The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 79

Winona's sleepiness vanished instantly.

"You… how could you let my grandma go to the Shepherds' house? Didn't you always say she was your grandmother too? You know how the Shepherds have always humiliated her!"

"I… Nona, I didn't have a choice," Mia stammered, glancing at Winona with guilt. "You know I can never win an argument with Gran. If I tried to stop her, she'd just threaten to go find Julian herself… I figured the Shepherds aren't even home today, so even if she went, it'd be for nothing. That's why I let her go."

"How do you know the Shepherds aren't home these days?" Winona's tone was wary, her eyes narrowed in confusion.

Mia sighed. "You've been out every day hunting down investors, so you haven't kept up with everything. In three days, Old Mrs. Shepherd—Felicity's grandmother, the old battle-axe who's always been Gran's rival—has her birthday."

Winona fell silent, caught off guard.

She remembered now. Old Mrs. Shepherd's birthday was coming up. She'd even planned to corner Julian at the birthday celebration. But after Mia had given her the address for the charity gala, and she'd already gone to confront Julian and Felicity, she'd stopped thinking about the birthday party.

But Mia's reminder brought it all back.

"Old Mrs. Shepherd isn't celebrating her birthday at home?" Winona asked.

"Because Julian is such a prized son-in-law, and Felicity's done so well for herself, the Shepherds are going all out this year. Instead of hosting the party at home, they rented out the Highland Retreat at Serpent's Peak. They've already gone up there to prepare—left three days early, even. Word is, Julian's pulled every string he's got and invited half of Greenwood City's elite."

Winona couldn't find any words.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Mia suddenly burst out, stomping her foot. "For God's sake! I could just scream! Julian is Gran's grandson-in-law. Gran's! So why does Old Mrs. Shepherd get to enjoy all his attention? Gran's the real matriarch he should be doting on!"

Winona couldn't help but cringe at the way Mia phrased it.

Every other word, she's cursing. Who exactly is she mad at, anyway?

On the anniversary of her marriage to Old Mr. Shepherd. On the birthday and death anniversary of the son she'd lost in infancy. On the wedding day of the old man and his new wife—Old Mrs. Shepherd.

Any day she could remember, she'd go and stand outside the Shepherds' house, waiting and hoping.

Sometimes she'd wait for days on end.

Her cloudy eyes would fill with tears, the corners raw and red from weeping.

Every time they came back, Winona would grumble, "Gran, can't we have a little dignity? Please? Let's not go stand outside the Shepherds' mansion anymore. If you want a big house, I'll buy you one. If you want a housekeeper, I'll hire you one. Okay?"

And every time, Gran would wail, "Nona, why hasn't their whole family just dropped dead already? Why are they all still alive? Isn't my granddaughter's husband richer and more powerful than any of them? I'll go tell him about all the wrongs I've suffered, and he'll make them pay for me…"

Whenever she heard Gran say things like that, Winona could only comfort her. "Gran, I'll take care of you. I won't let anyone mistreat you ever again. Let's stop holding grudges, alright? It's not good for your health. If you stay strong, you'll outlive that old man and his mistress, and let them see you're the one who's still standing."