The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 431

Frank, still reeling from the revelation about Felicity's children, was now hit with another shock from Ken's call. But at his age, he had learned to maintain his composure.

"What did you just say?" he asked calmly. "I didn't quite hear you."

Ken repeated himself. "Mr. Frank, could the young woman who visited Ms. Chase's grave be an imposter? You told me you knew her, but she said her name isn't Shepherd, that she doesn't know you, and that she has no idea what your name is or what you do for a living."

Frank's gaze drifted unconsciously to Felicity, who was still wearing a triumphant smile. For a moment, he felt a surreal sense of disorientation, as if he were seeing a ghost. But Felicity had definitely been in Italy just a few days ago. He had been in the hospital, and she had been busy with wedding preparations, so he hadn't had a chance to ask about the inheritance contract.

He spoke into the phone. "Let's put this aside for now. We'll talk after the wedding."

Frank hung up, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. No one could guess what he was thinking. The undercurrent of tension between Julian and Felicity on stage was lost on him. He had been surprised to hear Felicity had two other children, but he didn't see it as a major issue. Julian had a child from a previous marriage, and Felicity had children from a previous relationship. In a blended family, wasn't that normal?

At that moment, Frank's concern shifted from Felicity's children to Winona. He felt a deep sense of guilt and had been wanting to apologize to her for a long time, but the opportunity had never arisen. He had wanted to see her as soon as he woke up from his heart transplant surgery, but she had refused to meet with him. When he heard Julian's mother humiliating Winona earlier, he had wanted to speak up, but he felt it wasn't his place to interfere in their wedding.

Now, seeing Winona on stage, Frank pushed himself up in his wheelchair and bowed as deeply as his frail body would allow. "Miss Perkins," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I have wanted to offer my sincerest apologies to you and your grandmother, but I never had the chance. I was wrong before. I didn't know you were Mr. Nicholson's ex-wife. I mistakenly thought you were a third party trying to ruin his relationship with 'Shepherd.' I am truly sorry."

The heart had been sourced by Xander, but Felicity vaguely implied the credit was hers. In this moment, she desperately needed Frank on her side.

Frank nodded weakly, his gaze softening as he looked at Felicity, then at Julian. "Mr. Nicholson," he said, his voice filled with paternal affection. "'Shepherd' has suffered so much in her life. You must treat her well, and treat her two children well. You now have five children. A large family is a great blessing."

Julian and the entire Nicholson family felt as if they were being roasted over an open fire. But on stage, in front of all these guests, and with Felicity pregnant with his twins, what could he possibly say?