The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Chapter 587 Spare The Rod And Spoil The Child

Gwendolyn said, “Don’t make a big deal out of it. Regardless of what tricks Annie and Paul have up their sleeves,

we’re in Chanacan territory now. They won’t be too brazen on foreign soil.”

Cedrick remained unconvinced. He offered, “I’ll ask Nico to stand guard with some men along the coast. They can

immediately travel to Summerbank Island and help you if something happens.”

Gwendolyn thought the proposed arrangement was more appropriate and nodded in agreement. She turned

around and cupped his face, brushing his lips with a gentle kiss.

“That’s a good plan, Hubby.”

Cedrick used the chance to wrap his arm around her waist. His tone deepened as he asked, “Will you give me a

reward for that, Darling?”

“What do you have in mind?”

He replied by poking her waist with his fingers. The implications were clear.

Gwendolyn was immediately disgruntled. They had already spent a passionate night together yesterday after

several days apart.

Her muscles were still aching from their intense session last night, and she did not wish to torment herself further.

She jabbed his head with a finger and chided, “Stop playing around. Wasn’t last night enough for you? You’re

seldom home, so you should use this time to check on the babies. Spend some time with Benny and Zendy. Don’t

forget that Grandpa’s sick too. You’ve got plenty of people to visit.”

Cedrick hid his disappointment. He could not argue against visiting Valentino or his children.

The fridge at Harrick Villa was looking relatively empty after a few days of vacancy.

Gwendolyn found it too troublesome to stock up on fresh ingredients and decided to visit Valentino’s villa for a free

meal instead.

Benedict and Zendaya had visibly grown taller in just a few days.

Cedrick lifted his daughter and felt as though she had grown heavier. They were clearly well taken care of in

Valentino’s household.

Alas, Zendaya appeared to have forgotten him after a few days. She scrunched her brows in confusion and cried,

looking distressed.

Cedrick frowned and struggled to coax her into calming down.

Eventually, Gwendolyn stepped in and lifted Zendaya from his arms. She clucked her tongue at him and teased,

“See. Zendaya doesn’t want to acknowledge you as her dad because you hardly visit the children. You better step

up; your position as their father is hanging by a thread.”

Stubbornly, Cedrick picked up Benedict from the other cradle as if to prove Gwendolyn wrong.

The young boy was still smiling a second ago. When he turned to stare at Cedrick, something flitted through his

bright gaze, and he soon followed his sister’s example, letting rip an even louder cry.

Cedrick was speechless at the children’s display. Maybe I should just leave if they’re both offended by me.

He was far less patient toward his son than his daughter, and he said sternly to Benedict, “Stop crying! How could

you not recognize your own father? Once you’re older, I’m packing you off to endure the grueling military training

at the Federal Bureau of Investigation!”

Benedict’s cries grew louder as if he had understood his father’s threats. His tears flowed freely as his anguished

wails went on and on.

“Stop it, or I’ll spank you!” Cedrick growled.

Gwendolyn was getting angrier by the second. She carefully returned Zendaya to her cradle and took the crying

Benedict away from her husband.

She admonished him, “Can’t you be more patient? Your son isn’t your enemy, you know. He’s still a baby.

Threatening him with military training and spanking? Are you itching for a beating yourself?”

Frustration washed over Cedrick, who whined, “You whipped me viciously during two of your manic episodes. I can

still remember how painful it was. Can you really bear to hit me, Gwenny?”

He had pulled out the big guns.

Gwendolyn felt a lump in her throat. She was caught in a dilemma.

The mere mention of her manic episodes overwhelmed her with guilt. Of course, she could never bear to hit him;

she merely wanted to scare him with empty threats.

Cedrick put her out of her misery and extended an olive branch by kissing her cheek.

He said, “I know you would never hit me, Gwenny; you don’t want me to be in pain. It’s the same for me. Benny’s

still a baby. I was only teasing him.”

Gwendolyn returned his kiss and asked, “When he’s older, will you really send him to the Federal Bureau of

Investigation?”

He nodded earnestly and explained. “Boys shouldn’t be spoiled. It’s good for them to face some hardships. Besides,

he’s lucky to receive training at the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a boy.”

She remained silent. If he had carefully thought things over, she would not protest Cedrick’s decision.

Spare the rod and spoil the child. Gwendolyn agreed wholeheartedly with that age–old adage, which was why she

knew where Cedrick was coming from.

They were rapidly approaching the agreed–upon date to detain Annie. Alas, Cedrick was summoned to the Federal

Bureau of Investigation to solve a serial murder case, which had dominated the headlines in Salinsburgh.

It coincided with the day they planned to travel to Summerbank Island to seize Annie. Thus, Cedrick failed to make

time to accompany Gwendolyn.

He was infuriated when he received the news. However, given the gravity of the case and his position as the leader

of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he needed to join the investigation efforts and reassure the public.

Gwendolyn comforted him, “It’s okay. Your work is important. Going to the island to detain Annie is a simple

matter.”

“I’m worried because I can’t be with you,” replied Cedrick somberly.

She said, “Everything will be fine. Even if you overlook my background in jiu–jitsu, Annie’s stick–like limbs are no

match for me. You’re even sending Nico and some backup to stand guard along the coast. Nothing will happen to

me.”

Since he could not play hooky on official business, Cedrick could only encourage himself to be more optimistic

about the situation.

“Don’t try to shoulder everything yourself, Gwenny. Call me if anything happens, or ask Nico to help you. Please

don’t get yourself injured.”

Gwendolyn nodded reassuringly.

After their conversation, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

To prevent herself from becoming bedridden from a manic episode, Gwendolyn had pre–emptively received an

intravenous infusion at the lab to improve the efficacy of her medication.

Perhaps she had also received a visit from lady luck herself, for Gwendolyn did not relapse that night, and the

couple enjoyed a peaceful slumber.

Cedrick left Harrick Villa earlier for business, so the house was empty by the time Gwendolyn awoke. The silence

was even more obvious in the basement where Gwendolyn slept.

She switched on the lights and habitually reached out for her phone.

To her surprise, she found a pink Post–it on her phone.

She plucked the note off her phone and read it carefully.

Cedrick’s familiar handwriting read: I made breakfast for you, Gwenny. There’s shrimp and cheddar oatmeal and

shallot pasta. Make sure you eat before you head out.

Gwendolyn’s heart warmed at the thought of her husband’s considerate gestures. He made breakfast for me even

though he had to leave much earlier than me. How much sleep did he get? What time did he wake up?

She left the basement and headed to the kitchen. As promised in the note, there was a pot of warm shrimp and

cheddar oatmeal sitting on the stove.

The delicious aroma of shallot pasta made her mouth water.

She opened the cabinet and found another Post–it next to the bowls.

Don’t wash the bowls after breakfast. I’ll deal with them tonight. I also washed and cut some fruits for you. They’re

on the dining table. Remember to finish those. You need to boost your vitamin intake.

Gwendolyn’s lips curved into a smile. She kissed the Post–it lovingly.

After breakfast, she changed into some light clothing. Nico was already waiting for her outside Harrick

Villa

They left the house and set off for Summerbank Island.

The Harris residence on Mount Tranquil immediately received word of Gwendolyn’s journey to the island.

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Gwendolyn had not informed Asher or Sienna about her plan to get Annie from Summerbank Island.

However, Asher received a text from an unknown number about the news. He had had the number investigated

several days ago, and the content of the texts sounded like something that Annie would have written.

Before Asher could leave, Sienna stopped him and asked, “Gwen can handle this herself. Why are you going there?

To convince her to let Annie off the hook? To give Gwen trouble?”

Asher was perplexed by her line of questioning, “What are you saying, Darling? Gwendolyn is my sister; of course,

I’d side with her.”

Sienna merely sighed and said, “Your relationship with Gwen is extremely awkward. I’m just worried that your

presence will complicate the situation.”

Asher’s voice was hoarse even as he explained his decision rationally, “Kiddo only brought Nico and some of his

men to the meeting today. Cedrick’s tied up in official matters and can’t go with her. There’s something fishy about

the situation. Plus, Evelyn was the one who shared the news with me. Everything she does has a purpose. I have to

go if Cedrick’s not with Kiddo. It’s too dangerous otherwise.”

His explanation finally convinced Sienna of his intentions.

“Then, I’ll go with you. I won’t say a single word later. You’re still recovering from your leg injury, so let me support

you.”