The Ex and Her Riches

Cedrick agreed without hesitation. “Of course. It’s only right. I will marry Gwenny and take full responsibility!”
Kieran narrowed his eyes and gave the other man a scathing look. “Do you think everything will be solved if you just took
responsibility?”
Gwendolyn knew her brother well enough.
He has a grudge against Cedrick. Knowing how vengeful he is, he’s not going to let it slide without teaching Cedrick a lesson he
will never forget.
“I’m to blame too, Kieran,” she said hastily. “Ceddy had just recovered. Don’t torment him.”
Kieran was unmoved. “He wouldn’t learn to treasure you if I don’t teach him a lesson. Does he think that asking for your hand in
marriage is all he needs to do to court the daughter of the Harris family?”
“Kieran...”
Gwendolyn took a step forward, but Cedrick stopped her. “I will do whatever you ask of me,” he said in a level voice. “Nothing is
off limits!”
“Very well.”
Upon obtaining the man’s promise and regarding him with one last haughty glare, Kieran rose and turned to leave.
Gwendolyn called out to him nervously, “Does Asher know, Kieran? You didn’t tell him, did you?”
Kieran would not bear to hurt her, but it was Asher who had disciplined her ever since she was young; he would never let both
her and Cedrick off the hook.
Pausing in his stride, Kieran said begrudgingly, “Own up on New Year’s Eve.”
Gwendolyn heaved a sigh of relief. Sounds like Asher doesn’t know yet.
Placating her racing heart, she was thankful that her legs would remain functional for another two days.
Noticing it all, Cedrick took her hand. “Are you that afraid of Asher?”
“He will blow his lid if he finds out. This isn’t some small matter, either. He will never forgive me, much less you.”

Cedrick stroked her hair and pulled her close to him. “Don’t worry. Nobody will harm a hair on your head with me around.”
“Don’t bother acting tough. Your fate will be worse than mine.” Gwendolyn’s brows creased. Her expression was taut with
unease. “It can’t let it come to that. I’ll think of something to help Asher get over it as quickly as possible.”
At long last, New Year’s Eve finally arrived.
That noon, Gwendolyn, Cedrick, and Nico went to Valentino’s house for lunch.
Later that day at night, Cedrick prepared some exquisitely boxed gifts and, together with Gwendolyn, ascended Mount Tranquil
straight up to Marcus’ villa at the peak.
It was lively in the villa.
Lorelai, Asher, Sienna, Kieran, and Treyton were there.
Cedrick did not have a mask on this time when he arrived at the Harris residence with Gwendolyn. Thus, Lorelai was struck
dumb when she saw him.
“You’re so handsome, Mr. Jenson! It appears that the rumors are false!”
Cedrick remained willfully silent.
With a sneer, Gwendolyn cast Lorelai a scathing look. “Of course, the rumors do not hold a candle against the real thing. Those
feeding off the rumors must be feeling awful now that they see Ceddy’s face, I’m sure.”
Lorelai shot her stepdaughter a fierce glare. She did feel awful, as though she had swallowed ten lemons in a row. Her chest was
heaving as though it was going to explode.
As it was New Year’s Eve, Marcus had warned Lorelai ahead of time to behave herself as Gwendolyn, her fiancé, and her
brothers were coming home, and that she would not win an argument against Gwendolyn.
At the unpleasant reminder, Lorelai scoffed imperiously, rolled her eyes, and turned to leave.
Gwendolyn did not deign to spare the woman another glance. Instead, she dragged Cedrick into the villa.
Upon crossing the threshold, Sienna dragged Gwendolyn over to do some crafts while Treyton marched Cedrick out to light
some fireworks.

As it was a day for family, Marcus gave the servants the night off; even the chef was heading home after preparing dinner. Thus,
they had to light the fireworks themselves.
The deafening blasts went on for a long time. The air in the villa was thick with anticipation for the new year.
Throughout the meal, however, the dinner table was silent. Though they were all in excellent spirits, they appeared to be
preoccupied with their own thoughts.
Gwendolyn cleared her throat.
Cedrick set his spoon down at once. Wiping his lips elegantly with a napkin, he broke the silence.
“Aside from coming with Gwenny for dinner, Mr. Marcus, I actually have something important to share with you all.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Gwendolyn tightened her grip around her cutlery and glanced at Asher.
She noticed that his brows were deeply furrowed as if he was absorbed in something else.
It was so quiet that only the crisp clattering of cutlery could be heard.
With a solemn look, Cedrick continued, “Gwenny is seven weeks pregnant with twins. We were planning to announce it in three
months’ time, but since we are all family, we would like to take advantage of the happy occasion to share this wonderful news.”
Marcus and Sienna were delighted by the news, while Lorelai was shocked and dismayed. She stared at Gwendolyn’s belly with
a look of jealous resentment.
Meanwhile, Kieran was impassive, for he had already known several days prior.
Treyton, on the other hand, nervously gulped some soup and glanced at his eldest brother. He, too, had been informed by
Gwendolyn ahead of time via a text message.
Out of all of the different reactions, however, Asher’s was the biggest.
His fork fell to the table with a clatter, his severe gaze filled with shock and rage.
A sudden, deafening bang sounded. Gwendolyn, who was already feeling guilty, shuddered at the noise and buried her face in
her hands. Cedrick pulled her into his arms and comforted her.

“Are you really pregnant?” Asher gnashed his teeth and fixed his glare on Gwendolyn in Cedrick’s arms. “What did you promise
me, Gwendolyn? Is this your answer to my question?”
Marcus cleared his throat. His stentorian voice drew the spotlight back to him.
“This is a joyous occasion indeed. I will have a grandchild in my arms in a matter of months! Well done, Honey! Asher, on the
other hand, can’t even get Sienna pregnant after all this time. You are the one who deserves to be told off!”
Sienna flushed crimson and hung her head in embarrassment.
Asher did not say much else as he could not confront Gwendolyn in front of their father.
After subduing his eldest son, Marcus turned to regard Kieran and Treyton. “And you two. Still no wives! When can hold my
grandchildren? You two aren’t even trying.”
The brothers hung their heads and continued eating in silence.
Kieran had never planned to have a relationship. Cool and impassive, he did not let the admonishment bother him.
Meanwhile, Treyton had fought with Marcus over the matter of getting engaged to Eloise so hard that he still could not reason
any matter with his father. Moreover, the party celebrating the Newton family reuniting with Jennifer would only be had later that
year.
He decided to wait until the Newton family announced Jennifer’s identity before finding a way to appeal to Marcus for help in
setting the engagement.
All of them seated at the table were preoccupied with their own problems.
In the ensuing silence, Cedrick turned to Marcus and continued, “I’m thinking of getting registered with Gwenny after New Year’s
Day and bringing the wedding forward. The pregnancy, on the other hand, will be announced after the wedding.”
“Um... It’s indeed time to think about your wedding, but would it be too rushed to bring your wedding forward to sometime after
New Year’s?”
Cedrick gave Gwendolyn’s hand a squeeze under the table. Though his scorching gaze was fixed on her, he was addressing
Marcus with his words.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Marcus. I will concentrate all of my efforts on the wedding in the meantime, and not just because of the
pregnancy. Instead, as we have rushed into the decision to get married, I will give Gwenny the best wedding I can.”
Marcus smiled proudly. “In that case, then—”
“I object,” a severe voice interrupted before he could finish.