How to Train Your Ex-Billionaire novel Chapter 11

Only Zona Ward, the former prom queen, dared to approach him.

She'd pursued Yvan the hardest back in the day, only to find out his girlfriend was Winifred, the very girl she looked down on most.

She couldn’t believe the news back then, so she cornered Winifred on her way home from school one day.

“Winifred, I heard you're dating Yvan?”

Winifred hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”

Zona completely lost it.

How could that be? How could Yvan possibly like Winifred? She was a country bumpkin, dull and utterly boring.

“You're lying!” Zona said furiously. “How could Yvan like you? Did you start this rumor yourself just to be associated with him?”

Winifred shook her head. “I didn't.”

“Yes, you did! You're a liar!”

Zona lunged forward, grabbing Winifred's collar, ready to hit her.

Suddenly, a strong hand pushed Zona away, sending her staggering back.

Yvan shielded Winifred behind him, his face cold. “Zona, what do you think you're doing?”

“Yvan, Winifred said she's your girlfriend. Tell me it's not true,” Zona pleaded, looking at him with desperation.

“Of course it's true. Winifred is my girlfriend,” Yvan said coldly. “And Zona, I'm warning you, don't ever touch her again. Or you won't like the consequences.”

The prom queen had lost to the ugly duckling. Zona was utterly humiliated that day, a bitterness she could never quite swallow.

Fortunately, she later heard that Yvan and Winifred had broken up after only a short time.

Someone like Winifred? Yvan was probably just toying with her. How could he ever be serious about her?

Zona felt a little more at peace with that thought.

Over the years, she'd dated a few guys, but none of them ever measured up to Yvan.

Now that Yvan was finally back in the country, and single, she knew she had to seize this chance.

“Here, Yvan. It's been years. Let me raise a glass to you,” Zona said, lifting her wine.

Yvan gave her a fleeting glance. “Sorry, I drove. I can't drink.”

Zona’s face stiffened, and she lowered her glass.

“Yvan, you've been gone for years. Zion has changed so much. Have you had a chance to look around? If you'd like, I could be your tour guide.”

Ignoring the fact that he'd just told Zona he couldn't drink because he was driving, he poured a glass of whiskey and downed it in one go.

Zona saw this, and a sour feeling churned in her stomach.

Was he really that repulsed by her? Unwilling to give her even the slightest chance?

After a few more drinks, a throbbing started in his temples, and the old ache in his tooth flared up.

The room was buzzing with chatter and laughter, a lively scene.

But to Yvan, it was just noise. He rubbed his brow and abruptly stood up.

“I have something to take care of, so I'm heading out.”

He made his announcement and left in a hurry before anyone could try to stop him.

Ron started to go after him, but stopped when he saw Zona was already on her feet, following Yvan out the door.

“Yvan, wait.”

Zona caught up to Yvan in the hallway.

“What is it?” Yvan asked, tugging impatiently at his tie.