The Ex and Her Riches

Treyton began crying at the sight of her tears, and he pulled her closer to his chest.
“Calm down, Kiddo. This isn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself for everything. You never knew what was happening. If you keep
tormenting yourself in this way, you’re going to be overwhelmed.”
Even though he said that, Gwendolyn merely grabbed his sleeve as the thoughts of the nightmare she had had before the day of
the incident flashed past her mind.
In her dream, Maverick was covered in blood as he kneeled in the fire in devastation.
She could not register any of Treyton’s words as tears flowed uncontrollably.
“Treyton, I had always thought that he was trying to kill me, so I was fine with hating and tormenting him. I wouldn’t listen to any
explanations he tried to give me. The pain he dealt me in the past was isolation and mockery, but all the pain I gave him was
physical. This is my fault. I killed him. It was me...”
Treyton cupped her tear-streaked face and whispered gently in her ear, again and again, “No, it isn’t, Kiddo. You haven’t done
anything wrong. You didn’t kill him. This was his choice. He’s gone, but you’re still alive, so don’t hurt yourself in this way
anymore.”
“But, Treyton...”
At that, Gwendolyn buried herself in Treyton’s arms and sobbed.
“I wanted to numb myself, so I drank so much to try to forget these things. I tried to get my rationality back, but I can’t do it. The
more I drink, the soberer I become. The image of him bleeding is just seared into my mind. Treyton, I... I...”
Suddenly, her breathing quickened, and her world dimmed. She passed out.
“Kiddo!”
Frightened, Treyton hastily told Elven to look for a doctor before taking her out of the bathroom to a room on the third floor.
As they were all men, they could not change Gwendolyn and clean her up. Hence, Treyton asked Elven to bring Flora to Bay
Villa.
A whole group of people then took care of Gwendolyn, who was unconscious from her high fever.

When the doctor came, he gave her a shot. However, Gwendolyn was too weak. She had been drinking alcohol without eating
for three days straight, almost ruining her liver. It was only after two days of IV therapy did some of the blood returned to her
cheeks.
After that was a series of treatments. They busied away for two days and nights before the woman on the bed slowly returned to
the waking world.
Gwendolyn’s head felt like it was about to split apart, but the first word that came out of her mouth upon waking was still the
same.
“Maverick...”
It was a whisper, but Treyton heard her clearly.
With a soft sigh, he stirred the soup that Flora made for Gwendolyn. “Kiddo, forget about him. I’m sure you’ll meet another man
who’s better and loves you more.”
Gwendolyn shot him a startled look and tried to retaliate, only to realize that she could not make any sound.
All adults were realistic. How many would be willing to risk their lives for someone else?
There was no way she would ever get another man who loved her in the same way.
It felt as though someone was wringing her heart like a towel. Gwendolyn clenched her chest and scrunched up her face, beads
of cold sweat gathering on her forehead.
Treyton knew that she could not take the truth, but he could do nothing about it. He gently persuaded, “You’re still young, and life
gets better. Don’t think of miserable times like these anymore, okay? Look at how terribly you’ve treated yourself after his funeral.
I’m heartbroken to see you like this. If Dad, Asher, and Kieran find out about this, they’ll be heartbroken too. Even if you don’t
care about yourself, you should do this for the family who loves you, all right?”
Gwendolyn averted her gaze and looked out of the window in response, ignoring him.
“Here, Kiddo. Have some soup. Flora made this, and it’s the best.”
Treyton lifted the spoon to her lips.
Nevertheless, Gwendolyn kept her lips pressed tightly together.

Well aware of her stubborn streak, Treyton sighed and tried a different way.
“If you want to repay him for what he has done for you, then you should be letting yourself recover as quickly as you can. He’s
gone, and the Wright family only has two women supporting it. Although the Wright family’s assets are now all with you, Dexter
will definitely make things difficult for you; you’ll need to help Maverick get his family settled.”
At that, a hint of light finally entered Gwendolyn’s eyes.
Treyton was delighted to see the change, and he added, “If you recover quickly, you’ll be able to think of the best way to deal
with this situation, right?”
Gwendolyn lowered her gaze and began mulling over Treyton’s words.
Treyton hurriedly brought the spoon to her lips and coaxed, “So let’s have some soup, okay? We can only deal with these things
once you’re fine, right?”
This time, Gwendolyn accepted the soup.
Treyton was right. Frida and Sheralyn were the only members of Maverick’s family left in the world. She would have to make
arrangements for them on Maverick’s behalf.
Wright Construction Group, too. She no longer had the heart to deal with it, so she had to hand it over to the Wrights, but it had
to be someone she trusted.
Nevertheless, what Sheralyn needed was a good lesson first.
Gwendolyn spent the next two days resting and contemplating the matter. Her physical state improved, and so did the condition
of her throat.
In the morning, while she was lying on the bed having oatmeal, she summoned Justin.
“Ms. Harris, were you looking for me?”
Gwendolyn was expressionless as she ate her oatmeal. “How are things on Charles’ side?”
“I heard that he has been sent to a high-security prison, but I don’t know how long he’ll be serving. Nevertheless, he’s definitely
not keeping his position as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. After all, he stole the lab’s prohibited drugs. This was

already a serious issue by itself, and the one he hurt was even Mr. Wright, who belongs to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Gwendolyn stiffened.
Immediately, Justin smacked his mouth in frustration. Treyton had already told him to mention Maverick as little as possible
around Gwendolyn.
After concealing her rising emotions, she stirred her oatmeal and said, “What response does the Newton family have?”
“Mr. Newton is only the fourth son of the head of the Newton family. He shouldn’t have had any power in the family anyway.
There’s internal conflict within the Newton family too, so it seems like they’re not planning to rescue him.”
How sad. Even the Newton family isn’t planning to save him. But he had it coming for hurting Maverick.
After those thoughts, Gwendolyn turned to look at Justin solemnly. “From now on, you’re no longer my bodyguard. You’re
dismissed.”
Justin shuddered as his lips trembled. “Ms. Harris, do you not want me anymore? Do you hate me for what happened?”
“I don’t.”
Gwendolyn placed the bowl on the bedside table and calmly replied, “He has already dealt with the men in black. No one poses
a threat to your life anymore, so you can leave safely now.”
“But Ms. Harris, I...” I just want to stay by your side, even if it means doing nothing but looking at you.
Before he could finish his sentence, Gwendolyn turned to look at him icily. “Every time I look at you, I think about the pain he
endured in the fire. I feel terrible, and I feel like I’m suffocating. So, your departure is for the best.”
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry about what happened to Mr. Wright. I can understand your grudge toward me and your reluctance to
see me.” Justin’s eyes were red. He was reluctant. “But can I stay today to finish my last shift? I won’t disturb you anymore after
this.”
It was merely one day, so Gwendolyn did not mind.
“Okay.”
Justin then slinked away.

Right as he left, Elven rushed into the room. “Ms. Harris, your phone has been on silent mode, so you didn’t receive Ms.
Sullivan’s call. She just sent someone over to say that Dexter has been kicking up a fuss at Wright Construction Group every day
recently. He’s been insisting that you hand over the right to manage the company.”
Gwendolyn remained expressionless, for she expected that.
Maverick had not made a will. The forty-five percent Wright Construction Group shares that he owned were definitely Dexter’s
target.