The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 410

Tiana scurried into Henrietta's arms and said pleadingly, "You can pinch me, Grandma. It doesn't hurt."

Henrietta's smile was grotesque. "You're just as wicked, ugly, and foul as that rotten mother of yours."

As she spoke, her fingers found the same bruised spots from yesterday. She squeezed with all her might, until her own hand ached.

Tiana trembled violently but kept repeating, "I love you so much, Grandma. I love Felly so much, too."

When Henrietta's hand grew tired, she said, "Go upstairs and play now. Don't come out of your room until I say you can. That's a good little brat, understand?"

She intended to slowly break Tiana for her daughter's sake, so Felicity wouldn't have to deal with a difficult stepdaughter when she officially moved in.

Tiana obediently went upstairs and didn't emerge again.

Later, the housekeeper, Sue, knocked on her door to clean the playroom, but Tiana called out, "That's okay, I just want to play in my room."

Sue frowned.

She went downstairs and saw that the Shepherds were all getting ready to leave for the hospital to visit Frank. She waited until they were gone before pulling out her phone and calling Julian. "Sir, something is wrong with the young miss. I knocked on her door, but she won't open it."

Julian had felt uneasy when he left that morning; he'd sensed something was off with Tiana.

Hearing Sue's call confirmed his fears. "I'm finishing up here. I'll be home soon."

"Very good, sir." Sue hung up and stood guard outside the playroom.

She called through the door, "Tiana, would you like some water? I can bring you a glass."

"No, thank you, Sue. Please don't worry about me. I want to be alone in my room."

"Alright," Sue replied.

"No, no, that's not it. I was planning to resign when you and your ex-wife divorced. I agreed to help out for a little while longer, but it's been two months now, and I really can't delay any further. If it's alright with you, I'd like to make today my last day." Sue's tone was firm.

Julian didn't mind one housekeeper more or less. "Fine. I'll give you three months' severance pay."

With that, he walked straight to Tiana's playroom and knocked. "Tiana, it's Daddy. Open the door."

He heard a sound from inside, but the door remained closed.

He knocked again. "Tiana…"

There was more movement, but still, she didn't open the door.

A sense of dread washed over Julian, and he slammed his shoulder against the door.

The moment it burst open, he froze in shock. "Tiana…"