The Ex and Her Riches
Chapter 767

Chapter 767

Cedrick knew Gwendolyn well enough to be aware that she would stop her car and contact emergencyservices if she encountered a stranger in danger or in need of help. However, she would never allow anunfamiliar person into her car.

As Cedrick examined the surveillance camera screens, his breathing grew heavy. It was evident to himthat the person in the car was intentionally trying to avoid being captured by the public surveillancecameras.

While Cedrick could make out some details, such as a muscular physique and a partially visibleshoulder, he couldn’t determine the man’s identity.

Salinsburgh had recently experienced a surge in mysterious incidents, placing an increased workloadon the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Analyzing the scene, Cedrick concluded, “There are no signs of a struggle or any potential weaponsthat could be connected to a crime. It is possible that the man is indeed an acquaintance of Gwenny’s.”

He turned to Swain and instructed, “Check with the nearby businesses around the bridge and inquire ifany of them have outdoor surveillance cameras installed. We might obtain valuable footage that canshed light on the situation.”

It could potentially be their first breakthrough in the investigation.

“You’re right, Boss. I’ll be right on it.”

As Swain prepared to leave, he felt a moment of concern for Cedrick’s well-being. He paused at thedoor and reminded, “Boss, I understand you’re anxious, but please take care of yourself too. It’s winter,the rain is freezing cold, and you’re still soaking wet. We wouldn’t want you falling sick before replaceingMrs. Jenson.”

Cedrick’s stern look silenced Swain.

“All right, I’m off.” He shrugged and exited the room.

Despite his damp hair and dripping clothes since his return from the canyon, Cedrick chose to ignorehis discomfort.

He reached for a pack of cigarettes from the drawer, something he hadn’t done in years sincebecoming a parent.

However, that night, he decided to indulge, knowing he wouldn’t be seeing the kids and, therefore,wouldn’t need to worry about smelling like nicotine.

With his lighter in hand, he lit the cigarette and took a deep drag as if releasing the built-up stress andtension within him.

As the bitter smoke filled his lungs, he coughed uncomfortably.

His eyes reddened as he stared at the cigarette between his fingers and whispered, “Darling, I brokeyour rules and smoked. I deserve to be punished by you. Can you see that? Please let me replace yousoon…”

His voice choked with emotion as he finally allowed himself to let go of all the heartache he had beensuppressing since losing his wife.

Now alone, the man who used to stand tall in the face of adversity was sobbing, consumed bysadness.

The sound of heavy rain outside masked his sobs in the office.

Cedrick took a deep breath, coughing slightly, and quickly finished his cigarette before disposing of thebutt in the glass ashtray.

Having turned off his phone long ago to prevent Nico and Charles from reaching him, Cedrick reachedinto the drawer and retrieved another phone, dialing the number he had memorized by heart.

However, much to his disappointment, he received the same message as before, telling him that thenumber he had dialed was out of service and to please try again later.

The fact that Gwendolyn’s phone was still switched on left Cedrick feeling even more devastated.

As he grappled with the situation, the unsettling facts surrounding the incident refused to escape hismind. There were no signs of a struggle in the car, indicating that the man who got into her car wassomeone she knew.

Furthermore, the car appeared to be in perfect condition, meaning Gwendolyn had chosen to drive offthe cliff.

And even in the canyon where the car had landed, there was no trace of blood or any evidence toexplain what had transpired.

The rain had washed away any potential clues, leaving Cedrick haunted by the uncertainty anddangers his wife might have faced.

As Cedrick stared at the photos captured by the surveillance cameras, a sudden realization washedover him.

Without wasting another moment, he got up from his desk, walked out of the office, and retrieved thephone one of the officers found in Gwendolyn’s car.

The phone had been severely damaged, smashed to bits.

Nonetheless, Cedrick was not ready to give up hope. Leaving the Federal Bureau of Investigationbehind, he set off to seek assistance from someone who lived in the basement, a skilled andtrustworthy repairman named Owen Hirst.

Handing the phone in a transparent plastic bag to Owen, Cedrick asked, “Can you fix this?”

Owen put on his specialty gloves and carefully examined the shattered remains of the phone beforeshaking his head regretfully. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Jenson. This phone is beyond repair. Even if I manage tofix the physical parts, recovering the contents would be extremely difficult.”

Undeterred, Cedrick clarified, “I don’t need you to fix the phone entirely. Just put the chip back togetherand connect it to another display screen so I can see the contents of the phone.”

Understanding his request, Owen nodded confidently. “That’s easy.”

“How long will it take for you to do it?”

“If everything goes smoothly, I’d say about two days.”

Cedrick frowned, his imposing demeanor evident as he placed a blank check on Owen’s table. “I don’tcare if you have to skip meals or burn the midnight oil, but I want it done by tomorrow afternoon.”

Owen’s eyes brightened at the sight of the blank check. “Don’t worry, Mr. Jenson. I’ll survive on coffeeand energy drinks tonight and get it done for you.”

Cedrick left his contact number and departed the basement at that.

Meanwhile, in the laboratory’s ward, Zendaya gazed out of the window, her eyes fixated on the fallingraindrops.

Every now and then, she would reach out, trying to catch the droplets and engaging in her playfulgame.

Without Cedrick around, there was no one to rein in her exuberance, and the ward resounded with theinfectious sound of her joyous laughter.

As Zendaya’s joyous laughter filled the ward, Benedict couldn’t shake off the feeling that somethingwas amiss.

Nico had returned to Harrick Villa to pack some clothes for Zendaya and Benedict as per Cedrick’srequest, preparing for their indefinite stay in the laboratory.

Currently, Charles, Benedict, and Zendaya were the only occupants of the ward.

Charles appeared distant, his cold demeanor leaving others unsure of what thoughts occupied hismind.

Benedict, sitting on the hospital bed, observed Charles coldly. “How can you space out while peeling anapple, Charles? Is there anything else you can do?”

Jolted out of his thoughts by Benedict’s complaint, Charles accidentally cut his finger with the fruit knifein his surprise.

He stared at his hand in shock, his expression now grave. The feeling that Cedrick was actingstrangely that night lingered. It felt as if he was hiding something from him.

“Charles?” Benedict blinked and focused on the blood on Charles’ finger. “Your blood is all over theapple now.” He pouted.

Charles snapped back to reality and apologized, “I’m sorry.”

Benedict, however, had more pressing concerns on his mind than to hold a grudge against him. “Whathappened to Daddy and Mommy? Why aren’t they here to visit us tonight? Why won’t they let us returnhome? Did they run into any trouble?” he asked curiously.

Carefully tending to his injured finger with tissue papers, Charles replied, “I’m not too sure whathappened to them, but a lot of things have been happening around Salinsburgh lately. It’s entirelynormal for Cedrick to be too busy to care about you two.”

Benedict fell silent as he contemplated Charles’ response.

Meanwhile, Zendaya continued to sing and play by the window, her hands wet from the rain, yet in anincredibly joyful mood.

Charles kept a watchful eye on her from a distance, concerned that she might catch a cold. He wasabout to get up and reason with her to leave the window sill when his phone rang.

Glancing at the screen, he saw that it was a call from Whitney.