The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 491

The Shepherds never imagined that seeking out Winona would not only fail to improve their situation but plunge them into an even more desperate one.

Before the police arrived, Henrietta pleaded tearfully, "Just because I didn't know, you're going to be this heartless? They say ignorance is no excuse, but you're my biological daughter..."

"You have some nerve, Henrietta, trying to hide behind that excuse!" Winona shot back. "If we're talking about ignorance, what did five-year-old Tiana know? Did she provoke you? Did she bite you? Why did you pinch her thighs every day until they were bruised and broken? You tormented her, forced her to act like a dog. She was only five! She didn't even know how to fight back. You must have enjoyed that, didn't you?"

Henrietta was speechless.

""And what about me? I was just a child at sixteen, unable to even care for myself. I had a single, minor argument with Felicity, and in response your whole family, everyone except Old Mr. Shepherd, beat me. Every one of you. So I ask you, what had I done to deserve that? If I was the one switched at birth, was that my decision? What crime did I commit?"

Henrietta couldn't answer.

"In this world, neither the real heiress nor the fake one is at fault. It's not about birthright; it's about the wickedness in people's hearts. I'm thankful, in a twisted way, that a disaster freed me from such a sick family. If I had stayed with you, I probably would have ended up just as warped."

"And if I hadn't, I would have died of shame just from being related to you!"

"So, give it up. I will never acknowledge any of you in this lifetime!"

With that, Winona turned. "Grandma, let's go."

Grandma shot the Shepherds a look. "You brought this all on yourselves. And because of it, I gained the best granddaughter in the world. Such a wonderful girl!"

She then took Tiana and Zane by the hand and followed Winona out.

"Wh-what?" Teague stammered, his eyes wide with shock as he noticed the police.

Then, a flicker of hope ignited in his eyes. "Winona is rich! If she's our daughter, doesn't that mean our family is... saved?"

"Ha! Hahaha..." A nearby officer couldn't help but laugh.

Teague looked at him, confused. "Officer, why are you here? What's so funny?"

Teague was left utterly speechless.