The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 56

"Why bother paying? Julian already said he's covering everything!" Mia huffed, still fuming. "If we'd known that cheapskate was paying, we should've booked the ultra-luxury package—the one that's, like, a hundred grand a table!"

"My package wasn't exactly cheap either. Eighteen thousand, eight hundred!" Winona protested. "I need to go to the front desk and get a refund."

She had just registered her design firm, with only a hundred thousand dollars in startup capital. Money was tight right now. Nearly twenty grand—that was no small sum. She had to get it back.

"Go for it," Mia urged.

Winona turned and headed toward the elevator. The doors slid open, and as she stepped inside, a sharply dressed man in a tailored suit emerged, blocking her way with a piercing glare.

Winona froze for a second.

Who is this guy?

"Winona, right?" His tone was cold and righteous. "I don't care if you want to be someone else's mistress, but if you try to wreck Felly's relationship, I won't be so polite!"

Winona stared at him in silence, her gaze steady and unhurried.

His eyes were stern and severe, but from his expression alone, she could tell—he didn't seem like a bad person. At least, not like Mackenzie, who'd sided with Felicity even after she'd torn Winona's family apart, always bullying her with open aggression. Or like Yves Prescott, ruthless and unpredictable, with depths she'd never want to plumb.

No, this man radiated some twisted sense of justice.

"I haven't done anything to ruin Felicity's relationship," Winona replied calmly, not wanting to escalate things with a self-righteous man.

"In the restroom, you deliberately leaned on Julian. If that's not seduction, what is? I've seen plenty of women like you. Getting a job as a housekeeper for the Nicholsons—that was your first move, wasn't it? All to get closer to Julian?" He spoke as if every word were gospel truth.

Winona let out a short, sharp laugh.

She'd already filed the divorce papers with the court. At this point, why bother explaining?

Where's Zane? Where's Mia?

She hurried into the living room and found a note from Zane: Mom, you've been so tired these past few days. Get some rest. Aunt Mia took me to preschool.

Winona's heart melted at the words.

Her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—Wesley.

Feeling guilty, she answered, "Sorry, Wesley. Yesterday was Zane's birthday, and I was completely wiped out. I overslept this morning, but I'll head to the office right away. I won't be late for the contract signing with the investors at eleven."

Wesley's voice was tense. "Nona, your project—the senior living development in partnership with the Nicholson Group overseas—it's almost identical to theirs. The investors are all pulling out."

Winona was speechless.