The Ex and Her Riches
Chapter 257

Chapter 257

Chapter 257 Got A Grip On Miss Harris

Evelyn had graced countless film festivals, paraded down numerous red carpets, and even attendedmyriad galas as a coveted guest.

However, she had never experienced a man who candidly refused to make an appearance with herarm in arm.

To her, it was outright humiliation.

Despite the ire boiling within, she managed an amicable smile. “Understood, Mr. Jenson. Don’t worry, Iwon’t put you in an awkward position with Ms. Harris.”

Cedrick nodded impassively and got out of the car first.

Nico quickly followed suit and went over to the other side to open the door for Evelyn.

The moment the duo made their appearances, they became the center of attention, with cameraflashlights bombarding them relentlessly.

Evelyn, well–acquainted with the current situation, flashed a charming yet dignified smile. As theyentered side by side, they maintained an impeccable distance, with not even a swish of their clothestouching each other.

Throughout the social exchanges and courtesies that followed, Evelyn was careful to maintain arespectful distance, which made Cedrick lower his guard a little.

Gwendolyn had already made her entrance before them.

However, she was not a fan of socializing and chose to sit in an unobtrusive corner with Joaquin tosavor time.

Joaquin downed one drink after another, his face marred with discontent.

Puzzled, Gwendolyn asked, “What’s wrong? Who’s managed to upset you?”

In a petulant huff, Joaquin said, “Cedrick”

Perplexed, Gwendolyn queried again, “You haven’t spoken a word to him since arriving at Salinsburgh.How did he manage to offend you?”

“He proposed to you before I could legally do so. Now, with the business alliance between the Jensonand Harris families, I fear I have lost my chance forever!” Joaquin said in despair.

Amused, Gwendolyn let out a chuckle as she flicked Joaquin’s forehead. “What nonsense are youspouting? Even if I weren’t engaged to him, I wouldn’t fancy someone younger than me.”

م

“You’re lying. You have previously confessed to liking me!” Joaquin protested.

With a palm on her forehead, Gwendolyn leveled with him. “Hey, brat. My fondness for you is akin to afriend and younger brother, not a lover. Don’t get your hopes up about me, or else I might have to avoidyou altogether, ending our friendship.”

“Don’t!” he interjected.

Joaquin downed the red wine in his glass in one go to comfort himself. “Although I won’t have thefortune to marry you, being your confidant isn’t bad.”

Amused by his train of thought, Gwendolyn could only shake her head.

After sitting in the quiet corner for a while without catching sight of Cedrick, Gwendolyn decided toexcuse herself. “I need to visit the restroom. I’ll be back shortly.”

Meanwhile, at the hotel garden’s fountain, Cedrick and Evelyn had just finished a round of socializing.

“Mr. Jenson, I feel it’s more intimate to address you as Mr. Cedrick. Is that all right?” Evelyn asked.

“Suit yourself,” Cedrick muttered.

Thrilled, she cooed, “Mr. Cedrick, were you satisfied with my socializing just now?”

Cedrick’s icy façade remained unchanged. “It was okay.”

His answer made her giggle like a child receiving candy.

Okay means not bad. Rounded up, it means he’s content with my performance. Cedrick has finallypraised me!

Her face beamed with delight. “Could you accompany me to a quieter place to rest, Mr. Cedrick? We’vebeen standing and talking for quite some time. I’m feeling rather tired.”

Cedrick glanced at her high heels and agreed.

They ambled down the pebbled path of the garden.

The tranquility surrounding them was accented by the dim lamplight, shrouding their silhouettes in avague and mysterious air.

Cedrick walked in silence, tucking his hands in his suit pockets. His dignified aura was tinged with anuntamed streak.

He stayed silent unless Evelyn initiated the conversation.

Their pace was unhurried, and the quiet atmosphere brought about a sense of eeriness.

Lost in thought about which topic to broach next, Evelyn was unaware of the unlevelled pebbled path.With an alarmed exclamation, she lost her balance and instinctively stumbled into Cedrick’s arms.

“Ah!”

With a reflexive step back, Cedrick avoided her fall and didn’t even touch the corners of her dress.

However, realizing her imminent tumble, he reached out to steady her.

“Mr. Cedrick, that was so scary!” Evelyn exclaimed.

– Her face turned pale. Grasping his arms tightly, she attempted to snuggle closer into his embrace.

Cedrick grimaced and was about to push her away when he caught sight of a silhouette in a red dressstanding not far away from them.

Gwendolyn crossed her hands and stood silently as she fixed Cedrick with a frigid and mocking stare.

“Gwenny, let me explain-”

Before he could finish, she scoffed and walked away without a backward glance.

“Gwenny!”

Cedrick felt a stab to his heart at the sight of Gwendolyn’s cold gaze. However, Evelyn clung to his armwith a death grip.

“Mr. Cedrick, my foot feels like it’s been twisted. It hurts so much!” she whimpered.

Cedrick couldn’t care less about her pain. His gloved hand tightened around her neck, fury visible in hisdark eyes.

“You saw Gwenny from the start, didn’t you? You deliberately stumbled into my arms, attempting tomake her misunderstand me, right?”

Evelyn’s face twisted in agony, reddening with distress. Gasping for air, she choked out, “W–What doyou mean, Mr. Cedrick? My foot is really hurt. If you don’t believe me, you can check. I/swear I’m notlying…

“You better not be!” Cedrick warned.

He let go of her, not caring to verify her claim.

Gwendolyn was upset with him, and that mattered more than anything else.

As he turned to pursue Gwendolyn, Evelyn once again held onto his suit sleeve.

Gone was her amicable and weak look. Her tone turned uncharacteristically stern as she said, “Mr.Cedrick, you truly don’t understand Gwendolyn. Despite your relentless love for her, you’ll only end upwith deeper wounds. She may be willing to be with you now, but I bet she has not confessed her love toyou up until now. Can’t you see it?”

Ignoring her, Cedrick shook off Evelyn’s hand ruthlessly and dashed after Gwendolyn.

Caught off guard, Evelyn fell to the ground, the pristine white hem of her dress stained with mud.

Я

However, her dress was the least of her concern right then. Her gaze remained locked on Cedrick. Aglint of excitement glowed in her eyes, and her enchantingly coy face was radiant with a brilliant smile.

Meanwhile, a little further away, the slow saunter of Gwendolyn was in stark contrast to the urgency inCedrick’s sprint.

Consequently, as Gwendolyn was about to step onto the stairs leading to the charity gala hall, Cedricksuccessfully intercepted her path.

“Gwenny, please. Could you please let me explain myself?” the man pleaded.

Gwendolyn cast him an indifferent glance, Repulsed by the suit that had been sullied by Evelyn’s handshe folded her arms and wanted to bypass Cedrick to enter the charity gala hall.

Cedrick was all too aware of how Gwendolyn must think of him now and dared not touch her. Hence,he only blocked her path, determined to not let her slip away.

“Gwenny…” His eyes tinged red as he pleaded softly.

Ignoring Cedrick’s plea, Gwendolyn battled her rising fury and uttered in a low growl, “Scram.”

The harsh words stung him, causing a throbbing pain in his chest. He bit his lower lip in frustration.

Standing in front of the charity gala hall, Cedrick swiftly undid his gloves and the golden buttons of hissuit.

Without a moment of hesitation, he stripped off his suit and gloves and promptly disposed of them in anearby trash can.

His sleek black silk shirt showcased his well–built figure impressively, but the unusual actions drew thebystanders‘ curious and surprised glances.

Ignoring their gazes, Cedrick swooped down and swiftly swept Gwendolyn off her feet.

This unexpected action elicited gasps and murmurs from the onlookers.

“What on earth are you doing?” Gwendolyn seethed, anger simmering in her eyes. “Are you out of yourmind? Put me down!”

Just as she attempted to struggle, Cedrick leaned in close to her ears and murmured softly, “So manypeople are watching, Gwenny. Remember our agreement this morning? I’ve discarded the soiledclothing. I’m innocent, and I’ll explain everything when we get back. Is that okay? Behave. If you fallfrom my grasp, it’ll be a disaster for both the Harris and Jenson families‘ stocks tomorrow.”

Naturally, Gwendolyn understood what was at stake.

She gritted her teeth and suppressed the urge to tweak Cedrick’s ears. Instead, she chose to playalong and curled her arms around his neck.

Cedrick knew she was still mad at him. His thin lips curled into a devilish smile. “Whether the stocks forthe Jenson and Harris families plummet or soar tomorrow depends entirely on how cooperative youare, Gwenny.”

“What else do you have in mind?” Gwendolyn asked sharply, sensing that the man had an ulteriormotive.

His grin widened. “I plan to make you appear in the headlines, Gwenny, by doing what a fiancé shoulddo.”