The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 375

Julian's expression was impassive. "Yves Prescott, I'm not in the habit of listening to gossip, even if it's about my fiancée. The life I will share with her is in the future. What does her past have to do with anything?"

The sharp rebuke left Yves momentarily speechless. He recovered with a dry chuckle. "You're… you're absolutely right, Mr. Nicholson. Her past has nothing to do with it. My sincerest wishes for a happy marriage to you and your fiancée."

Without another word, Julian turned and left.

As his figure disappeared, Winona looked at Yves in surprise. "Do you know something about Felicity?" The first thing that came to her mind was Helga's persistent claim: "You are the true granddaughter of the Shepherd family, I'm sure of it!" From the day Helga had found her at the Shepherds' gate and brought her to Perkins Creek, she had repeated it like a mantra: "I've saved the old bastard's own granddaughter. One day, I'll have her avenge me. Let's see how his family likes that."

Winona had told Helga countless times that she wasn't a Shepherd, that three separate DNA tests had proven it. But Helga had never believed her. Could she have told Yves this story, and he had actually taken it seriously?

Yves nodded. "I do."

"Don't you dare!" Winona said immediately.

"Hmm?"

"My grandmother is talking nonsense! I had DNA tests with Teague and Henrietta, and so did Felicity! Don't you listen to her ramblings and then repeat them to Julian!" she said urgently. "Not long ago, Julian gave up his entire fortune to pay off my ten-billion-dollar debt for Felicity, and now he's about to cover another thirty billion for her father. That shows how much he loves her. He won't be swayed by whether or not she's a Shepherd. Your meddling will be useless!"

Yves countered, "So your grandmother suspects you're a Shepherd?"

Winona didn't press further. She had no interest in Felicity's past. Her focus was on her career and her partnership with Yves. With the year's end approaching, the cold weather would halt construction until spring. The site they were co-developing with Julian was the first and fastest-moving project. That meant it would be the first to show problems after the new year. To ensure a smooth takeover of all of Julian's projects, she needed to have her preparations in order.

She was stunning when she worked, a force of nature. Yves sat across from her with Zane, watching her quietly, not wanting to disturb her. It was only when the restaurant staff brought out the special medicinal soup they had prepared for her that she finally closed her laptop.

After their meal, Yves walked Winona and Zane back to their apartment building. "If Julian really covers the thirty-billion debt for the Shepherds, will your grandmother be upset with me?" he asked.

Winona laughed. "What's this? The notoriously ruthless and fearless Yves Prescott is afraid of a seventy-year-old woman?"