The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 182

To save face, he’d only told everyone he’d argued with Ramona and got into a fight with the building’s security guard.

Even Brianna had no idea what he’d actually been through.

It wasn’t until now, when Jotham finally revealed what Ramona knew, that Brianna was so startled she nearly jumped.

If Ramona was aware of the truth, then she no longer had any leverage to threaten the Holt family, did she?

Jotham’s face was grim as he exhaled and went on, “She’s given us three days to hand over half the shares in Holt Group. If we don’t… she’ll go public about what happened between me and Brianna.”

“She’s lost her mind!” Winnie shrieked. “Does she really think our family is that easy to threaten? Since when can every nobody out there start eyeing our business?”

As she spat the words, she shot a pointed glare at Brianna.

Brianna’s face went chalk-white. Her lips parted, but in the end, she said nothing.

“No wonder,” Liliane muttered, head bowed, letting out a heavy sigh. Her brows were drawn tight with helpless frustration. “With her pride, it’s not surprising she’d strike back like this.”

She’d thought Ramona was just a spoiled girl, reckless because she’d been coddled. She never imagined Ramona had seen through everything.

If Ramona were still in the dark, there might’ve been room to maneuver. But now that she knew, there was no going back.

“Strike back? Just her?” Winnie was still indignant, her eyes suddenly flashing with malice. “If she thinks she can threaten us, maybe it’s time we stopped playing nice and—”

Brianna caught on immediately. “Mom!”

She was warning Winnie not to say it out loud, but she understood exactly what Winnie meant—getting rid of Ramona. That was the simplest solution to the Holt family’s current dilemma.

Jotham froze, then shot to his feet. “What are you thinking? Murder is a crime!”

“Of course, we can’t do anything illegal.” Winnie’s tone was dismissive, but her meaning was clear. “But accidents can happen…”

She glanced at Liliane, who kept her head down and said nothing, making it obvious she agreed.

“There’s no need to go that far,” Jotham argued, his voice tight. “Ramona… I don’t think she’ll really go to war with me.”

He couldn’t explain why, but just saying Ramona’s name made it impossible to stay calm.

She’d been ruthless, yes, even found some random man to get back at him. But whenever he thought of Ramona, it hurt to even breathe.

“Jotham, has Ramona gotten under your skin?” Brianna snapped, finally losing her patience. “She’s a snake. After everything you’ve done for her, she shouldn’t be stooping this low to get revenge. And you’re still soft on her?”

“Brianna, watch your mouth. Jotham has a conscience and knows where the line is, unlike you…” Winnie jumped to defend her son.

Ramona was a snake, sure, but Brianna wasn’t exactly innocent herself. She was just as ruthless.

That finally quieted Brianna.

Jotham’s gaze darkened as he looked at Winnie and Liliane.

“As for Ramona, I’ll handle her.”

He still hadn’t given up on Ramona. Before, he’d only wanted to get Ramona under control. But now… this time, he wanted to truly win her heart.

That night, Jotham sought out Griffin for another talk. The issue with Ramona couldn’t wait.

He was willing to give up all his own shares to scrape together enough to offer Ramona half the company.

Griffin was staunchly opposed, but after Jotham’s relentless pleading and promises, he finally wavered. “You’re that sure about her?”

“You can’t catch a wolf without risking the lamb.” Jotham’s tone was calm, almost calculating. “What Ramona and I had was real. She’s only lashing out because I hurt her so badly.”

Though Jotham sounded rational, Griffin felt a prickle of unease.

Jotham seemed to weigh everything with Brianna in terms of profit and loss, but with Ramona, someone he claimed not to love, he was willing to risk it all?

But plans never keep up with reality. The next morning, a group of unexpected visitors showed up at Holt Group’s doors.