The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 119

Liliane let out a derisive snort and raised her hand, silencing the angry retort that was about to spill from Winnie’s lips.

“Jotham, I’m giving you one week to get rid of that woman. And one more thing, tell her to leave the country immediately, and never set foot in Havencrest City again. Not ever.”

“Otherwise…” A cold, ruthless gleam flickered in Liliane’s cloudy eyes. “She’d better be prepared to never see her son again for the rest of her life.”

At those words, something seemed to click for Jotham. He froze, then shot a glance at Winnie. “You took Milo?”

He reached for his phone, ready to call, but Winnie cut him off with a frosty tone. “Don’t bother. As long as Brianna leaves quietly, I’ll make sure Milo and she are reunited in a year. I have no intention of raising her son myself.”

“But if she insists on clinging to you, Milo will be sent somewhere she’ll never find him. And she, her family, and even the Prescotts, had better be ready for a lifetime of war with the Holts...”

“Grandma, I promise I won’t see Brianna again!” Jotham’s voice was thick with anger and helplessness. “But Milo is just a child I adopted. He’s young. You shouldn’t involve him…”

“Jotham, it’s too late for that, and I have no intention of investigating any further.” Liliane clutched the armrest, swallowing hard. “I don’t want to see that woman again. The Holt family name can’t be tainted by some dubious child or an underhanded woman. Do what you have to do, but make your choice.”

With that, Liliane didn’t spare Jotham another glance. She stood, and the housekeeper immediately helped her away.

Knowing Liliane couldn’t be swayed, Jotham turned to Winnie in desperation. “Mom! Where did you take Milo?”

“I have no idea. Liliane’s people handled it. Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you. But don’t worry, the Holts won’t harm a child. If you want to see Milo sooner, just do what Liliane says.”

Watching Jotham’s anguish, Winnie felt more exasperated than ever, but a pang of sympathy crept in.

Just look at what Brianna’s done to her son. Raising someone else’s child and getting so attached!

“Mom, actually, Milo—” Jotham’s face flushed red with anxiety. He almost blurted out the truth, but under Winnie’s probing gaze, he bit his tongue and held back.

“What about Milo?” Winnie eyed him suspiciously. “Are you hiding something else from me?”

“Milo can’t be left alone… If something happens to him, what then?” Jotham’s hands balled into fists, his voice low and strained.

“If something happens, it’s Brianna’s fault. Besides, wasn’t Milo raised in an orphanage? He’ll be fine for a while with someone looking after him. It’s not like he’ll just drop dead, will he?”

Her words cut Jotham to the core.

As long as the boy needed her, Jotham would come back, sooner or later.

She straightened her pajamas, slipped off her jacket to reveal a camisole dress, and finally opened the door.

“What brings you here tonight? Aren’t you afraid your family will find out?” she teased, her voice soft and inviting, every word laced with subtle seduction.

But Jotham wasn’t in the mood. He shot Brianna a look, then strode straight inside and collapsed onto the couch, silent for a long minute.

“Rough day? Is it work?” Brianna ventured, sitting beside him and immediately noticing the strong smell of smoke.

Jotham hardly ever smoked. She didn’t like it.

“You’ve been smoking?” she asked, reaching for his jacket out of habit, but Jotham caught her wrist in a tight grip.

“Brianna, you may need to leave the country for a while.”

“Leave? Why?”