Wooing My Ex-Wife

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’s sudden 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 the oceanarium director: No need for
that. When she clears her paycheck, give her the proper compensation per the standard resignation procedure.
The oceanarium director texted back: Mr. Newton, monetary compensation shouldn’t be offered in circumstances like hers where
she submitted the resignation letter on her own and with the resignation statement 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 to the 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 message popped 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 and come 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 eyes was 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. Please don’t turn me down. We’ll
just be having a meal. My dad gave me a stern scolding after I returned home yesterday. I sincerely apologize to you for my
previous misconduct, Mr. Newton. Can you give me 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 text message notification.

His display of gentlemanly demeanor was contingent upon the person he was conversing with. In the past, he reserved such
behavior solely for Gwendolyn. However, in the presence of anyone else, his civility 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, obscuring his 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 the Cloud 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 scold you! 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 scolding me. She’s actually offering
to treat me to lunch as a token of apology. She even said that if I turned her down, 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. She humiliated you yesterday
and even scolded me. I want to hear her apology before deciding whether or not 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 even helping me save money on
food.”
The little girl flashed him a blinding smile. “That’s because I’m only five years old, so Daddy and Mommy don’t give me much
pocket money. But Uncle Treyton said that I’m the prospective heir of Harris Group, so I’ll be very rich in the future. When the
time comes, I can provide for you until your death, 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 to spend 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 tell Ms. Cloud that I’ll be
choosing the place to eat, but she’ll be paying for it. I’ll choose the most expensive restaurant 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. Upon seeing 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 room waiting for me. You didn’t even
get up when I went in, so I find it strange that you’re willing to stand at the 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. “I was 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 her father’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 crab is their signature dish,
and it’s prepared better than other famous restaurants in Salinsburgh. Try it and see 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.” She pushed 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 and admit your mistake,” he
remarked.
Jessamyn made no effort to hide it. “That’s right. I heard Ms. Zendy calling you ‘Daddy’ yesterday and said those unpleasant
words in the heat of the moment. I hope you and Ms. Zendy won’t hold a grudge against me, Mr. Newton.”
Zendaya sat on Charles’ lap, saying arrogantly, “You called me an illegitimate daughter yesterday and scolded 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 red wine 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. After going back and thinking
about it, I discovered that I really like your personality, Mr. Newton, and I wish to 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 Zendy yesterday. 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 intend to 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 waitress entering 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 in front 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 in surprise, “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 doing here?”