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?”

of Zendaya bawling her

into bed

option, Charles begrudgingly called Cedrick, only to realize the latter’s phone

quickly sent a text over, but even

What on earth is Cedrick up

“Did Daddy turn off his phone? Does he really not want

expression on his face. Neither of them had seen Gwendolyn or

Mommy. I want to hear her bedtime stories…” Zendaya said stubbornly as she wiped away

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 guys who devour

“Hmph! If I run into those bad guys, I’ll bite them! I want to join the army when I grow up.

eyebrows in cold aloofness. “Who needs your protection? Even if I’m not physically strong, I’d still be smarter than

Zendaya clung to Charles’ arm and stared at him with big, doe eyes. “Uncle Charles, can you take me to look for Mommy? Otherwise, I won’t be able to

Gwendolyn’s number, but to his surprise, her phone was

plan this? Why else is

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

torn and

sad if I turned

Zendy to 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

a loss when Nico suddenly returned to the ward

children’s clothes, and it seemed as if the

would last, so he decided to

that Nico was around, Charles felt a load off his shoulders as the men could split the task of coaxing

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

that, the princess and the prince lived

ended, Zendaya frowned, still alert and fully

like you’re chanting scriptures. I didn’t enjoy it.

the corners of his lips twitching ever