The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 19

But his mother’s temper was fierce, and Eulalia was always stirring up trouble. If he insisted on making them apologize to Ramona, the whole house would be turned upside down.

“Ramona, you know how Mom is. As for her apologizing…”

Jotham gritted his teeth and decided to stall for time, hoping to calm Ramona down first. After all, the company’s situation was his top priority right now.

“I believe people can change, Jotham. For my sake—and for the company’s—I hope you’ll really think this through,” Ramona said. She didn’t hesitate; she hung up and turned off her phone.

When Jotham tried calling back, he found her phone was already off. He yanked at his tie, a surge of anger burning in his chest.

Brianna was right. He really had spoiled Ramona too much. How could she throw a tantrum over something this important?

Furious, Jotham made no move to chase after her. Did she really think the company couldn’t go public without her?

But to his surprise, Ramona had barely left that morning when the company’s group chat exploded that afternoon.

Three major partners had just canceled their deals with Holt Group; the shareholders were livid.

Jotham rushed into the office and called an emergency meeting. The problem was quickly identified—a product launch announcement had gone awry the day before.

Ramona had been overseeing the launch, but at that critical time, she’d been stuck on the phone with his family.

Jotham was left speechless.

Just then, Winnie called again. Without thinking, he hurled his phone across the room.

Everyone jumped. The assistant hurried over, trembling as she picked up the phone.

Jotham waved dismissively, ending the meeting. He took a long moment to collect himself before grabbing his coat and heading home.

Eulalia, after a spat with Flynn, had gone back to her mother’s, and now she and Winnie were plotting how to “teach Ramona a lesson.” They wanted to put her in her place.

When the housekeeper announced Jotham’s arrival, both women exchanged smug looks. They lifted their chins, certain Jotham had brought Ramona to apologize.

But when the door opened, only Jotham walked in, his expression dark as a thundercloud.

He didn’t even glance at them, striding straight to the study and shutting the door behind him.

Half an hour later, Jotham emerged with his father, Griffin Holt, by his side.

Suddenly Griffin spoke up, tossing a folder to Winnie. “The riverside villa in your name, and Eulalia’s trust fund? Both are frozen as of today. They’ll be released once you’ve apologized to your daughter-in-law.”

“Mom, I hope from now on you’ll keep Eulalia in line. No matter how spoiled she is, she can’t risk the company’s future.”

That villa was Winnie’s pride in her social circle, and Eulalia’s trust fund was her leverage over Flynn. Without those, they’d lose all standing in the Holt family.

Eulalia panicked, tears springing to her eyes. “Dad! You can’t do this. I just had a baby…”

“Holt money can support the idle, but not the foolish,” Griffin said coldly. “Either apologize to your sister-in-law, or get out of the family home. Your choice.”

Winnie’s hands shook. She looked at Jotham’s granite profile, then at Griffin’s unyielding stare.

Only now did she realize that not only had their attempt to put Ramona in her place backfired, but she and her daughter had managed to enrage both her husband and her son, suffering a heavy penalty for it.

In the end, teeth clenched, Winnie ordered the housekeeper to dial Ramona’s number. On the phone, her apology came out stiff and metallic, as if she were forcing rusty gears to turn: “I’m sorry.”

Eulalia, sobbing, managed only a choked, “I shouldn’t have bothered you at work.”

When the call ended, a heavy silence fell over the living room. Winnie stared out the window, her eyes brimming with hatred, her resentment toward Ramona practically tangible.