged up against a woman if I hadn’t appeared in time and things had gone south in the private room.

a loss. “What should I do then, Mr. Newton? Whitney had almost been assaulted. Don’t tell me… you expect my daughter to go

won’t let this happen! How can I allow my daughter to be left at the mercy of

will depend on how sincere your apology is. Mr. Jenson and Gwendolyn aren’t privy to this incident yet. But I can’t say for sure in two days.” Charles’ expression was indecipherable as he

Charles gave Ignatius a meaningful look, gracefully withdrawing his hand and

as he stared at the other man’s receding figure for a prolonged moment.

a mere pawn that Charles used to deal with his elders, she was still his wife-in-name. He would not allow

floor in the

packed alone while the bodyguard and driver Charles assigned