The Ex and Her Riches

Upon ending her train of thought, Gwendolyn unknowingly emptied a whole bottle of red wine.
When Elven saw she was about to open another, he stopped her. “The doctor said you can only drink a little wine after you hurt
your stomach last time by drinking too much, Ms. Harris.”“It’s only two bottles. Besides, I don’t get drunk that easily,” she replied.
Sighing, he reminded, “Did you forget you can’t hold your liquor as well as you could ever since that incident, Ms. Harris?”
After being stopped twice, Gwendolyn felt frustrated. Abruptly, she shoved the wine bottle and glass away. “Fine, I won’t drink
anymore! Take these away!”
Folding her arms grumpily, she closed her eyes to nap.
Elven placated her with a smile and shot a meaningful glance at his colleagues. Soon, Gwendolyn’s table was cleared.
By the time they arrived in Salinsburgh, it was already night.
Just as Gwendolyn wondered if she should return to the Harris residence, she received a call from Jasmine.
Jasmine was overjoyed to learn the announcement of Gwendolyn’s background and arrival in Salinsburgh. “You’re finally back,
Gwendolyn! How about we spend some time in The Honey Bee together? Many of your old friends are eager to meet you! Did
you miss them?”
It has been years since I met my childhood friends, and I don’t want to return to the Harris residence anyway, so why not?
“Sure,” answered Gwendolyn.
She only brought Elven with her.
As for Ezra and William, she requested them to book a hotel room as that was where they would be staying for the night.
Meanwhile, Quinton was sent off to tell Marcus of their arrival.
By the time Gwendolyn reached the bar, the others had already arrived.
More than a dozen people were gathered there, including Jasmine, Sherman, Triss Jenson, David Jenson’s daughter, and her
old friends.
The instant Gwendolyn opened the door to the private room, Jasmine and Triss used the confetti poppers from where they were
hiding behind the door. In the blink of an eye, small colorful paper filled the room. “Welcome back!”

Gwendolyn couldn’t help but smile in response to seeing that. “Thank you.”
Jasmine promptly dragged Gwendolyn to the couch by the latter’s arm. “There’s no need for you to thank us. You have no idea
how sad we were when we heard your death. It’s fantastic that you’re finally willing to reveal your identity!”
Gwendolyn had a great time with her friends as they drank.
Jasmine and Triss occupied the seats next to her. Due to their younger age, she considered them her little sisters and had a
good relationship with them.
Upon recalling the news Quinton shared with her on the plane, Gwendolyn asked, “I heard your family’s eldest grandson took
control of the family. Is he giving you all a hard time?”
“Nope. My dad’s never been interested in stuff like power. Back then, only Uncle Yael competed ruthlessly with Cedrick. That’s
why Cedrick treats our family pretty well even after he took control,” replied Triss.
Gwendolyn patted her head with a smile of relief. “That’s good, then.”
“Cedrick’s quite pitiful, though. He was covered in blood and wounds when he returned from his mission half a year ago.
Apparently, he vomited blood every day. It scared Grandpa to death. However, he’s pretty amazing. I didn’t expect him to snatch
control of the family back from Uncle Yael. He has my respect.”
Gwendolyn’s response was silence. Even though I’ve just arrived at Salinsburgh, I’ve heard two people praising this Cedrick
already. I admit, I’m curious to see what kind of person he is.
Just as Gwendolyn was deep in thought, Jasmine sneakily switched places with someone.
When Gwendolyn turned to her side, she saw Sherman sitting beside her with a wineglass, looking as elegant and dashing as
ever.
He raised his glass at her. “It’s been a while since we last met, but you’re still as pretty as ever, Gwendolyn.”
Smiling, Gwendolyn clinked her glass with his. “When did your family find you and bring you back to Salinsburgh from overseas,
Mr. Ferguson?”
Sherman’s expression stiffened for two reasons.
First, it was because she was treating him far more distantly than before.

Secondly, he was still angry about the matter. That d*mn Maverick! I still can’t believe he played a dirty trick on me! After he
tossed me to the cargo ship, I was brought to a small, illiterate, and desolate country. It took my family ages to locate me!
Although, he’s dead now, so I have a better chance at pursuing Gwendolyn.
When his train of thought ended there, his expression returned to normal. “It’s been months since I’ve returned. Initially, I planned
to search for you in Fairlake. However, there was a situation at the company preventing me from leaving. However, I heard
Maverick has...”
Gwendolyn’s smile froze as she tightened her grip around the glass.
“I’m sorry, did I touch a nerve?” Staring at her apologetically, Sherman tried to hold her hand to comfort her.
However, Gwendolyn silently stood, avoiding his touch, and poured herself another glass of wine.
Sherman couldn’t help but feel a little awkward. Still, he peered at her affectionately. “Since that burden is no longer weighing
you down, once you have had enough fun with your single life, let me take care of you, okay?”
That spurred Gwendolyn to furrow her eyebrows. Is he calling Maverick a burden?
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to bring up this topic at a gathering, Mr. Ferguson,” she warned with a frigid look.
After all, her friends were around, and she didn’t want to sour the mood.
“Gwendolyn...” The look in Sherman’s eyes darkened slightly as he winced a little. “The past can never return. You need to start
a new life eventually.”
Gwendolyn didn’t even glance at him as she gulped down two large glasses of red wine consecutively. Then, she turned to Triss.
“I need to visit the restroom. The rest of you should keep drinking.”
Her cheeks were reddened, and her mind was in a daze as she left the room. It seems Quinton was right about me on the plane.
I shouldn’t have drunk that much, considering I’m feeling tipsy already.
She walked unsteadily and slowly as Sherman’s words repeated in her mind, upsetting her.
Everyone around me keeps telling me to accept Maverick’s death and move on. Did they think I didn’t try to start a new life? I still
can’t forget what happened after six months. Whenever I recall those things, I still feel guilty and awful. After taking a deep
breath, she attempted to stifle the emotions bubbling in her heart.

Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar, towering figure at her periphery.
That person... Gwendolyn held her breath and shook her head. Once her vision became clearer, she saw the figure vanishing
around a corner.
“Maverick! Is that you?” Without delay, she chased after the figure. However, when she arrived at the corner, she saw no one in
the corridor.
Elven, who heard her shouting, rushed toward her and steadied the swaying woman. “Are you drunk, Ms. Harris?”
In response, Gwendolyn grabbed his arms very tightly, as though she was making sure he was really there. “I’m not drunk! I saw
Maverick earlier! It must’ve been him! I’d never mistake his figure for someone else! He’s definitely alive, Elven!”
Hearing that, Elven was both shocked and bewildered.
However, when he saw her determined expression, he still scanned through the faces of all the customers down the aisle after
asking her to stay put.
In the end, he returned to Gwendolyn with a sigh. “I think you were mistaken, Ms. Harris.”
Gwendolyn shook her head with reddened eyes and spat resolutely, “No! It must’ve been him! It must be! Lock down the entire
bar and check every room in this building!”