The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

It was an order.

There was no room for negotiation or discussion.

No matter how hard I try, she won’t accept me again. Does she truly want to draw a line between us so badly? So,

she’s genuinely determined to become strangers with me for the rest of our lives?

Maverick’s dark eyes welled up with tears as his eyelashes trembled slightly.

His eyes had long since lost the ferocity and hostility that once possessed them.

Excruciating pain washed over him as though his heart was being ruthlessly kneaded and smushed.

His pale, handsome face had a fragility that couldn’t be concealed.

Gwendolyn noticed his expression.

However, there wasn’t even the slightest change in the indifference on her face as she raised her hand, which was

holding the documents, by an inch.

Maverick, who was incredibly torn, held his breath while taking the document with shaking hands.

As Gwendolyn turned around to reach for the pen on the coffee table, she heard a ripping sound behind her.

The man’s dark eyes were cold and ruthless as he once again tore the document to shreds without hesitation.

This time, he even threw the torn document directly above her head, acting utterly outrageous.

Snow-white scraps of paper fell onto her head.

Is he provoking me?

Gwendolyn was truly furious.

Rage surged, boiled, and roared up from the pit of her stomach, flaring to the top of her head.

“Do you have a death wish?” she asked through gritted teeth.

Yet, the man across from her showed no signs of backing down. Maverick’s deep, dark pupils were incredibly

gloomy as their eyes met.

Skillfully, he slid his well-defined hand to his waist and unbuckled his belt, motioning to pull it out.

Gwendolyn stood still. “What are you doing?”

Is he going to hit me because he’s infuriated? Hah. Does he really think he’s strong enough to defeat me now?

She waited for him to make a move while glowering at him and discreetly gritting her teeth.

To her surprise, Maverick folded his belt in half and placed it in her hand forcefully.

His broad back was remarkably straight, and he was dressed in nothing but a thin, white shirt as he turned around

and knelt on one knee.

“I will not obey this order. You can punish me if you want to. Whip me! Whip me until your anger is subdued!” he

declared.

Gwendolyn was dumbfounded.

What the heck is happening?

Her pent-up rage, which was on the verge of erupting, suddenly turned into an exasperated laugh.

“Are you out of your mind? Is this one of your fetishes? Are you a freaking masochist?”

Maverick bit his lower lip tightly, his eyes a little red.

He was definitely not a masochist.

Even though he had previously experienced hardships and injuries in the army, he was still afraid of pain.

However, he didn’t want to lose her or grow distant from her, for that would make him feel even worse and more

suffocated.

“I’m doing all of this for you! I’ve been working extremely hard to pay back the debt I owe you, not because I want

us to go our separate ways but because I hope you can give me a chance to start over. I genuinely like you a lot!”

Cough! Cough!

Maverick had spoken too much at once, and his throat was dry and scratchy. His shoulders shook as he coughed,

but his back was still straight.

“You like me?” Gwendolyn pursed her red lips and looked down at him in silence for a while.

Her eyes were as deep and still as deathly silence, and her tone was cold and emotionless as she said, “Your

confession is three years too late. I don’t need it anymore. That ship has sailed. You want us to start over?

Impossible.”

Maverick’s breath was caught. “I’m sorry…”

He decided to give up and accept his fate as he clenched his fists firmly, closed his eyes, and sniffled. “Go ahead

and whip me, then. There’s no way I’m signing that, no matter what.”

Gwendolyn frowned upon hearing that. “Have you lost your mind due to the fever? How many hits can your frail

body actually take if I were to strike you hard, especially when you’ve only just recovered?”

She still remembers that I’ve just recovered from a fever…

The man’s obsidian-like eyes began to fill with even more tears as he felt ill at ease and aggrieved.

He craned his neck and asserted, “I’ll endure it until you’re no longer mad.”

Hah. Let’s see how stubborn you can be since you’re the one who’s asking for a beating.

Gwendolyn gripped both ends of the folded belt, and with a sudden jerk, it snapped straight, making a crisp sound.

Maverick didn’t budge as he clenched his teeth and braced himself for the pain that could come at any moment.

Suddenly feeling like teasing him when she saw his pitiful appearance, the woman smirked slyly and remarked,

“Getting whipped while wearing a shirt isn’t much fun. You’ll have to buy a new one if it’s torn. Besides, the pain is

less intense with a layer of fabric in between, right?”

He swallowed hard and got to work immediately, deftly undoing the thin shirt’s buttons, removing it, and tossing it

onto the coffee table in an elegant and carefree manner.

With that, he maintained his posture without moving and waited for her to make a move.

Gwendolyn was in no hurry; she stood quietly behind him and admired the view for some time.

Although he had been injected with a special drug, it didn’t have any effect on his physique. In fact, it made his skin

two shades lighter, making him even more attractive.

Additionally, his back muscles were naturally broad, and the lines and contours were flawless.

Simply taking a glance was quite a feast for the eyes.

Gwendolyn took a moment to take in the view before gently tracing each muscle on his back with the folded tip of

the belt.

She took her time, being exceedingly patient.

Maverick couldn’t help but quiver. She’s clearly teasing me intentionally!

Her actions made him feel a bit parched and unbearably itchy.

Just as he was getting fairly overwhelmed by the teasing, Gwendolyn loosened the end of the belt and gripped the

metal clasp.

Then, she lifted it high in the air, wielded it like a whip, and swung it with all her strength.

Whoosh!

A gust of wind whistled as the belt approached the man.

Maverick shut his eyes tightly, and his whole body shuddered almost reflexively.

However, it didn’t hurt.

Gwendolyn had whipped the marble floor instead.

She threw the belt away and scoffed, “Coward!”

I thought he was tough, but he still ended up trembling. Even if he’s a masochist, I’m not an unreasonable maniac.

“Put on your clothes. Since you won’t sign it, stay here, then. Stay until you’re willing to sign.” She turned her head

and was about to leave after saying that icily.

In a trice, Maverick got to his feet, turned around, and grabbed her wrist. “It’s already nighttime. Where are you

going?”

“I’m not happy living here, so I’ll find another place to stay.”

Her tone sounded nonchalant, but her words were heartless and stony.

He tightened the grip around her wrist, refusing to let go.

From what she’s implying, she doesn’t plan on returning to Bay Villa and intends to dump me alone. So, she’s gonna

give me the cold shoulder until I sign that document?

“Let go.” Gwendolyn frowned and showed no mercy as she pried his hand open.

Maverick’s breath hitched, but he ultimately gave in.

“Give me one year! You cooked for me for three years when we were married. I’ll repay you by cooking for you for

a year and leave on my own after paying off all my debt. I won’t bother you again. How does that sound?”

“Really? You’ll leave me alone forever?” she asked to confirm.

His breathing stilled, and a bitter smile spread across his pale, handsome face. “Yes, you have my word.”

“All right.” She raised her eyebrows and recorded his promise on her phone. “I hope you’ll remember what you’ve

said.”

With a weary expression, he nodded, his deep and weak dark eyes seemingly in a trance.

It was a while later before he spoke again. “Dinner is still warm. Would you like to have some?”

Gwendolyn didn’t refuse either. She would adhere to the agreement and do what needed to be done since this was

the last year.

Maverick’s cooking skills had improved significantly, so Gwendolyn ate heartily. Afterward, she took care of some

work in the study before going back to her room to take a bath and rest.

The next morning, she went to work at Angle as usual.

Unfortunately, a group of solemn-looking uniformed police officers approached her before she could leave Bay

Villa’s gates.

The head police officer showed her his identification.

“Good day, Ms. Shalders. I’m Matthew Scott, the commander of the public security division at Fairlake Police

Station. You’ve been charged with trespassing, intentional assault, and malicious damage. Please come with us to

the station.”