The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 419

"Miss Ophelia, please!" the maid panicked. "If you take that, what am I supposed to tell Mr. Powell?"

While the maid was distracted, Ophelia quickly yanked a strand of her own hair from her head and pressed it into the maid's hand. "Relax, I won't get you in trouble. Just give him this. I'll ask my dad what's going on myself later."

The maid sighed in relief, carefully wrapping the strand. "Thank you, Miss."

Winona stayed for a while longer to comfort Wynne before finally heading back to the hotel.

Ryder received the hair from the maid and immediately handed it off to his assistant to rush a DNA test.

Meanwhile, Ophelia took Winona's actual hair straight to a private testing facility.

She refused to believe it. There was no way Winona was actually that lucky. There was no way she was Wynne's biological daughter.

The next day, Wynne was tidying Ryder's study when she spotted a manila envelope on his desk. Inside was a DNA report comparing her to Winona.

The results were zero percent match.

Wynne's eyes dimmed.

Ryder pushed the door open, seeing her holding the papers. He sighed heavily. "I overstepped. I'm sorry. I saw the connection you two had and thought... maybe she was the one we've been looking for."

Wynne was entirely used to the crushing weight of disappointment. She forced a smile. She believed in her heart that her children were out there somewhere, waiting for her to find them.

Across town, Ophelia sat in her car outside the testing clinic, staring at the results in her hands.

Her pupils dilated in absolute shock.

It was impossible. Winona was...

A visceral, violent rage consumed her. She ripped the document to shreds, her chest heaving.

No one could ever find out about this. Absolutely no one.

*

With her work in the Capital wrapped up, Winona prepared to head back to Riverton.

Professor Bell's team insisted on hosting a farewell dinner for her at a high-end restaurant.

As Winona walked into the grand lobby with the team, they bumped into a man in a sharp grey suit who carried an undeniable air of authority. He stopped to chat with Professor Bell.

The group waited politely off to the side.

Suddenly, Winona felt eyes burning into her. She looked up toward the lounge area and locked eyes with Margaret.

Knowing Mrs. Goddard loathed her existence, Winona simply averted her gaze, pretending she hadn't seen her.

Once Professor Bell finished his conversation, they headed to their private dining room.

"You have a lot of nerve, little girl. You want him? What makes you think you're worthy of him? Stefan is a titan in this world. Do you even have the pedigree to stand beside him? If you think you're marrying into the Goddard family, you are completely delusional."

"I don't want to marry into the Goddard family," Winona replied flatly.

Margaret's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "So you're willing to just be his dirty little secret?"

"No," Winona corrected. "Stefan and I have already discussed this. When we get married, we will not live in the Goddard Manor. We will build our own life, entirely separate from your empire. I will happily sign a prenuptial agreement. I don't want a single cent of Goddard money."

Margaret stared at her, utterly astounded by her stupidity.

She scoffed. "Do you honestly believe that by rejecting the money, you get to marry Stefan with no strings attached? What do you think this family is? You have absolutely zero comprehension of what it means to be Stefan's wife!"

Winona had only come to return the check. The transaction was complete, and she had zero interest in being lectured.

Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out the door.

Margaret watched her leave, her blood pressure skyrocketing at the sheer disrespect.

Winona returned to her party, finished her dinner, and headed back to the hotel.

Stefan was already there. Seeing her sitting quietly on the sofa, looking slightly drained, he sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her. "What's wrong? We fly back to Riverton tomorrow. Aren't you happy?"

Winona looked up from her tablet. They had promised absolute honesty, so she told him everything.