The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Everyone directed their gazes at Asher, who had voiced his opposition to the marriage.

He uttered solemnly, “Cedrick, don’t think we will marry her off easily just because you got her pregnant. Even if

she never gets married and gives birth to these two children, the Harris family will support them for a lifetime.”

Marcus’ face darkened as he shouted, “Enough!” “Dad, although you are the ultimate decision-maker, I have to

remind you that ever since Mom passed away, I have been the one rearing Kiddo like a mother. Regarding her

marriage, I hope you can discuss it with me.”

In that aspect, only Asher was capable of controlling Gwendolyn.

Marcus did not agree with him, but he did not directly refuse either. “Let’s eat first. After dinner, you can all have a

proper discussion,” was all he said in the end.

“All right,” Asher replied.

The sound of cutleries clanking against each other resumed as they began eating New Year’s Eve dinner in silence.

After the meal, Lorelai took Marcus upstairs to watch the countdown celebration, leaving Asher, Sienna, Kieran,

Treyton, Cedrick, and Gwendolyn in the living room.

Gwendolyn knew Asher was still angry, so she dared not sit down and stood obediently on the side. Cedrick also did

not take a seat, standing with her.

Asher sat in the middle of the couch, maintaining an upright posture. A terrifying aura enveloped him.

Sienna sat beside him while Treyton and Kieran sat on separate couches on either side.

There was a chilling atmosphere in the air, reminiscent of a trial in a courtroom.

Gwendolyn anxiously lowered her head, feeling suffocated under the tension. Cedrick clutched her sweaty palm to

give her a sense of security while urging her to relax.

A few more minutes passed, and Asher began to speak sinisterly. “Gwendolyn, well done! You have decided to give

me a huge surprise during the holidays. Do you want me to break your arm or leg? Choose one for yourself.”

Alarmed by the threat, Gwendolyn felt her heart skip a beat. Before she could speak, however, Treyton stood up for

her. “Asher, we must be careful with her for the first few months. No hitting is allowed. Plus, she’s carrying twins!”

Kieran chimed in, “Cedrick should take full responsibility. Break his legs first before anything else.”

Sienna nodded in agreement.

Asher glared at Cedrick in annoyance but did not immediately pass judgment on him. Instead, he looked at

Gwendolyn again.

“Let’s continue to settle the scores. You acted without permission, played tricks, and deliberately chose to bring this

up on New Year’s Eve. You thought I wouldn’t be able to do anything to you when Dad is present, didn’t you?” he

said.

Gwendolyn bit her lip and lowered her head even further.

Just then, Treyton interrupted once again, disrupting the solemn atmosphere. “Asher, she’s carrying twins!”

Annoyed by his disruption, Asher gave him a fierce glare and retorted, “I know! If you interrupt again, I’ll deal with

you first!”

Treyton immediately shut his mouth and stayed silent.

Asher scrutinized his two younger brothers, and realization dawned on him. “The two of you didn’t show much of a

reaction at the dining table earlier, so you already knew about it beforehand, it seems? To think I was the only one

kept in the dark. Gwendolyn, how do you want to settle this?”

Despite being silent, Treyton, who was seated on the adjacent couch, extended two fingers and gestured them at

Asher.

It was a silent reminder that their sister was pregnant with twins.

His triumphant yet provocative gesture successfully ignited another wave of fury in Asher.

However, his anger was directed at Treyton.

Before Treyton could put down his hand, Asher fiercely kicked him and yelled, “It’s been a long time since you’ve

been hit. Is that why you’re itching for a beating, huh?”

“Ouch!”

Treyton let out a soft hiss, painfully rubbing his knee that was kicked. Beads of cold sweat even started to form on

his forehead.

He turned to Gwendolyn and said, “Kiddo, I endured the first wave of Marcus’ anger for you. I have already tried

my best to help you!”

Gwendolyn gazed at him gratefully. “Thank you, Treyton, for helping me! But please don’t say anything anymore.

I’m afraid Asher will beat you to a pulp first!”

With that, Treyton lapsed into silence.

A shiver ran down his spine as he discreetly receded into the background.

Sienna chuckled and joined in to persuade Asher. “Hubby, since this has already happened, what’s the point of

holding Gwen accountable now? You’re just concerned about Cedrick and still harbor some resentment toward him.

How about you come up with a way to teach him a proper lesson instead? What do you think?”

Gwendolyn could not help but panic.

Why does Sienna have the same thought as Kieran? They both want to teach Cedrick a lesson… I thought

convincing Kieran to let Cedrick off would be the only challenge, but as it stands, I have to convince all three of

them. Considering how wicked my brothers can be, Cedrick is definitely going to be tortured horribly by them!

While her mind was riddled with anxious thoughts, Cedrick stepped forward and declared calmly, “I’m willing to

accept any punishment from the three of you, including the punishment meant for Gwenny. I’ll take them all.”

“No, Ceddy!” The combined punishment from the three of them is much more terrifying than you can imagine!

Asher raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly. “All right, you agreed to this. If you can pass the test, I’ll agree to your

marriage with Gwendolyn after the New Year.”

Cedrick quirked the corners of his lips into a smile as he met Asher’s gaze. “It’s a deal.”

Meanwhile, Gwendolyn was feeling exasperated. So now I have no say in the matter? Couldn’t they at least

consider the opinion of a pregnant woman?

The gazes of the four men in the living room were laden with an air of threat and hostility.

Asher smirked and said, “Today is New Year’s Eve. It’s a festive occasion, so let’s do it today! If you can walk back to

the Jenson residence tonight without assistance, then you’ve passed the test!

A slight smile remained plastered on Cedrick’s composed countenance. “Sure.”

However, Gwendolyn was seized by fear because of her oldest brother’s words. “Asher, you are deliberately trying

to intimidate him, right? Please take it easy! Don’t push him too hard and risk destroying him. The happiness of my

future lies in your hands!”

Unfortunately, Asher remained silent. His expression was solemn, indicating that he was not joking.

That time around, Kieran, usually the quietest of them all, spoke up. “Since it’s New Year’s Eve, we can’t neglect the

tradition of toasting. Let’s begin by raising three glasses.”

Cedrick’s back stiffened slightly as a vague sense of foreboding arose within him.

Following Kieran, Treyton hurried to the kitchen to prepare the “toasts” for Cedrick. As he limped past his future

brother-in-law, he patted his broad shoulder meaningfully.

After they disappeared from view, Asher’s previously stern countenance softened, and he motioned toward the

couch nearby with his gaze. “Take a seat. Tonight, your chances of resting will be few and far between, so seize this

opportunity.”

Confronted with the unknown challenges that awaited him, Cedrick harbored little confidence and obediently took a

seat.

Sienna stood up and pulled Gwendolyn to sit beside her so that she could whisper words of comfort.

“Don’t worry; your brothers will know the limits. Since Cedrick is determined to marry you, he must endure this trial

and understand the strength and ruthlessness of your family! In this way, he won’t dare to mistreat you in the

future!”

Gwendolyn was speechless.

Although she knew her brothers had good intentions, she still felt sorry for Cedrick.

Soon, silence descended upon the entire living room. Suddenly, one of the bodyguards entered and said, “Mr.

Asher, there’s a young woman outside, and xo.com fast updateshe has been lingering near the entrance for a

while. I’m not sure if she’s a guest.”

“A young woman? What does she look like?” Gwendolyn was the first to react.

“She’s very beautiful, well-dressed, almost like a celebrity,” the bodyguard described.

Gwendolyn could guess the woman’s identity. Hence, she said, “It should be Jennifer. Treyton probably invited her

over.”

She glanced in the direction of the kitchen and saw that Treyton was still busy preparing the drinks. “Never mind. I’ll

bring her in.”

Asher showed no objection. When Cedrick asked Gwendolyn to stay safe, she looked at him worriedly before

heading outside to receive Jennifer.

As she reached the entrance, from afar, she saw the young woman peering at the villa.

However, when Gwendolyn recognized the latter’s features, her eyes widened in disbelief. She had to confirm

multiple times before approaching and questioning her, “Why are you here?”