The Ex and Her Riches
Chapter 691

Chapter 691

Charles still remembered Whitney smiling and offering him her best wishes before he left that day,saying sincerely, “I hope that your blind date goes well, Mr. Newton.”

He stared at his phone screen, seemingly lost in thought. Now that I think about it, I bet Whitney’ssudden resignation has something to do with going home for a blind date.

Nevertheless, he swiftly cast his thoughts aside as his slender fingers typed out a reply to theoceanarium director: No need for that. When she clears her paycheck, give her the propercompensation per the standard resignation procedure.

The oceanarium director texted back: Mr. Newton, monetary compensation shouldn’t be offered incircumstances like hers where she submitted the resignation letter on her own and with the resignationstatement being personal reasons.

Charles: As I said, settle it as per usual.

Those few simple words were enough for him to convey his displeasure and authoritative demeanor tothe oceanarium director, resulting in the latter’s prompt reply: Very well.

After closing the chat window, Charles was about to put down his phone when a new text messagepopped up from an unknown number: Mr. Newton, this is Jessamyn Cloud. Are you free today at noon?I’d like to treat you to lunch. Because of my mood yesterday, I may have spoken somewhat harshly andcome off as unfriendly toward you. I wish to apologize to you in person. Is that okay?

He frowned almost immediately when he saw the words “Jessamyn Cloud,” and the disgust in his eyeswas impossible to hide.

Out of politeness, though, he had no choice but to reply: I’m busy.

Jessamyn responded with a sobbing emoji and the words: You’re a gentleman, Mr. Newton. Pleasedon’t turn me down. We’ll just be having a meal. My dad gave me a stern scolding after I returnedhome yesterday. I sincerely apologize to you for my previous misconduct, Mr. Newton. Can you giveme a chance to explain in person? The Cloud family is strict. My dad will kill me if I don’t see you.

She ended the message with another crying emoji.

Charles frowned as he read the woman’s texts, a little irritated by the continuous pinging of the textmessage notification.

His display of gentlemanly demeanor was contingent upon the person he was conversing with. In thepast, he reserved such behavior solely for Gwendolyn. However, in the presence of anyone else, hiscivility was largely absent, let alone any traces of gentlemanliness.

Just as he was about to block her contact, a child’s head suddenly entered his line of sight, obscuringhis vision of his phone screen.

Zendaya had heard his phone pinging nonstop and had run over to investigate.

“Who is it, Uncle Charles?”

Charles never hid anything from her, so he answered truthfully, “It’s Jessamyn, the daughter of theCloud family whom you met yesterday at the restaurant. She’s the one who sent the texts.”

Zendaya pouted in displeasure. “What’s wrong with her? I can’t believe she sent so many texts to scoldyou! Don’t back down, Uncle Charles. Reply to her now. I’ll help you come up with a reply!”

Gently stroking her flushed pink cheeks, Charles couldn’t contain his laughter. “No, she’s not scoldingme. She’s actually offering to treat me to lunch as a token of apology. She even said that if I turned herdown, her dad would kill her. What do you think, Zendy? Should we join her for lunch at noon?”

“Apologize?” Zendaya’s response was sharp-witted as ever as she replied, “Of course, we should. Shehumiliated you yesterday and even scolded me. I want to hear her apology before deciding whether ornot she should be forgiven. Plus, we’d get a free meal, so why shouldn’t we go?”

Charles let out a chuckle before praising sincerely, “Such a sensible girl you are, Zendy. You’re evenhelping me save money on food.”

The little girl flashed him a blinding smile. “That’s because I’m only five years old, so Daddy andMommy don’t give me much pocket money. But Uncle Treyton said that I’m the prospective heir ofHarris Group, so I’ll be very rich in the future. When the time comes, I can provide for you until yourdeath, Uncle Charles.”

Despite being very touched, he still could not help correcting her words.

“You can provide for me in my old age, but remove the word ‘death.’ I’m still very young and want tospend a few more decades with you. I don’t wish to be sent off in a coffin so soon.”

“Got it!”

“Good girl,” Charles praised gently. He then honored Zendaya’s wishes and replied to Jessamyn’s text,agreeing to meet at noon.

While he was typing, the little girl stood by his side, saying excitedly, “Uncle Charles, remember to tellMs. Cloud that I’ll be choosing the place to eat, but she’ll be paying for it. I’ll choose the most expensiverestaurant in Salinsburgh and make her poor!”

“All right. I’ll do as you say, Zendy.”

Two hours later, Jessamyn booked a private room in the restaurant that Zendaya requested.

She was standing outside the restaurant waiting when Charles came in with Zendaya in his arms. Uponseeing them, she greeted them with a pleasant and humble smile.

“Ms. Cloud, I recall you also arriving a few minutes early yesterday and sitting in the private roomwaiting for me. You didn’t even get up when I went in, so I replace it strange that you’re willing to stand atthe entrance and wait for me today,” Charles remarked in a flat tone heavily tinted with frost.

Jessamyn’s expression stiffened slightly, but she quickly composed herself and smiled apologetically. “Iwas too immature yesterday. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Mr. Newton.”

Charles made no response. He merely looked at the little girl in his arms.

Zendaya stared at the woman facing her, and aside from snorting in disdain, said nothing either.

Cedrick had already given her an ultimatum the previous day, forbidding her from calling Charles“Daddy” outside, so she merely came to listen to them talk and look adorable.

Jessamyn felt a little embarrassed, and the smile on her face was slightly stiff, but at the thought of herfather’s instructions, she steeled herself and said to Zendaya, “It’s noon. You must be hungry, Darling.This way, Mr. Newton. Let’s talk inside.”

Under the guidance of the restaurant manager, the trio proceeded to the private room.

As soon as she sat down, Jessamyn courteously placed some food on Zendaya’s plate. “This king crabis their signature dish, and it’s prepared better than other famous restaurants in Salinsburgh. Try it andsee if you like it, Ms. Zendy.”

She peeled the crab meat and dipped it in the sauce before placing it on Zendaya’s plate.

However, the little girl pouted in disdain. “I don’t want to eat food served by you, Ms. Cloud.” Shepushed her plate back, gesturing for Jessamyn to enjoy it herself.

Charles’ attention, however, was on the way Jessamyn had addressed Zendaya.

I hadn’t called Zendy by name before Jessamyn during lunch yesterday.

“It looks like you already know Zendy’s identity. That’s why you asked me to lunch to apologize andadmit your mistake,” he remarked.

Jessamyn made no effort to hide it. “That’s right. I heard Ms. Zendy calling you ‘Daddy’ yesterday andsaid those unpleasant words in the heat of the moment. I hope you and Ms. Zendy won’t hold a grudgeagainst me, Mr. Newton.”

Zendaya sat on Charles’ lap, saying arrogantly, “You called me an illegitimate daughter yesterday andscolded me for my bad upbringing. Don’t think that I’ll forgive you after just one meal!”

Jessamyn’s lips curled up in an awkward smile. She took the initiative to fill Charles’ glass with redwine before raising her glass at him.

“If one meal is not enough to make amends, then make it two, three, or however many you want. Aftergoing back and thinking about it, I discovered that I really like your personality, Mr. Newton, and I wishto get to know you better. A toast to you.”

The mellow red wine went down her throat, rich in flavor.

However, Charles made no move to raise his glass, merely playing with the little girl in his arms.

I would’ve dealt with the Cloud family if I hadn’t been worried about lashing out in front of Zendyyesterday. I won’t accept her toast, and there’s no need to continue this unsuccessful blind date.

Jessamyn continued holding the empty glass after downing the red wine. Since Charles did not intendto accept her toast, she would keep it raised.

The atmosphere in the private room became slightly awkward. Charles and Zendaya chatted happily,making Jessamyn seem like the third wheel.

This tense atmosphere continued for more than two minutes. It was only when she noticed the waitressentering with some fruit that Jessamyn’s expression softened.

“The fruit platter you ordered, Ms. Cloud.”

Jessamyn set her wine glass down and motioned with her gaze. “I ordered it for the little girl. Put it infront of her.”

The waitress walked over with the fruit platter but froze upon seeing Charles with Zendaya on his lap.Her wrist trembled, and the fruit platter tilted to the side.

Crash!

The glass plate hit the edge of the table, and the whole fruit platter flew out of the woman’s hands,leaving a mess on the carpet.

Jessamyn stood up and exclaimed angrily, “How can you be so careless! What if you hurt Ms. Zendy?Call your manager over immediately!”

The woman bowed and uttered politely, “I’m sorry.”

Zendaya looked up from Charles’ arms, and when she saw the woman’s familiar face, she exclaimed insurprise, “Look, Uncle Charles. It’s Whitney who came in with the plate!”

Charles followed her gaze and raised his head, staring at the woman inquisitively. “What are you doinghere?”