Chapter 444

Craig stared at her with a profound gaze. “How can that be considered selling? I’m just helping you to select a better husband.”

Jennifer looked at him in disbelief. “Craig, we live in an era that advocates freedom of marriage. If the price to regain my status as the daughter of the Newton family is the loss of my freedom and right to make my own decisions, I’d rather stay an orphan my whole life!”

Faced with her vehement objection, Craig quickly softened his tone and pulled her back to his side.

“There, there. This is just a discussion, so there’s no need for you to get so angry. If you insist on disagreeing, I won’t force you.”

Jennifer finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued to accompany him to socialize.

Meanwhile, over at Gwendolyn and Cedrick’s end, under their joint efforts, Harris Group successfully landed a substantial international trade offer as they wished.

They would meet the other party to discuss the contract details the following day.

Cedrick shook hands with Horace on Gwendolyn’s behalf.

“Ms. Harris, I look forward to our future cooperation,” Horace uttered politely in his less-than-fluent Chanaean.

Gwendolyn smiled. “It’s a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Horace.”

After settling that matter, Horace was swiftly whisked away by other guests.

Cedrick and Gwendolyn shared a knowing smile.

He nonchalantly wrapped an arm around her slender waist. “Gwenny, don’t forget the reward you promised me. You can’t stand me up this time no matter what.”

She pursed her lips and nodded earnestly with a smile. “You did well tonight, helping me secure a considerable deal, so I should praise you properly.”

Looking at her exquisite face, Cedrick felt his heart flutter. An urge to carry her back to Harrick Villa and ravage her to his heart’s content washed over him.

After attempting to suppress his burning desire for some time, he still failed to contain himself. He leaned close to Gwendolyn’s ear and whispered, “Darling, how about we slip away early and head back to attend to more pressing matters? We can’t waste this beautiful night entertaining others.”

“That won’t do. We must address matters one by one and cannot skip the process.”

She discreetly pinched his waist without using too much force. Her gesture felt ambiguous, but her eyes showed signs of warning.

“Ceddy, you behave and mingle with the other guests. I’m going to check on Jennifer.”

She patted his sturdy waist teasingly before turning around to leave.

Cedrick sighed inwardly while watching her graceful retreating figure.

“Mr. Jenson?” A soft feminine voice suddenly rang out beside him, disturbing his moment of appreciating Gwendolyn’s gorgeous figure.

He turned around and saw a woman. “What’s the matter?”

The woman, Yelena Dion, was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Cedrick’s tone to be so cold.

“You don’t remember me anymore, Mr. Jenson? I’m Yelena, the third child of the Dion family. Before you joined the military, we even shared a meal.”

Cedrick gave her a cursory glance, noting only her pink chiffon dress and barely registering her looks.

“Oh, okay.”

His dismissive attitude irked Yelena.

“Mr. Jenson, no matter what, we knew each other when we were young. Can’t you spare a moment to chat with me?”

Cedrick gazed down at the wine glass in his hand and replied icily, “I can’t.”

Yelena was rendered speechless.

Gwendolyn, who was planning to look for Jennifer, stopped abruptly in her tracks and turned around to glance in Cedrick’s direction because she thought she heard a girl calling out Cedrick’s name right after she walked away.

Sure enough, she saw an alluring young lady standing in front of Cedrick. I just left his side, and already, his admirers approached him.

A frosty glint flashed across her eyes, and she decisively retraced her steps, ready to reclaim her position as Mrs. Jenson.

Despite being harshly rejected, Yelena remained rooted to her spot, showing no signs of embarrassment. “You’re so cold, Mr. Jenson. I heard that after you became a father, you devoted yourself wholeheartedly to your family. Now, it seems the rumors are indeed true. You’re reserving all your gentleness to only your wife and children.”

Cedrick frowned slightly. He was about to correct her when he caught sight of Gwendolyn’s familiar figure approaching.

When she strode over, she emitted a formidable and intimidating aura.

It was difficult for Yelena to disregard Gwendolyn’s presence. “Ms. Harris, you’ve become prettier. I heard that women who have given birth will have saggy stomachs, stretch marks, and loose skin. It appears to me those problems don’t bother you.”

Gwendolyn curved her red lips into a sophisticated and elegant smile. “Of course they don’t bother me.

After all, I received my husband’s personal and tenderest care, so I rested extremely well during my confinement period.” She took a step forward and sized up Yelena. “Ms. Dion, you’re young and not bad looking, but why do you have such poor judgment? You don’t even understand the rules of the business world.”

Yelena was a little stunned and baffled. “What do you mean by that, Ms. Harris?”

Gwendolyn wrapped her arms around Cedrick’s and uttered indifferently, “He’s a married man. Ms.

Dion, you’re still single, right? In that case, you should be hitting on those single young men. Besides, ‘Ms. Harris’ is how my business partners and subordinates usually address me. Since you merely live off your family and are attending this banquet as a guest, you can’t call me that. You should address me as ‘Mrs. Jenson.”‘

Gwendolyn enunciated the last part of her sentence, brazenly asserting her authority. She extended her dainty neck, giving her a noble and aloof appearance.

The domineering look in her eyes seemed to be silently labeling Cedrick as her personal possession.

Cedrick felt utterly pleased as he obediently listened to her dissing the pretentious young woman before her.

Slightly astonished, she replied awkwardly, “I apologize for my ignorance. I should have addressed you as Mrs. Jenson. There have long been rumors that Mr. Jenson is under the thumb of his wife. Now that I’m seeing it with my own eyes, the hearsays are indeed true. Nevertheless, you don’t have to think of me as your enemy. It’s not good to keep a man too tightly leashed.”

Upon hearing the phrase “under the thumb of his wife,” Cedrick felt that if Marcus was still alive, and he hadn’t been officially married to Gwendolyn, he would’ve put forth his best effort to correct Yelena, defend his status, and claim that Gwendolyn was under his thumb.

However, he had nothing to worry about now and could comfortably admit Yelena’s assertion to be the case. “Ms. Dion, you mentioned something wrong earlier. I didn’t devote myself to my family after my wife got pregnant. I’ve long since dedicated all my tenderness and affection to Gwenny. Even our children can’t change her position in my heart.”

He held Gwendolyn’s hand tightly, interlocking his fingers with hers, as a gentle look filled his eyes.

Yelena’s face turned slightly pale. “You two are still so loving, Mr. and Mrs. Jenson. This is truly enviable.”

Cedrick didn’t spare Yelena a glance. Focusing his pensive dark gaze on Gwendolyn, he uttered with a deep voice, “Darling, I’m tired of socializing. I’d like to apply to leave early and go home.”

Gwendolyn met his gaze and gave an unprecedented response. “Approved.”

Receiving the affirmative reply, Cedrick was overjoyed. He lifted her in his arms and slipped away from the hall through the side door where there were fewer people.

Gwendolyn wasn’t too pleased after getting into the car.

Sensing something was off with her mood, he said innocently, “Darling, tonight’s incident has nothing to do with me. I don’t know that Ms. Dion, so you can’t take your anger out on me.”

She turned to stare at him, reaching out her fair fingers to pinch his cheek. “You should wear your silver mask when we go out next time. Only with your captivating countenance concealed can I rest assured.”

He was delighted to see her jealous reaction. “All right, but since you’re so pretty, should you wear a mask too, to prevent other handsome men from hitting on you?”

Gwendolyn refused, “I won’t wear it. The mask is so ugly. Putting it on makes me look more hideous.”

Cedrick fell silent. Why do I feel like she’s hinting something at me?

Twenty minutes later, the luxury car arrived at the Jenson residence garage.

Cedrick got out of the car first and then carried Gwendolyn out without letting her feet touch the ground.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and courteously offered, “Why don’t I walk myself? This gown is quite heavy. It’s taxing for you to carry me, right?”

“That’s all right. It’s a good way for me to burn off some stamina. Otherwise, your slender waist will be destroyed tonight.”

After he finished his sentence, Gwendolyn didn’t laugh. Instead, she looked at him with a serious expression.

Taking in her solemn look, Cedrick immediately sensed something was amiss. Oh no! That was a trick question, and I seemed to have answered wrongly!