The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 273

Because Mr. Sterling despised his late wife's artwork, *Bird in a Cage* had been relegated to a forgotten, unmonitored corner of the gallery.

Simone wasn't one to jump to conclusions, nor did she enjoy getting involved in petty drama. She turned to Blythe. "Without footage, it's a he-said-she-said situation. Why don't we all just take a step back and drop it?"

Desperate to leave a good impression on her prospective daughter-in-law, Blythe immediately smoothed her features. "Of course. If you say so, Ms. Sterling, I'll let it slide."

Then, noticing the painting Winona had been staring at, Blythe sneered. "Have you even been to a place this high-class before, Winona? What do you know about art? With all the masterpieces in this room, you're standing here staring at this worthless, no-name trash. It's actually pathetic."

In galleries, the prime real estate was always reserved for world-renowned pieces. The dusty corners were for the rejects.

Blythe completely missed the way Simone's face went deadpan with fury.

Tallulah chimed in, eager to back her mother up. "Mom, Winona isn't part of our world. She wouldn't know real art if it hit her in the face." She wanted Simone to know that Winona was beneath them, trash that didn't deserve any courtesy.

Simone's expression turned glacial. She turned to the staff member beside her. "Escort these two out of the building."

The staff member immediately stepped toward Blythe and Tallulah. "Ladies, please come with me."

Blythe stared at Simone in shock. "Ms. Sterling, why are you kicking us out?"

The one who should be thrown out was Winona!

Simone's voice was sharp enough to cut glass. "That painting was done by my mother. I will not tolerate anyone insulting her work in my gallery. Since it offends your delicate sensibilities so much, you can leave."

Blythe's jaw dropped. In her attempt to suck up to her future daughter-in-law, she had completely nuked her own plan.

She opened her mouth to backpedal, but the security guard gave them no room to argue. Humiliated, Blythe and Tallulah were practically shoved out the door.

Once they were gone, Simone turned to Winona, her anger softening into guilt. "I'm so sorry. I should have believed you immediately and thrown them out the second they started trouble."

Judging by how vile the mother and daughter were, Simone had no doubt they had been the aggressors.

But Maeve just smiled—a terrifyingly sweet, unhinged smile. "Ms. Jowett. What a pleasure. I'm Stefan's ex-fiancée. We must have crossed paths so many times by now."

Maeve took a slow step forward, her eyes wild with a manic gleam. "Stealing another woman's man... does it make you feel powerful?"

A shiver crawled down Winona's spine.

Suddenly, a heavy, warm arm wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her flush against a solid chest. The familiar, clean scent of expensive cologne washed over her.

"What the hell are you doing here, Maeve?" Stefan's low, dangerous voice rumbled right beside her ear.

The terror gripping Winona's chest instantly melted away with his presence.

Seeing Stefan holding Winona, Maeve's face twisted in agony. "Stefan, stop parading these cheap sluts around to make me jealous! I know you still love me! I'm the only woman you ever got engaged to. Tell me the truth—why did we break up? Who's forcing you to do this?"