Chapter 452
Wooing My Ex-Wife
Harris Group was the second largest conglomerate in Chanaea after Jenson Group.
Five percent of its shares was already a significant amount.
Yet, Craig demanded fifteen percent in one go, and this was meant to cover the costs of the engagement gifts alone.
They would have to spend even more by the time they got married.
Gwendolyn and Treyton wouldnât have minded if all fifteen percent of the shares were to be given to Jennifer.
However, the Newton family were the ones taking it all.
The atmosphere in the living room was grim, and no one spoke for some time.
Craig observed Gwendolynâs and Treytonâs expressions with a smile.
âJennifer is a popular celebrity.
Since the announcement of her identity as the Newton familyâs daughter, many aristocrats have been coming to me to propose an engagement.
Most of them offered fifteen percent of their companyâs shares.
Thatâs why Iâm consulting your opinion about this, Mr. Treyton.
â Treyton remained silent.
He had no say in this matter, as Harris Group didnât belong to him.
He only possessed fifteen percent of Harris Groupâs shares as the third son of the Harris family and needed permission from the family head before using them.
It was outrageous for all of it to go to the engagement.
Gwendolyn chuckled.
âMr. Craig, donât you think this is a little much? How could you compare fifteen percent of Harris Groupâs shares to that of other companies in the market?â âThe other families offered monetary gifts in addition to fifteen percent of their companyâs shares.
It is only reasonable that I stated this one request.
After all, Harris Groupâs stock price is much higher than most others,â Craig replied.
Gwendolyn was annoyed by his sly smile and proceeded to give him an earful.
âMr. Craig, youâre simply being unreasonable.
After Jennifer left the orphanage, she made her debut through my companyâs talent show with her own effort.
Angle and Treyton had been with her every step of the way to provide her with the resources she needed.
You canât deny that behind the glory of winning the Best Actress Award, besides her own talent and hard work, Jenniferâs achievements wouldnât have been made possible if not for Treyton and me.
The Newton family never lent her a hand in the past twenty years.
Besides giving her a place in a prestigious family, the Newton family has contributed nothing to her success.
How dare you ask for fifteen percent of Harris Groupâs share? Dare I say the Newton family will be hogging all of it while Jennifer wonât even get a cent? The Newton family cannot take credit for bringing her up.
To think you still treat her like a bargaining chip while sheâs in a relationship with Treyton! Craig, you sure are ruthless and materialistic!â Craigâs expression remained indifferent.
He took a sip of coffee leisurely and said, âCalm down, Gwen.
Weâre just discussing.
Nothing is set in stone yet.
You all can take your time and think it over before deciding.
Iâm not in a hurry.
â Gwendolyn ignored him and smoothed out the hem of her skirt.
âWhich room is Jennifer in? I want to check on her.
â âSheâs getting dressed right now, so it probably wonât be convenient.
Youâll see her soon now that the banquet is starting anyway.
â I canât believe he wonât even let me see her! Incensed, Gwendolyn turned around and left.
After taking two steps forward, she turned back.
âI donât feel comfortable with you addressing me as Gwen.
You should address me as Mrs. Jenson in the future.
â Craigâs expression froze, but quickly, he put on a smile again.
âSure.
â Cedrick, who was waiting outside, came up to her at once when he saw her walking out.
âGwenny, how did it go? Did the engagement go well?â Gwendolyn shook her head solemnly.
Cedrick frowned.
âCraig didnât agree? But Treyton and Jennifer are already an item although they never announced it publicly.
I donât see a reason why heâd disapprove of it.
â âI was the one who disapproved.
â Gwendolyn lowered her gaze.
âHe asked for fifteen percent of Harris Groupâs shares as the engagement gift.
â âFifteen percent?â Cedrickâs eyes widened slightly in surprise.
âThe gall of him to ask for such a hefty amount! He must be bored out of his mind with the lack of work at the bureau these days.
Let me have a word with him.
â âNever mind that.
â Gwendolyn held him back.
âThe engagement has nothing to do with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, so it wouldnât be appropriate of you to pressure him as his superior.
I doubt weâll reach an agreement regarding the engagement by tonight.
Iâll wait for several days and try again.
â Cedrick ran his hand over her cheek, feeling heartbroken.
âNow you know how difficult it is to be the head of the family.
â âYouâre right.
I have to be responsible for every little thing in the Harris family.
The fact that there are a bunch of old geezers waiting for me to make a mistake to inflate their ego isnât helping either.
â Cedrick massaged her shoulders skillfully as he whispered seductively in her ear, âYou deserve a reward tonight for your hard work, Darling.
Were you satisfied with my sensual and sexy dance from two nights ago?â Gwendolynâs face flushed as red as a tomato as her mind was instantly filled with images of his sultry dance moves on the bed that night.
She struggled to get a grip on herself at how sensual it was.
It was a shame she couldnât indulge herself in it.
She sighed.
âIâll have to take a rain check.
Iâm still having my period.
Youâll be tortured if we canât go all the way.
â Cedrick inclined his head as he removed his suitcoat and wrapped it around Gwendolynâs shoulders.
âThe weather is rather chilly tonight.
I donât want you to get cramps from catching a cold.
â While they were engrossed in their conversation, Treyton walked out of the living room, looking gloomy.
Gwendolyn took one look at him and asked, âTreyton, what did you and Craig talk about?â âHe wonât allow me to see Jennifer.
â Gwendolyn consoled, âLet it go.
Now that weâre at the Newton residence, things would get ugly if Jennifer had to pick sides between you and her brother.
â Treyton didnât seem convinced.
âKiddo, I have this gut feeling that somethingâs off somewhere, but I canât seem to pinpoint what exactly it is.
â He felt extremely uneasy about not being able to meet with Jennifer.
Gwendolyn and Cedrick exchanged a serious look but did not comment on the matter.
The garden was adorned with fairy lights everywhere.
Even the bridge and brook were decorated elegantly.
The guests began to trickle in.
In about half an hour, the garden was a hive of activity.
All of them were dressed up elegantly.
Gwendolyn, Cedrick, and Treyton sat at one table.
They all sipped on red wine except for Gwendolyn, who drank a cup of warm milk since she was still on her period.
Craig had invited several reporters from major international media portals due to Jenniferâs identity as a celebrity and a popular female idol group to perform on stage.
The atmosphere was at its peak after their performance.
Craig then got on stage and thanked the guests for their attendance according to the script heâd prepared beforehand.
Treyton was becoming increasingly anxious since Jennifer still hadnât appeared after such a long time.
Craig was still giving his speech.
He only glossed over the details about Jenniferâs harsh upbringing at the orphanage and blamed everything on the kidnappers, washing the Newton family free from all guilt.
âTonight, besides celebrating the return of Jennifer, I have another announcement to make since everyone is gathered here.
â Craig paused to create suspense.
âJust a moment ago, I agreed to the engagement proposal of the Abbot family.
The engagement ceremony of Jennifer and Mr. Remus Abbot will be held at Summit Hotel in two weeks.
â Everyone at Gwendolynâs table froze on the spot.
Treyton didnât hear a single word Craig said after that as all he could think of was Remus and Jenniferâs engagement.