The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 165

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Winona whipped her head around, startled, and saw Yves Prescott climbing out of his car just a short distance away.

Yves strode over with determined steps, reached Winona in a heartbeat, and, without hesitation, snatched the imitation pocketknife from her grasp, slipping it into the pocket of his trench coat. Then he wrapped his arms around her in a fierce, protective embrace.

Only then did he notice her tear-streaked face.

"Winona, let's go home. I'm taking you home," he said, his deep voice warm and steady.

Right then, Winona's heart was a tangled mess of fear, anger, and loneliness. But the sound of Yves's voice washed over her, and for the first time in hours, she felt a glimmer of safety.

Yves Prescott had a notorious reputation throughout Greenwood City—ruthless, unpredictable, a man people whispered about and rarely confronted. But in all the time Winona had spent with him, Yves had never once forced her into anything. If anything, he'd always been the one helping her.

Just a few days ago, outside the courthouse, she'd agreed to work with him to take on Julian. It had been a business arrangement, clear-cut and on her terms. Yves hadn't laid a finger on her since. He'd told her, "Winona, I have no shortage of women in my life. I'll never make you do something you don't want to."

And now, looking around at the so-called upright citizens who had cornered her today, Winona realized that Yves—dangerous reputation and all—was far more decent than any of them.

"Yves Prescott…" Winona's voice trembled, thick with injustice and hurt. "I didn't do anything to them. I never have. I never got in their way, but… but they still… they still bullied me…" She broke down, sobbing like a child, the last of her defenses crumbling.

"I know. I know, sweetheart. Get in the car, take a moment to calm down. I'll handle the rest," Yves said, guiding her firmly but gently into the back seat of his Rolls-Royce.

He closed the door and locked it, making sure she was safe, before pulling out his phone. "Someone come get Winona's car and drive it back to her apartment complex," he instructed.

Once everything was arranged, Yves methodically took out a gray handkerchief and carefully wiped Winona's imitation pocketknife clean, making sure to remove every trace.

Only after all that did he turn his attention back to the group that had surrounded Winona.

Mackenzie was still sprawled on the ground.