The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 279

Tears welled in Felicity's eyes as she stared at Julian. "At such a critical moment, with everyone else here, you're kicking me out? Only me?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion. She thought she was the one who should be by his side.

Julian's tone was cold and detached. "Look around you. Everyone here is either my family and legal team, or Winona's family and her lawyer. Don't you see that you're the only outsider? At a time like this, your very presence in that courtroom is a weapon for her. Are you trying to hand her the ammunition to have the judge strip me of everything I own? Or do you want the entire court to condemn you?"

Felicity paled. She had almost forgotten. She and Julian were in love, and for years they had never taken Winona seriously. But in a court of law, all that mattered was the marriage certificate. And according to that document, she was…

"I'm sorry, Julian. I didn't mean to. It's just that we've been together for so long, I never really thought of Winona as important. Even Tiana loves me more than her. In practice, our little family is the real one… I understand. I'll leave now. I won't cause you any trouble."

Felicity was smart; she knew when to retreat. At this crucial moment, she reined in her emotions, understanding what was at stake. As she was about to leave, she offered him words of encouragement. "Don't worry, Julian. No matter what happens, I'll stand by you. Even if you have to give Winona all your personal assets, it's not the end of the world. We still have The Nicholson Group. We can earn it all back. And we have my senior living project. We have hope!"

Her words were brave and dignified, as if she were the one supporting him, providing for him. She seemed to have forgotten the hundreds of millions he had spent on her over the past three years.

"I know," Julian nodded.

Felicity then crouched down, her eyes full of affection as she looked at Tiana. "You be a good girl for Daddy, okay? And remember what I told you. Be nice to Winona. You have to be patient with her, understand?"

Things on Julian's side were not nearly as calm. Tiana's tear-filled eyes were fixed on Winona, who treated her like a complete stranger.

Helga's heart softened. "Winona," she whispered, "look at Tiana, she's a mess. She keeps looking at you. Why don't you bring her over here? I can hold her."

Winona's gaze was bleak. "Grandma, I gave birth to her. Don't you think I want to hold her? But you saw it yourself just now. Felicity was holding her hand. She listens to Felicity, not me. Felicity told her to act pitiful in front of me, and she's doing a very convincing job. The second I fall for that trap, Felicity will destroy me. After the kidnapping, after the online smear campaign, haven't you learned your lesson?"

Helga fell silent. Everything Winona said was true.