The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

His words, however, made the other three men in the room look at him with a new level of respect. Having such

resolve is quite admirable. He’s indeed a rare good man.

At that moment, Cedrick’s mind was only filled with two thoughts, which were to endure the pain and finish copying

Precepts for Men. He didn’t have the time to spare to notice the other three men’s facial expressions.

He took a deep breath, trying his best to get himself accustomed to the prolonged agony.

However, when he started writing, every alphabet was untidy, like little tadpoles wagging their tails.

The room was eerily quiet.

Only the sound of Cedrick’s labored breathing could be heard.

Looking at his trembling hands, Kieran saw Cedrick had finished copying the first line. He reckoned the latter had

adapted to the level seven pain, so he abruptly increased the stimulus to level eight.

The pain in his abdomen intensified without warning, quickly spreading throughout his body.

Cedrick shuddered, shaking more violently now, causing the word he was writing to become crooked.

His quivering right hand could barely hold the pen.

He looked up at Kieran, who sat beside the labor pain machine.

When Kieran met Cedrick’s gaze, mockery filled his eyes again. “Can’t take it anymore, Mr. Jenson? You can still quit

now if you want.”

Asher and Treyton sat quietly at one side. Their eyes darkened in unison. Anyone can boast as they like, but not

everyone can endure the real torment and anguish.

While the brothers were feeling disappointed, Cedrick shook his head and forced the words through his clenched

teeth. “I-I just wanted to ask if you have any requirements for the handwriting. M-My handwriting doesn’t look very

good. I-If it’s not up to par, I-I can rewrite.”

Kieran was slightly taken aback as he stared at Cedrick for some time. Evidently, he didn’t expect the latter to be

trying to ask about that. “No requirements. We only need you to finish copying the precepts.”

It would be an almost impossible task for him to maintain clear and neat handwriting while having to bear with such

agony.

Although Kieran was determined to put Cedrick to the test, he wasn’t inhumane.

Hearing that, Cedrick sighed in relief, bit his lower lip, and continued writing.

His body was drenched in a cold sweat. Sweat gathered on the tip of his nose, dripped onto the paper, and

smudged a few words.

Time ticked by as Treyton observed quietly from the side.

He noticed Cedrick’s hand that was holding a pen was shaking with increasing intensity, making it very difficult for

the latter to write. Feeling sorry for Cedrick, Treyton gazed at Kieran, wanting to help Cedrick plead for mercy.

“Kieran…”

Kieran furrowed his brows and ignored his brother. When he spoke, his words were directed at Cedrick. “When the

pain reaches level ten, you’ll suffer torment equivalent to having twenty ribs broken simultaneously. I’m going to

start increasing the pain now.”

This time, he didn’t augment the pain level without warning like before.

Instead, he gave Cedrick a heads-up to allow him to prepare himself mentally.

When raising the pain level, Kieran also did so very gradually, providing Cedrick with some buffering period.

Nonetheless, when the pain peaked, the anguish felt no different from heart-wrenching pain.

Cedrick scrunched up his facial features, and even his eyebrows trembled badly. The pain coursing through his

entire body caused him to let out a muffled grunt. His consciousness faded a little, and he could no longer

concentrate on his writing. Cedrick also couldn’t grip the pen in his hand any longer.

Meanwhile, in the living room downstairs, Gwendolyn grew impatient and restless from the wait. “Why aren’t they

coming down yet? Has Ceddy been knocked out?”

Sienna comforted her, “That won’t happen. Besides, Kieran is there. You can rest assured. After today, he’ll be able

to marry you with peace of mind. You should have faith in Cedrick and also trust your brothers.”

Gwendolyn could only sigh in resignation.

Sienna hurriedly chatted with her about daily life in an attempt to distract the latter.

The sky outside gradually turned dark, and snow began to fall in the garden.

Gwendolyn glanced at the time. It’s been almost two hours since they went upstairs, yet Cedrick hasn’t come out

yet. Something’s wrong!

Gwendolyn couldn’t stand it anymore.

Disregarding Sienna’s impediment, she dashed upstairs and arrived at the door to Kieran’s room.

Just as she was about to knock on the door, the sound of the door handle turning came from inside, and the door

swung open.

Asher was the first to exit the room.

His broad figure blocked the view inside the room. After he came out, he closed the door behind him. Gwendolyn

tried to peek inside but couldn’t see a thing, so she had to ask him, “Asher, what on earth are you guys doing in

there? Did you hit Ceddy?”

“No,” Asher replied indifferently.

Gwendolyn was confused. “Did he pass the test or not?”

“Have Cedrick meet me at my villa tomorrow to discuss your wedding date after Christmas.”

After saying that calmly, he patted her head and headed downstairs.

Gwendolyn was momentarily dazed before slowly regaining her senses. Cedrick passed the test!

Eyes filled with surprise, she shouted at Asher’s retreating figure, “Thank you, Asher!”

Before she could enter the room to meet with Cedrick, Kieran came out. He wore his usual cold and emotionless

expression, closing the door behind him too.

“Kieran, Asher just agreed to set the wedding date, so don’t tell me Ceddy couldn’t win your approval?”

Kieran didn’t elaborate. He merely handed her a book. “Take a look at this. What do you think of the handwriting?”

Gwendolyn browsed through the content in bafflement. She knitted her delicate brows at the sight of the copy of

the Precepts for Men in messy handwriting.

“This handwriting is so ugly. Did you guys make Cedrick write this?”

Most words on the paper were overly slanted, and many others were blurred. She found the jumble of black words

upsetting to look at.

Kieran chimed in, “I think it’s ugly too.” He pinched Gwendolyn’s face. “Consider this the family rules for Cedrick to

abide by after you get married.” Then, he turned around and left, emitting an extraordinarily aloof vibe.

She thought. Kieran mentioned, “after I get married.” It seems like Ceddy passed the test. Still…

Instantly, Gwendolyn sensed something was amiss. She looked at the writing on the book again before staring at

Kieran’s back and grumbled, “You three are really mean! What did you do to him that made his beautiful

handwriting turn out like this?” Earlier, when Asher settled the score with me downstairs, he said to choose between

breaking a hand or a leg. Don’t tell me they really break Ceddy’s hand.

She grew more concerned for Cedrick’s condition.

Immediately afterward, Treyton came out too.

He patted Gwendolyn’s shoulder with a gratified expression and spoke tersely in his deep voice. “Not bad!” With

that, he swiftly left.

Gwendolyn was puzzled to see Treyton’s brisk strides. She hastily pushed the xo.com fast updatedoor open.

“Gwenny.” Cedrick placed his pale hand on the door frame to support himself.

Shifting her eyes upward from his arms, she immediately met his affectionate yet extremely tired-looking dark

eyes.

Gwendolyn clearly sensed his fragile state, so she hurriedly stepped forward to support him, then turned his palms

over to check his injuries.

However, she realized his palms were perfectly fine, without any traces of swelling or bruises.

“Huh? My brothers didn’t hit your hands? Then why was your handwriting such a mess? How did they torture you?”

“They didn’t torture me.”

Cedrick didn’t explain too much. He merely leaned his pale head on her shoulder languidly, uttering in a coy voice,

“Gwenny, I want to return to Harrick Villa to get some sleep while hugging your slim waist.”