The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 226

The call connected almost immediately.

"Nicholson? Your daugh—" Claud had barely begun when a clear, childlike voice interrupted from the other end.

"Is this Mr. Gallagher? Are you looking for my dad? He's in a bad mood today. He got drunk, threw up all over the place, and now the housekeeper's cleaning it up…"

Claud fell silent, momentarily at a loss.

With a sigh, he dialed Felicity's friend, Xander.

This time, Xander picked up quickly.

After Claud explained the situation, there was a pause on the line before Xander replied, "I'll come get her and take her home."

An hour later, Xander arrived.

He found Felicity half-asleep, reeking of alcohol, still muttering curses about Winona under her breath. Xander's brow furrowed with concern.

"Mr. McCarthy, if you'll let me speak candidly," Mayo said heatedly to Xander, his frustration boiling over, "It's been over a week, but I still feel ashamed of what we did—luring Winona out under false pretenses, then trying to put her in real danger."

Xander could only mumble, "You're right… I'm sorry."

"If Winona wasn't so kind," Mayo went on, voice rising, "if she hadn't thought about my nephew needing his eczema medicine, how would we have ever convinced her to come? We used her goodness against her! Imagine it—three grown men, conspiring to hurt a woman like that?"

The more he spoke, the angrier and more remorseful he became.

If Winona never forgave him, he'd be haunted by it for the rest of his life.

He regretted it deeply.

As Xander helped Felicity into the car, Mayo jabbed a finger at Felicity, now fast asleep, and snapped, "Did you hear the things she's been saying?"

As Xander's car disappeared into the night, Claud turned to Mayo. "Julian's had way too much to drink. He's probably in a pretty rough state. It was Tiana who answered earlier. We should go check on him."

"Let's go. No time to waste."

An hour later, they pulled up outside Julian's house.

Sue, the housekeeper, let them in.

As soon as she saw them, Tiana burst into tears. "Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Johnston, my dad's never drunk this much before. He keeps calling out for my mom and my brother. Do you think he misses my mom? Is he going to be okay?"

Mayo knelt beside her, speaking gently. "Don't worry, Tiana. Mr. Johnston promises—your dad's going to be just fine."

Tiana looked up at him, eyes shining with hope. "Mr. Johnston, please… could you call my mom for me? Tell her my dad misses her. She'll believe you, I know she will. Please?"