The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 399

"I met an Italian woman about ten years ago, but we weren't close, and she has since passed away," Winona explained honestly. "As for now, I don't know anyone in Italy, let alone have friends there."

"Then why the sudden trip to Italy?" Xander pressed.

"It's not sudden; it's been planned for a while. It's for work, not to see friends. So, Dr. McCarthy, I can't go to the hospital to look after Frank. Besides, he's related to the Shepherd family, not me," Winona said, gently but firmly ending the conversation. Then, her tone shifted to a playful one. "Was this your New Year's call? You know, even though you stood us up, you're still welcome to join us today. The four of us would be happy to have you. But you'd better bring gifts—we have a little one here, you know."

"Dr. McCarthy, I want a gift too!" Mia chimed in from beside Winona.

"I… I want a gift too," her grandmother added, her eyes twinkling.

Winona rolled her eyes.

"Alright, alright," Xander said, his voice warm. "Gifts for the three beautiful Perkins ladies and one handsome young man. I'll bring them all this afternoon. How does that sound?"

Xander had been having a difficult holiday. The hospital was in chaos, and he had been moving from one surgery to another. Surrounded by life and death, a chill had settled in his heart. But hearing the lively, cheerful voices of Winona's family, even as they playfully demanded gifts, brought a welcome warmth to his soul.

"Yay! I'm getting another New Year's present!"

"Me too!"

In previous years, New Year's had been a lonely time. Julian would take Tiana to the Nicholson estate, leaving her and Zane behind. Sometimes she and Zane would celebrate quietly at home; other times, she would take him to see Mia, or her grandmother. But this was the first time their small, fractured family was all together.

Winona decided to treat them to the lavish buffet on the 88th floor of the Global Finance Tower, the tallest building in Greenwood City.

Just as they were about to leave, her phone rang. It was Yves.

"Yves," she said, a little surprised. "You were with us on the cruise all last night. Don't you need to spend time with your family? The Prescott family is so large."

"Before I met you, the only family I really considered was my mother, and she spends most of her time at a mountain monastery. The rest of the Prescotts… they're blood, but I've never felt particularly close to them. I make the rounds, hand out the requisite gifts, and that's that," he explained.