The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Haisley and Laura were taken aback by the sight of Charles dressed in a maid outfit.

They couldn’t help but wonder if he had just returned from a cosplay event.

How else could they explain why a tall and wealthy CEO like him would be wearing such a short, sexy dress?

Nevertheless, they couldn’t deny that he looked stunning in the outfit, despite his muscular physique. His

attractiveness left Haisley and Laura in awe.

Manuel approached them, drawn by the commotion. “What’s happening here? Mr. Newton and I could hear your

arguments from a mile away.”

Haisley quickly got up from the ground, the shoe print from Charles’ kick still visible on her clothes. “Mr. Newton, I

implore you to seek justice on my behalf. She attacked me with a broom when Laura and I went over to check on

her while she was cleaning up the yard. Laura can testify, and the entire incident was captured by the surveillance

cameras.”

Charles remained silent as a storm brewed in his eyes.

Under normal circumstances, the mere sight of his growing anger would have rendered the housekeepers too

fearful to even breathe.

However, Charles’ unconventional appearance, dressed as a beautiful young lady in a wig and maid outfit, seemed

to have altered the usual dynamics of the situation.

Ignoring Haisley, Charles directed his gaze toward Whitney, who stood furthest from them. “What’s your side of the

story?”

Haisley immediately glared at Whitney, sending a clear warning signal for her to choose her words carefully.

Whitney, however, remained unfazed as she replied, “Haisley passed her task of cleaning up the yard to me and

even brought Laura along, intentionally creating a mess. They scattered peanut husks everywhere and disrupted

the pile of dried leaves I had swept. So I used the broom against them, and that’s when you two arrived.”

Whitney held the broom in her hand, standing tall as she recounted the series of events while conveniently omitting

any mention of seeking Charles’ intervention to punish Haisley and Laura.

“She’s making baseless accusations!” Haisley retorted immediately. “I accidentally disturbed the pile of leaves she

had swept, and Laura was simply eating peanuts. It’s normal for a husk or two to drop. You heard her, Mr. Newton.

She was the one who hit me first.”

Laura nodded vigorously. “That’s correct, Mr. Newton. I’ve been working for the Newton family for five years and

have always performed my duties diligently…”

Charles maintained a poker face as he listened intently. Then, in a cold tone, he asked Haisley, “Did you instruct

Whitney to clean up the yard this afternoon?”

“Yes, Mr. Newton. After all, she is a maid employed by the Newton family, so I delegated some tasks to her—”

“Manuel,” Charles interrupted casually. “What is your opinion on this matter?”

Startled, Manuel felt goosebumps rise on his arms.

He knew Charles better than Haisley and Laura, understanding that Charles asked such questions to test his loyalty

and to ascertain if he had been fanning the flames behind his back.

Therefore, Manuel chose to be honest with Charles. “I overheard Haisley and Whitney arguing as we approached.

Haisley and Laura are at fault for causing a scene and making things difficult for Whitney.”

Haisley and Laura turned pale upon hearing this.

Charles sneered and elegantly tucked the strands of wig on his left shoulder behind his back. “According to the

Newtons’ employment contract, how should we handle this situation?”

“For those who stir up trouble, they shall be subjected to the disciplinary measures outlined in the Newton family’s

code, which include being brought into the ancestral hall for ten lashes, performing yard cleanup, and being

dismissed from the Newton residence the following day, forever marked as blacklisted individuals.”

Haisley’s and Laura’s faces were drained of all color when they heard the news of their impending termination.

The Newtons were known for their generous salaries and bonuses for their housekeepers, but they were equally

renowned for their strictness when it came to dismissals. Once blacklisted, it would be impossible for these

individuals to secure employment with another wealthy family in Salinsburgh ever again. Some of the smaller

wealthy families who were trying to get on the Newtons’ good side would even force the housekeepers who had

been fired out of Salinsburgh, making it impossible for them to find a job in the city ever again.

Haisley pleaded, “Mr. Newton, I beseech you to reconsider firing me. I was recommended for this position by Mr.

Carlos, who wishes for me to be considered as one of your potential brides. I implore you to grant me leniency this

time on behalf of Mr. Carlos.”

Charles sneered. “Mr. Carlos holds no influence over my decisions. How dare you try to exert your power simply

because you have someone older backing you? Increase the severity of her offenses twofold. Furthermore,

someone like you is unworthy of being considered as a candidate for my bride.”

As Charles mentioned the topic of marriage, his eyes inadvertently shifted toward Whitney, who stood motionless,

her gaze lowered.

Overwhelmed by fear, Haisley fell to her knees. “Please, Mr. Newton, I beg you not to dismiss me. Give me another

chance. My entire family is here in Salinsburgh. I just paid my rent last month. We will be devastated if I lose my job

now. I implore you to show me mercy, Mr. Newton.”

A faint smile played at the corner of Charles’ lips as he replied, “I have never been known for my kindness.”

He then looked up at Whitney and said deliberately, “You should plead for forgiveness from the person you

mistreated. I may consider sparing you if she is willing.”

Haisley and Laura immediately turned their attention to Whitney, seeing her as their potential savior. Though it

disgusted them to be kneeling before someone they considered beneath them, they had no choice but to seek her

help in order to salvage their positions.

“Whitney, please save me. If I lose this job, I won’t be able to stay in Salinsburgh anymore. It would be a death

sentence for me. Please show me some mercy, I beg of you.”

“I deeply regret bullying you and offending you. I will do whatever you ask of me in the future. I sincerely apologize

to you.”

The two women cried out, humbling themselves and desperately tugging at Whitney’s skirt.

Whitney took a step back to avoid their touch. After much hesitation, she shook her head decisively. “You must face

the consequences of your actions. You were well aware of the repercussions of causing trouble within the Newton

residence, yet you continued to bully me out of jealousy. You should have known better. I accept your apology, but I

will not plead with Mr. Newton to spare you from the consequences.”

Whitney was not foolish enough to keep two conniving women like Haisley and Laura in the Newton residence.

Whitney was not foolish enough to keep two conniving women like Haisley and Laura in the Newton residence.

If she let them off now, they might perceive it as luck and engage in even more ruthless bullying in the future.

People like them need to face the consequences of their actions.

Haisley was stunned, as she never anticipated such a resolute rejection from Whitney.

She couldn’t comprehend why Whitney refused to grant her forgiveness despite her humbling herself to such a low

level.

“You’re so heartless. Are you holding a grudge because I asked you to sweep the floor? Is that why you’re now

pushing me to my doom?”

Whitney remained unperturbed. “Why can’t you survive outside of Salinsburgh? It’s because you are driven by

greed and materialism. You refuse to leave Salinsburgh because it is populated by wealthy individuals. Attempting

to manipulate me into letting you off the hook by using death as a bargaining tool, you are a wicked and foolish

woman. People like you need to learn a lesson; otherwise, you will never change.”

Whitney laid out her reasons in a clear and concise manner.

Charles raised an eyebrow, observing her intently.

He had assumed that Whitney, with her pure nature, would be easily deceived. Hence, he expected her to show

compassion toward Haisley’s plea for mercy. He never anticipated that she would possess the strength to harden

her heart and reject Haisley’s request, defying his perception of her as a kind and gentle woman.

The yard echoed with Laura’s sobs for a prolonged period; while Haisley seethed with anger over Whitney’s refusal

to assist her.

In fact, she felt an overwhelming urge to rush over and tear Whitney apart.

Realizing that Charles had no intention of granting her leniency, Haisley turned to Manuel for support. “Manuel!

Laura and I shouldn’t be the only ones to face punishment. Whitney was the first to use violence, thus instigating

the trouble as well. She should be lashed in the ancestral hall and expelled from the Newton residence! I refuse to

accept my punishment if Mr. Newton doesn’t also punish Whitney.”

Manuel froze, stealing a glance at Charles to gauge his stance.

Charles merely sneered, “What does it matter if you accept your punishment or not? Who the h*ll are you to even

make such statements? Do you think you make the laws here, or is it me, head of the Newton family?”

Haisley pointed at Whitney in a fit of anger. “We are both housekeepers, so you should treat us fairly. If you side

with Whitney, not only will I be upset, but the entire staff in the Newton residence will also be dissatisfied with your

decision.”

Charles burst into maniacal laughter. “Who said she’s just a housekeeper?”

He walked over to Whitney and lifted her in a bridal-style embrace, leaving Whitney in shock.

“Mr. Newton, you…” Whitney was taken aback by his sudden actions.

Charles glanced down at Haisley, who was still on the ground, and said, “I had planned to announce this news

tonight, but it won’t hurt for you two to find out in advance.”

With a solemn expression, he pronounced, “Whitney is not just my housekeeper; she is Mrs. Newton. We signed the

marriage papers a few days ago.”

Everyone in the courtyard, including Manuel, widened their eyes in surprise at that.