The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 160

“Milo, you need to show some respect to your elders. When you see them, you should say hello instead of acting so stubborn,” Liliane chided gently, signaling for the maid to let him go.

But Milo just turned his head away and darted straight behind Brianna. He stayed silent, making it clear he had no intention of accepting Liliane’s kindness.

Seeing Liliane arrive, Brianna’s tense expression finally eased a little.

“It seems we’re disturbing you,” she said, her voice cool. “Honestly, nothing much happened today, but it feels like Mom is constantly dissatisfied with me. If this keeps up, I just don’t know how I’m supposed to keep living here.”

A sharp glint flickered in her eyes as she turned her face, deliberately showing the bright red mark on her cheek.

Liliane stayed composed, simply turning to look at Winnie. She didn’t even need to ask to know that the two of them had clashed over some trivial nonsense again.

Ever since Brianna moved in, she and Winnie had managed to get into several arguments each day. With Griffin’s orders looming over them, Winnie could only hold back so much before running to Liliane for help.

Liliane and Griffin were on the same page: even if they didn’t favor Brianna, they weren’t going to take Winnie’s side either.

This blow-up was something Liliane had seen coming a mile away.

“Mom! The whole problem is that some people just don’t know their place. I’ve put up with enough already. What, is she going to keep picking at me until I’m the one forced to move out?” Winnie drew in a shaky breath, so angry her mind felt like it was spinning.

Back when Ramona was here, no matter how much she annoyed Winnie, Ramona never openly challenged her—never fought back like this! Every daughter-in-law endures a little unfairness, but Brianna? That woman even encourages the child to disrespect her!

“But you struck her. That’s not right, no matter what,” Liliane sighed, her gaze flicking aside, refusing to look at either Brianna or meet Winnie’s pleading eyes.

“I—”

“Just apologize to Brianna. We’re family. Next time, talk things through calmly,” Liliane cut her off, her tone dropping, making it clear this was not up for discussion.

Winnie had been married into the Holt family for half her life, always quick-tempered and never one to back down. This was the first time she’d been driven to tears from sheer frustration.

The staff all kept their eyes down; Brianna tilted her chin up with smug satisfaction, as if all her years of being slighted had finally been vindicated.

“Mom, I never wanted an apology, but your temper was out of line. You frightened Milo. For your grandson’s sake, you should set a good example. When you’re wrong, you admit it,” Brianna said softly, her words gentle but landing like a slap.

Winnie clenched her jaw so tightly she thought her teeth might break, but she couldn’t withstand Liliane’s quiet clearing of her throat.

Whenever she and Winnie butted heads, Ramona had always sensed her mood, finding little ways to coax her back into good spirits. No matter how poorly Winnie handled things, with Ramona around, everything at home somehow stayed orderly and peaceful.

...

That evening, Jotham got a tearful phone call from his mother before he even made it home. The moment he walked in, he went straight to Winnie’s bedroom.

Winnie had taken ill that afternoon. The doctor had already been by and said the stress had inflamed her heart, and she needed complete rest.

“Mom, it’s not worth getting so worked up. Your health matters most,” Jotham said, seeing her lying there pale and frail. The sight filled him with a mix of fury and helplessness.

He’d felt powerless when he first heard about the fight between his mother and Brianna. But seeing Winnie, who had always been so strong, in such a sorry state, he couldn’t help but feel wretched.

“You never really cared about me anyway… Raising a son is just suffering. Serves me right, I guess,” Winnie mumbled as soon as Jotham entered, turning her head away as tears streamed down her face.

His heart twisted. “How could you say that, Mom? I care about you more than anything. I know I haven’t been a good son, but please don’t be angry with me. Just focus on getting better. Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

“Then I want you to divorce Brianna!” Winnie shot back the instant he finished speaking.