The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 236

Claud had promised Julian he'd deliver the statue of Jesus to Winona. Even though she'd refused to take it, he wasn't ready to give up just yet.

Worried that Winona might get angry if he pressed the issue, he kept his distance, just following her from afar. That's when he noticed another car—a nondescript van—shadowing her movements.

Julian's people?

Or Felicity's?

Claud couldn't be sure.

He tried calling Winona, but no matter how many times he dialed, she never picked up. A tight knot of dread formed in his stomach—something must have happened to her.

Instinctively, his fingers hovered over Julian's number. He even dialed the first few digits, but then hesitated and hung up. Instead, he called Mayo.

Mayo picked up almost instantly. "Gallagher, you and I both feel guilty about Winona because she never did anything to deserve this. We pity her. But Julian and Felicity are in love, and besides, Julian's from one of the most prominent families in Greenwood City. If word got out that Winona was pressing for a divorce, it'd be a huge scandal for him…"

"You're saying it's possible Julian… had Winona taken?" Claud's voice was barely above a whisper.

"I can't say for sure," Mayo replied.

A heavy silence fell between them. Claud didn't dare call Julian again.

He considered reaching out to Yves Prescott, but his loyalties—however conflicted—still leaned toward Julian.

After some effort, he tracked down Mia's number through mutual contacts and called her, deciding to let Mia make the next move.

Mia's tone was icy at first, but softened just a fraction. "So it really wasn't you who kidnapped Nona?"

"If it was me, would I be calling you right now?"

"It has to be that wretched witch Felicity! If I ever get my hands on her, I'll rip her limb from limb!" Mia spat the words out, then promptly hung up.

Mia's eyes brimmed with tears. "Thank you, Yves Prescott…"

He waved her gratitude away, face grim and determined.

Mia clasped her hands together, murmuring over and over, "Please, let Nona be safe. Please, let her be safe…"

Meanwhile, Winona's captors had been driving for hours, circling the city until she'd completely lost her sense of direction. Still, judging by the way the ride looped back on itself, she was fairly certain they hadn't left Greenwood City.

The van finally came to a stop.

Rough hands pulled her out and forced her into a place where her footsteps echoed. When they yanked the hood from her head, she squinted in the dim yellow light, making out the crumbling remains of an abandoned building. It took her a while to adjust before she could focus on the figure sitting directly in front of her.

"So it really was you…" Winona said, her voice steady, as she looked at the person in the chair. "You're the one who had me kidnapped?"