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?”

say, the sight of Zendaya bawling her eyes out tugged

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

called Cedrick, only to

over, but even so, there was still no

earth

the phone call and turned sullen. “Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does

wore a grim expression on his face. Neither of them had seen Gwendolyn or Cedrick the entire day, and it was beginning to feel

I want to hear her bedtime stories…” Zendaya said stubbornly as she wiped away her tears and put on a

“It’s pouring outside, and I don’t know where he is. Besides, Salinsburgh has

to join the army when I grow up. I want the

happy with what his sister had said, Benedict cocked his eyebrows in cold aloofness. “Who needs your protection? Even if I’m not physically strong, I’d still be smarter

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

to his surprise, her

these two? Did they plan this? Why else is one phone turned off and the other

Zendy. Be good,” Charles 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 tucked you into bed before, and I’d love

felt torn and didn’t know what

sad if I

what about Benny? I’m sure he’ll kick up a fuss too. I know Zendy listens to me, but the same can’t be said for Benny… Argh! There’s no way I can tuck

was still at a loss when Nico suddenly returned to the ward with two

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

the warning alert would last, so he decided to err on the side of caution and brought the kids’ fall and winter

his shoulders as the

promised, Charles took Zendaya into an empty ward and read her

and the

story ended, Zendaya frowned, still alert

stories like you’re chanting scriptures. I

Charles felt the corners of his lips