The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 98

At the party, at least five or six successful men asked Mia for her number, each hoping to win her over.

Mia was positively giddy, torn between all her options and unsure whom to choose.

Meanwhile, Helga Perkins—Old Mrs. Shepherd, the ex-wife—acted like the real hostess of the birthday celebration.

She accepted everyone's flattery with shameless ease, chatting and laughing as people vied for her attention.

Now and then, she would glance back at the current Mrs. Shepherd, who was so furious she kept clutching her chest.

Today's birthday star, the present Old Mrs. Shepherd, looked downright green with envy and rage.

Seeing his wife in such a state, Old Mr. Shepherd barely dared to move, sitting stiff and silent at her side.

Every so often, he'd steal a furtive glance at his ex-wife—the woman he hadn't spoken to in fifty years. But he didn't dare let his eyes linger.

Having his former wife appear at his current wife's birthday celebration dredged up a flood of memories for Old Mr. Shepherd.

More than fifty years ago, he'd been a penniless drifter, nearly frozen to death on the side of the road. It was Helga Perkins's father who found him, brought him home, and gave him a meal.

Helga's father was a bricklayer, while the Perkins family's traditional craft was carpentry. Helga's father and grandfather asked him which trade he wanted to learn—bricklaying or carpentry.

Though Old Mr. Shepherd had been a beggar, he was worldly and quick-thinking. He could already see that the country was booming, with construction booming everywhere. He chose to learn bricklaying.

After marrying Helga Perkins, he took a small crew from the countryside to the city, working as bricklayers.

He was clever and learned quickly; within two years, he'd assembled his own construction team. Three years after that, he started his own company.

It was then that he met his current wife—a university graduate, trained in architecture.

They fell in love at first sight.

They shared the same ambitions, the same vision for the future. And they truly loved each other.

But his wife wouldn't allow it. He could only watch Helga from afar, stealing glances when he thought no one noticed.

Helga, meanwhile, wandered happily through the party, hand-in-hand with the little deaf boy. At seventy, she was as carefree as a child.

When the party ended, her backpack—empty when she'd arrived—was now stuffed full.

She took Zane by the hand and approached Winona, beaming. "Time to go home, sweetheart, don't you think?"

"Yes, Grandma, it's time," Winona replied fondly.

She stood, slipped her arm through Yves Prescott's, and strode confidently over to the Shepherds to say goodbye.

No matter how sour the Shepherds looked, Winona didn't turn back. She nestled against Yves, and he wrapped a protective arm around her as they walked out, never once glancing over their shoulders.

"Winona!" Just as they reached the doorway, Julian suddenly called out from behind.