The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 191

Winona turned to look at Xander, her answer swift and unwavering. "No, you can't."

Xander blinked at her, at a loss for words.

Awkwardly, he wiped the sweat from his brow. "If Miss Perkins doesn't want to talk to me today, I'll try again another time. And the time after that. I'll keep trying until you're willing to talk."

Winona's eyes narrowed. "You—"

She swallowed her anger, keeping her expression calm. "What is it you want to discuss? Say it now."

"I want to apologize to you." Xander's face was full of regret as he looked at her.

"That won't be necessary," she replied, voice flat.

Xander hesitated, looking like he might say more, but she cut him off.

"Is that all? If so, please leave. Yves Prescott needs to rest." Winona didn't hesitate to show him the door.

She had no desire to talk to any friend of Felicity's. To be honest, just seeing Felicity's friends made her want to gag.

Oddly enough, Yves Prescott seemed almost forgiving in that moment.

"Mr. McCarthy didn't mean any harm," Yves said gently, trying to smooth things over. "He just didn't know the full story—just like Mr. Shaw and I didn't at first. Shouldn't you give people a chance?"

Winona bit her lip and fell silent.

But her silence had nothing to do with Yves's attempt at persuasion.

This was different.

She had approached Yves and Mr. Shaw herself, and besides, neither of them were friends with Felicity.

But Xander? She had never wanted anything to do with him. The only thing she felt for this man was pure disgust.

Still, with Yves lying injured in a hospital bed, she couldn't bring herself to contradict him in front of others.

Xander said nothing. He wanted to protest, but the truth was, if she refused his apology, he really did intend to keep trying until she forgave him.

"Fine, then I'll tell you." Winona looked at him the way you'd look at someone truly shameless.

"Mr. McCarthy, what exactly did I ever do to you? We've never even known each other. From the very first moment you met me, you spoke to me with nothing but hostility and viciousness. Did you ever stop to ask what was really going on? No. You never gave me a chance to explain—you just condemned me outright, called me a homewrecker and worse."

Xander fell silent.

"And besides, as you can see, I never came between your friend and anyone. Julian is my legal husband. We're not divorced. Don't you think your repeated accusations and insults were nothing more than bullying?"

"A few days ago, if Yves Prescott hadn't come to my rescue, I would've been left to the mercy of a group of vagrants you and your friends sent after me. Do you have any idea what would have happened to me?"

"You bullied me, humiliated me, ground me into the dirt, and now you want to offer a half-hearted apology like it's some kind of candy, and expect me to forgive you? Mr. McCarthy, I didn't dig up your ancestors' graves, did I?"

"No, you didn't. Miss Perkins, whether or not you forgive me, I owe you a sincere apology. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, I won't bother you again. But if you ever need my help—even if it means real risk to myself—I'll be there. Because I owe you that much."