The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 373

Frank again.

Winona's heart skipped a beat. "Dr. McCarthy, why are you suddenly asking about Frank again?"

"Nona, can you be honest with me? Do you consider me a friend?" Xander asked from the other end of the line.

"Of course," she replied without hesitation.

"If you do, then please, tell me the truth. Did you know Frank before all of this? I need you to be completely honest with me."

With the Shepherds in disarray, scrambling to find a place to live under the pressure from Yves Prescott, Felicity had no time to look after Frank in the ICU. The responsibility had fallen to Xander. This gave him the perfect opportunity to investigate the connection he suspected between Winona and Frank.

The comatose Frank would still occasionally murmur fragments like "Irene" and "Shepherd." That afternoon, Xander had distinctly heard him say, "Irene, thanks to your care, I was able to have her with me for ten more years…"

Who had taken care of Irene? Was it "Shepherd"? Xander was baffled.

After her recovery, Ms. Chase had cut off contact. Winona, knowing her place, had never tried to leverage the fact that she had saved her life to build a relationship. In fact, she had severed all ties herself. It was only later that Ms. Chase, perhaps out of guilt, had reached out. But in the ten years since, they had only spoken once or twice. Now, Ms. Chase was gone. And even if she weren't, given their brief and distant connection, it was absurd to think she would leave billions to Winona. The idea was preposterous.

Winona decided not to mention her acquaintance with an Italian woman to Xander. It was a self-preservation instinct. If there truly was a connection between her, Ms. Chase, and Frank, she would investigate it herself, secretly. She wouldn't entrust it to anyone else.

"I have truly never met Mr. Frank," she repeated firmly.