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?”

bawling her eyes

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

over, but even so,

What on earth is

Zendaya eavesdropped on the phone call and turned sullen. “Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does he really

them had seen Gwendolyn or

want to hear

Federal Bureau of Investigation today, 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

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

aloofness. “Who

him with big, doe eyes. “Uncle Charles, can

Gwendolyn’s number, but to

plan this? Why else is one phone turned off and the

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 to try it. Will you give me

Zendaya felt torn

Uncle Charles would be sad if I turned him

sleep, but 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

at a loss when Nico suddenly returned

it seemed as if the latter

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

Charles felt a load off his shoulders as the men

Zendaya into an empty ward and read her a fairy tale he

and

ended, Zendaya frowned, still alert and fully

scriptures. I didn’t enjoy it. What should we do

of his lips twitching