The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

The more Jasmine thought about it, the more she felt bad for Whitney. She patted the back of Whitney’s hand. “If

you aren’t brave enough to go against my brother for bullying you, let me know. I’ll do it for you, Whitney.”

Whitney chuckled and held Jasmine’s hand. I’m happy to have a cute sister-in-law like Jasmine. “Even if I tell you, do

you have the courage to help me punish him? He’s the head of the Newton family. He has the final say on

everything that happens in the family.”

Jasmine’s anger was deflated. Charles isn’t as fearsome as Craig, and he never punished me. However, if I push

him too hard, he won’t forgive me that easily. That much I’m certain of.

“I’m sorry. I don’t.”

Whitney smiled and touched Jasmine’s face. “It’s all right. I was just saying. Charles didn’t bully me, really…”

Jasmine remained unconvinced. “Don’t keep it all in, Whitney. It breaks my heart to see you suffer. You’re a part of

the family, too. You shouldn’t be mistreated.”

Whitney was touched. I’m glad Jasmine treats me like family and genuinely cares for me. What Charles did to me

suddenly doesn’t matter as much anymore.

Holding back her tears, Whitney changed the topic. “I’m hungry. Bring the oatmeal, Jasmine. I want to eat

something.”

“Sure.” Jasmine quickly did as Whitney asked. “Be careful. It’s hot.”

Jasmine didn’t stop talking while Whitney was eating. “I think Charles has gone to work already, Whitney. If you did

p*ss him off, I don’t think he has calmed down yet. He was still wearing a scowl when he left.”

Whitney pursed her lips. “Then I’ll… find an opportunity to apologize to him.”

“You don’t have to be so nice to him. Don’t apologize to him. Just let him stay angry. I want to see how long he can

give his newly-wedded wife the cold shoulder,” Jasmine said huffily. Then, she helped cover Whitney with a blanket.

“I’ll ask the driver to drive you to work and pick you up during off hours for the time being.”

“It’s all right. I don’t think I’ll repeat such an amateurish mistake like I did last—crap!”

Suddenly, Whitney remembered that she still needed to go to work.

She looked at her watch. There are only fifteen minutes left! I’m going to be late!

She placed the unfinished bowl of oatmeal on the bedside table and made to get out of bed.

Jasmine quickly stopped her. “What’s the matter, Whitney?”

“I’m going to be late for work,” replied Whitney anxiously. My superior praised me for my performance and learning

progress just yesterday. It won’t be nice if I’m late today.

“Nah, before Charles left, he said you should take a good rest today. He has asked Isaac to help you apply for a

leave.”

“My superior agreed to that?”

Jasmine giggled impishly. “Why, of course.” She shoved the bowl of oatmeal back into Whitney’s hands. “Eat and

then rest for a day. It’s normal for people to get sick. No one will berate you for that.”

Hearing that, Whitney continued to eat her oatmeal obediently.

Meanwhile, Benedict’s renovation plan for the oceanarium was complete.

Charles, who was cleaning the laboratory restroom, was summoned by Benedict for the first time.

“Here, take a look and tell me if you have any objections,” said the boy as he handed the A4 paper to Charles.

Benedict had asked the professor in the laboratory to type and print out what he had written on a piece of paper so

it would be easier for Charles to read it.

“You want to build a giant fish tank column in the lobby of the oceanarium to house immortal jellyfish?”

“Yep.” Benedict lifted his chin arrogantly.

Charles flashed a faint smile. “No problem. Immortal jellyfish are quite pleasant to the eye. You’re quite creative,

Benny.”

Despite being praised, Benedict scoffed, “Don’t celebrate too early. I’m not a saint.”

Charles was aware of how ruthless the boy was. He sure has mastered his father’s skills. I’ll have to treat his plan

more seriously.

“You want to convert the left half of the oceanarium to a small man-made glacier and glacial lake to house

penguins, crocodiles, and polar bears?” The edges of his lips twitched as he stared at Benedict.

The boy nodded with certainty.

With no other choice, Charles explained gently, “Polar bears aren’t sea creatures, Benny. It’s not a good idea to

have one in the oceanarium. Also, crocodiles can only survive in temperatures around twenty degrees Celsius. A

glacier will be too cold for them to survive. And penguins are the most defenseless of the three. They’ll be eaten in

days if they share a space with the polar bears.”

Benedict knitted his eyebrows. “It’s your responsibility to fulfill my request and ensure they survive. You said the

oceanarium is mine and that you’ll pay for whatever I want to do with it. Are you trying to go back on your word?”

Unable to refute the boy, Charles nodded. “Very well. I’ll do my best to remodel the oceanarium.”

Benedict was satisfied to hear that. “That’s more like it. Keep reading.”

Charles inhaled deeply and continued reading the content of the paper.

“You want to change the shark tank in the oceanarium to a blue whale tank?” That line almost gave him a heart

attack. “The shark tank may be huge, but there’s no way to expand it for a blue whale. Setting aside the fact that

the blue whale is massive, no aquarium in the world has ever managed to house one. Even if I could buy one at a

high price, it’d be difficult to transport it from the sea to Salinsburgh and downright impossible to put it in an

oceanarium.” He then softened his tone and asked, “How about another whale species instead? There are many

types, and they’re all quite interesting.”

Benedict shook his head. “The blue whale is the only one I want. You have my plan. It’s up to you how to execute

it.” He rolled his eyes and snorted. “I still remember you told me you’d pluck the stars out of the sky if I asked for

them two days ago. Now, you’re telling me you can’t even put a blue whale in the oceanarium. What a big talker.”

Charles sighed, feeling deflated. “Fine. I’ll do my best to complete your plan.”

“I don’t want you to do your best. I want you to make it happen.” Benedict raised his head, staring at the IV bottle

beside his bed. “I should be studying in the kindergarten with Zendaya and my peers right now, Charles. However,

because of the awful thing you did in the past, I’m stuck in this laboratory.” Lowering his head, he stared at the

needle jabbed in the back of his hand. “I’ve lost track of the needle holes I received on my bruised hands over the

years. If my hands can’t be stabbed with any more needles, they’ll have to go to my arms and elbows instead. I’ve

already gotten used to the drip. And because I carry a little bit of the virus inside my body, I can’t run around

outside like Zendaya all day. I’ll be out of breath after only playing for half a day. This is all your fault.”

Despite the boy’s nonchalant tone, every word he uttered punctured a hole in Charles’ heart.

Charles felt his heart ached terribly as guilt overwhelmed him.

He paled, his eyes reddened, and he dared not breathe.