The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 58

"When on earth did you transform into a bleeding-heart philanthropist? Must have missed the memo."

Sylvia completely talked over her, her voice dripping with cruel sarcasm.

Ever since their ugly public fallout, Sylvia had entirely dropped her innocent façade.

Whenever Jillian was around, Sylvia made a point of looking down her nose at her, relishing every ounce of her superior status.

But no matter how vile Sylvia acted, Killian never showed an ounce of disgust.

He loved her. Therefore, whatever she did was fundamentally correct.

The reality of the situation was sickeningly brutal.

Mallory had publicly shredded Sylvia into pieces, yet in Killian's eyes, Sylvia remained a pristine, unblemished goddess.

Jillian completely tuned out Sylvia's mockery. She knew perfectly well that Killian was the only one who held the power to stop this.

"I have zero interest in any of that," Killian stated icily.

Jillian balled her hands into fists, her nails biting into her palms.

It was painfully obvious. A man who ruthlessly clawed his way to the top of a cutthroat dynasty wouldn't be swayed by minor sob stories.

In his eyes, anything and anyone could be sacrificed for leverage.

Especially a group of nameless, faceless orphans who held no strategic value to his empire.

Sure, he made charitable donations in the past. Tossing millions into a foundation was child's play for him.

But that didn't equate to an ounce of actual kindness. He simply had an infinite bankroll, and his elite status required him to occasionally buy a little good PR.

"When Connor was chronically ill, you donated everywhere just to earn good karma for his survival. Those children are the exact same age as Connor—"

"If you're so desperate to play the saint, then go play the saint." Killian's patience snapped. He turned sharply on his heel to leave.

Jillian let out a heavy sigh in her heart. She had played all her cards. There was absolutely nothing else she could do.

She turned around, ready to walk away.

"Hold it right there!" Sylvia suddenly shrieked.

"Jillian, I heavily suspect you just stole from me." Sylvia crossed her arms smugly.

Jillian merely glanced back, staring at Sylvia as if she had completely lost her mind.

She hadn't even come within ten feet of the woman. How could she possibly have stolen anything from across the room?

Jillian rolled her eyes and turned back around to leave.

Jillian met Killian's gaze dead-on, refusing to waver.

Killian stood there with his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression a mask of absolute, chilling indifference.

He lazily pointed a finger at the shopping bags in Jillian's hands.

"Dump them out. Let's see."

Jillian's chest heaved violently as humiliating tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

He knew damn well Sylvia was just manufacturing drama, yet he still ruthlessly took her side.

Instantly, a bodyguard snatched the bags right out of Jillian's hands, marched over to the glass counter, and aggressively dumped the contents everywhere.

Watching the staff ruthlessly paw through the little girl's underwear and socks ignited a violent, uncontrollable rage inside Jillian.

"Why stop at the bags? Didn't you demand a strip search?"

Sylvia completely froze, caught off guard. "What?"

Jillian strode forcefully across the room, stopping inches away from Killian.

"I demand that this man search me personally. And when he finds absolutely nothing, Ms. Xavier will issue a public apology on the spot."