The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 94

All eyes turned to the birthday matriarch. How could someone so dignified suddenly blurt out something so crude?

Someone couldn't help but mutter under their breath, "Look, she's wearing that festive red scarf—she's the host, so what's she so worked up about?"

Current Mrs. Shepherd fell silent, her expression unreadable.

Teague and Henrietta, meanwhile, couldn't hide the storm brewing on their faces.

Watching Winona stride in, radiant, poised, and brimming with confidence, their resentment flared so hot they wished they could slap her a hundred times over—anything to wipe that beautiful, defiant smile off her face.

How dare she!

How dare Winona outshine their daughter Felicity? How could she be more beautiful, more accomplished, more everything than Felicity?

Unacceptable.

Winona was supposed to stay tucked away in the countryside, forever at the mercy of some lonely old bachelor. That was the fate she deserved.

And yet, here she was, dazzling the whole room at the Shepherd family's grand celebration, eclipsing Felicity the moment she walked in.

Teague and Henrietta simply couldn't stand for it. Would not stand for it.

They were beside themselves with frustration, but even so, neither dared to openly challenge Yves Prescott.

In this crowd, only Julian stood as Yves Prescott's equal.

The couple glanced at Julian, silently pleading for him to intervene. But Julian looked more lost than they'd ever seen him—his eyes glued to Winona and Yves Prescott, his mind in utter turmoil.

Winona and Yves Prescott approached, stopping before the little group. Yves offered a warm, courteous greeting. "Hi, everyone, this is my companion for the evening, Miss Winona. And behind us, you'll find Miss Winona's family, just here to enjoy the festivities. After all, a birthday celebration should be lively, don't you agree?"

After exchanging pleasantries with the Shepherds, Winona and Yves slipped away from the family's awkward circle, her three "tagalongs" in tow, to mingle elsewhere among the guests.

Wherever they went, praise seemed to follow—admiration for Winona and her family echoed from every corner.

It was as if, for tonight, the real host of the party wasn't the current Mrs. Shepherd, but her predecessor.

After a round of socializing, a group of familiar guests pulled Yves Prescott aside, eager to get the inside scoop. "Wasn't she just that salesgirl everyone was gossiping about? How did she suddenly become your date?"

Meanwhile, Winona had barely settled onto a couch when Mia sidled over, eyes wide with excitement, voice low. "Winona, you're still not divorced from Julian, and now you show up with the only man in Greenwood City who could rival him. Are you planning on… keeping two husbands?"

Winona shot Mia a sideways look.

Then, with an exaggerated sigh and a roll of her eyes, she retorted, "That's right! I'm keeping two husbands!"