The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 308

"You really don't care about… Julian anymore?" Xander asked again.

"Of course not. The moment I handed him those divorce papers, I knew I didn't love him anymore. And I never will again," Winona said, her tone one of complete liberation. There was no love, but also no hate.

"I want to convince her to change her ways, to let go of her old attitudes and beliefs. I hope she and Julian can find a way to be together. Nona, you won't… end our friendship over this, will you?" Xander asked cautiously.

He wasn't sure when it happened, but the scales of his friendship had tipped decisively in Winona's favor.

Winona smiled, a touch of melancholy in her expression.

She looked at Xander with genuine sincerity. "The Shepherd family is the Shepherd family, and you are you. I know you feel guilty for how you treated me because of Felicity. You don't have to. You're an upright, decent man, and my family and I would be happy to be your dining companions."

"No matter how close you are to the Shepherds or to Felicity, I won't interfere."

"The only thing I ask is that when the day comes for my grandmother to seek her revenge on the Shepherd family, you don't get involved to stop her. That's all."

"Let's make a pact, shall we? We won't interfere in each other's friendships, and we'll still be friends. Dining companions."

Winona smiled graciously as she asked.

Xander was stunned.

He murmured, "Nona, your generosity, your frankness… Felicity can't compare. You're truly admirable."

"Don't mention it," Winona said.

"So it's settled? We won't interfere in each other's social circles, but we're still friends, still dining companions?" Xander reiterated.

"That's right."

"In that case… please forgive me for canceling on you tonight. I can't take you for that fancy steak dinner. I have to go to the Shepherds and help them with some damage control," Xander said apologetically.

"Go ahead," Winona said, not trying to stop him.

With their dinner plans canceled, the family of four went home to cook, their mood still light and cheerful.

After dinner, they debated whether they should move into Julian's mansion. Mia even mused about hiring twenty handsome butlers under the age of thirty. She fell asleep amidst these pleasant discussions.

When she woke up the next morning, she found a note from Winona on the coffee table: "Mia, take care of Grandma and get Zane to kindergarten. I have to go to the construction site. There's been an accident."

By then, Winona was already nearing the site.

Ten minutes later, she arrived.

Even before she got out of the car, she could see the wooden framework of the structure was visibly tilted.

She got out and walked closer, only to run into Julian, who had just arrived himself.

"What are you doing here?" Julian, looking haggard with stubble on his chin and his tie undone, stared at her in surprise.