The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

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.

“It’s okay if Daddy 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 go home?”

the sight of Zendaya bawling her eyes

never tucked Zendy into bed before. What am I supposed to

with no other option, Charles begrudgingly called Cedrick, only to realize the latter’s phone

sent a text over, but even so, there was still

on earth

sullen. “Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does

had seen Gwendolyn or

you take me to find Mommy? I want to sleep with Mommy. I want to hear her bedtime stories…” Zendaya said stubbornly

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

them! I want to join the army when I grow up. I want the strength and skills

sister had said, Benedict cocked his eyebrows in cold aloofness.

of retaliating, Zendaya clung to Charles’ arm and stared at him with big, doe eyes. “Uncle Charles, can you

but to his surprise, her

h*ll… What’s up with these two? Did they plan this? Why else is one phone turned off and the other on airplane

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

felt torn and didn’t know what

if I

I don’t know what to do! 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

at a loss when Nico suddenly

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

long the warning alert would last, so he decided to err on the side

load off his shoulders as the men could

ward and read her a fairy tale

that, the princess and the prince lived happily

soon as the story ended, Zendaya frowned, still

Charles, you read stories like you’re chanting scriptures. I didn’t

corners of his lips twitching ever