The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 142

He never expected his mother would still be hung up on this.

The mention of Yates suddenly brought something vitally important to Julian's mind.

"Put the employment contract on hold!" Julian tossed out the words, then grabbed the court summons and headed for his office.

As soon as he stepped inside, he picked up the landline and dialed the number of Yates, the man who had served as the Nicholson family's butler for over thirty years.

Yates answered almost immediately. "Master Julian, is there something you need?"

"Yates, all these years—have you ever given Winona her allowance?"

According to the Nicholson family's rules, the lady of the house was supposed to receive a monthly allowance of thirty thousand.

Had she really never received it?

Julian could hardly believe it.

Yates stammered on the other end, "It was… it was Madam who told me not to send Mrs. Winona her allowance. She said… since Mrs. Winona lives with you, there's no way you'd let her go without, so…"

Julian's mind went utterly blank.

All these years, the Nicholson family hadn't given Winona a single cent.

Not a single cent.

And he—disgusted with her, refusing to even speak more than a word or two—had he ever given her anything himself?

How had she survived, all these years?

A heavy, inexplicable weight pressed down on Julian's heart, as if someone had struck him with a sledgehammer.

His hand trembled as he held the court summons.

He might have resented her, but he'd never meant to treat her this cruelly.

He picked up the phone and dialed his mother. "Mom! All these years, why did you tell Yates not to give Winona her allowance?"

Janetta's voice was full of irritation. "I was furious with her! Why should I give her anything? Was she ever the daughter-in-law I wanted? She forced herself onto you, forced her way into this family, thinking she could just marry up and become one of us? Well, I wasn't going to let her get what she wanted!"

She sounded worried. "Julian, are you okay? Is it the court summons? Was it Yves Prescott who sued you? That man will stop at nothing! Does he really think he can ruin you with a lawsuit at a time like this?"

The mention of the summons brought Julian's attention back to the envelope in his hand.

How could he have been so careless? If Felicity hadn't reminded him, he'd have forgotten about it again.

Last time, because he'd forgotten, the court had delivered it to him in person.

What kind of summons was so important?

Julian forced himself to set aside the thought that Winona hadn't received a penny from the Nicholson family for the past six years, and tore open the envelope.

He scanned the document.

The words leapt out at him: Two months ago, Winona had already filed for divorce.

Winona was suing him for divorce.

Julian stood frozen, stunned.