The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 17

“I’m old enough as it is, and now I have to be lectured by my own daughter-in-law? I might as well die of embarrassment! Who does she think she is? If it weren’t for your insistence on marrying her, do you really think someone like that would ever be allowed into the Holt family?”

Winnie, seeing that Jotham remained unmoved, turned around and began beating her chest in melodramatic despair.

Jotham, exasperated, finally sighed and gave in. He promised his mother that he’d go and talk some sense into Ramona, and that he’d bring her over to apologize to Eulalia in person.

As soon as he left Eulalia’s house, Jotham called Ramona.

It took ages before she finally picked up, and when she did, Jotham’s tone was far from friendly. “Are you home yet?”

“No, I’m still meeting with a client. Why?”

At that moment, Ramona was seated at the dining table in Fenton’s home, a maid standing nearby cutting her a perfect slice of prime veal steak.

She made no effort to step away as she answered the call. Fenton immediately caught on and gave a subtle signal; in moments, everyone else excused themselves and left the table.

“My mother and Eulalia tried to see you today. You didn’t show up?” Jotham asked bluntly.

Ramona smirked. “That’s right.”

“Ramona, she’s my mother. Even if her temper isn’t the best, you should try to be patient with her. And Eulalia—she just had a baby, her emotions are all over the place. There’s no need to stoop to her level…”

Jotham’s voice was still gentle, but there was a clear undercurrent of blame.

He didn’t fully believe the accusations his mother and Eulalia had leveled at Ramona, but with all the commotion at home, and with Eulalia threatening divorce, he knew his father would hold him responsible. On top of the headaches at work lately, it was all just too much.

So, without even asking Ramona for her side of things, he began issuing instructions.

“Here’s what we’ll do. Tell me where you are. When you’re done, I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go see my mother and Eulalia together. Let’s just clear the air and put this whole thing to rest.”

Jotham liked to think he was looking out for Ramona’s best interests.

After all, if Winnie kept stewing and Eulalia kept making a fuss, Ramona would probably be summoned home for a full-on family intervention.

Listening to Jotham, Ramona nearly laughed out loud.

But after a moment, she decided not to refuse him directly. Instead, she casually sent him an address—one that was nowhere near her actual location.

She ended the call, set down her fork, and dabbed at the corner of her mouth. She’d nearly finished eating anyway.

“Trouble?” Fenton finally spoke, swirling his wine with an amused, dismissive air.

He wasn’t the type to pry into other people’s business, certainly not Ramona’s. But as someone with plenty of experience, he knew that when it came to women, most ‘trouble’ boiled down to relationships.

“No need for you to worry. I can handle it—just a minor issue,” Ramona replied, thanking Fenton for the dinner invitation as she rose from her seat.

Fenton walked her to the parking garage, reminding her not to forget about the event tomorrow night.

Now that Ramona had just inherited her family’s assets, she needed to introduce herself to the shareholders. As it happened, the Covington family was hosting a small business dinner the following evening—a perfect opportunity.

Still, he couldn’t help but think Ramona must be just as tired, running around on business for his company. Maybe, just maybe, she deserved some slack for blowing off his mother and Eulalia.

He realized he’d been too harsh with her, and resolved that when he saw her, he’d try to smooth things over.

He didn’t know how long he’d dozed off, but suddenly his phone lit up. Thinking it was Ramona, he hurried to answer.

But it was Brianna’s voice on the other end: “Jotham, it’s so late. Why aren’t you home yet? Is something wrong?”

Her voice was full of worry.

“Nothing major, just finishing up some work,” Jotham replied, rubbing his temples, surprised to realize he’d actually fallen asleep in the car.

He didn’t want Brianna to get drawn into the family mess, so he offered a vague excuse.

“It’s two in the morning. You’re still working?” Brianna’s disbelief snapped him fully awake.

He glanced at the clock—when he’d arrived it was barely eight, and now it was already two. How had the hours disappeared so quickly?

A sinking feeling hit him. He mumbled a few more words and hung up.

Ramona still hadn’t replied. When he tried calling again, her phone was switched off.

Frustration surged through him as he drove home. But when he checked Ramona’s room, the door was shut tight and not a sliver of light escaped from inside.