The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 266

"Jotham!" Eulalia cried out, her heart aching at the sight of her brother's battered state. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

Jotham had just received an injection and was sitting dejectedly by the emergency room entrance, pressing a cotton ball to the injection site.

Two hours earlier, just after he had been separated from Ramona, a group of men had stormed into their private room.

In the ensuing chaos, they had overpowered the bar's security, locked the door, and then, like rabid dogs, had started smashing bottles and attacking everyone in sight.

The bar staff couldn't get in, and the scene had devolved into utter chaos before someone finally called the police.

By the time the police arrived, the assailants were gone. The police and the bar's staff had accompanied them to the hospital and taken their statements.

Based on their descriptions, the police suspected a local debt-collection gang, but these groups were notoriously fluid, and the attackers had worn masks. Even with security footage, it would be difficult to identify them.

The police could only file a report, offer some words of reassurance, and leave.

Jotham looked up, his vision blurring for a moment.

He remembered another time, back in college, when he had been out drinking with friends. A fight had broken out, and he had ended up in the hospital then, too. Ramona had rushed over as soon as she got the call, still in her pajamas, with a coat thrown over them.

"Jotham, what were you thinking? Can't you just stay out of trouble? Are you hurt? Let me see!"

The memory of her voice, her worried face, flashed before his eyes. Then his vision cleared, and he saw Eulalia kneeling beside him.

Her face was etched with concern. Seeing his dazed expression, she worried he had been beaten senseless.

With their father in his current state, if something happened to Jotham too... what would become of their family?

Just then, a few of his friends emerged from the treatment rooms, grumbling about their bad luck but still asking after Jotham.

Jotham tried to stand, but a sharp pain shot through his leg, and he couldn't get up.

"Easy, Jotham," Eulalia said, supporting him.

"Jotham, I can't believe this happened. We have the worst luck," said the friend who had organized the party, his wife helping him stand.

"Exactly. Who hasn't made mistakes? Even heroes fall for a pretty face. You're just... passionate."

"I can see you're sincere about Ramona. You treated her well for all those years. If she's going to be this cold, maybe it's time to let her go..."

Their words of comfort filled the air. Eulalia quickly pieced together what had happened. Realizing Ramona was once again at the center of her brother's troubles, she exploded. "Is that woman ever going to stop? I've never seen such a venomous, spiteful shrew!"

"Eulalia! Shut up!"

Even in his dazed state, Jotham's voice was sharp. He couldn't think straight. The pain in his heart was overwhelming, sucking the life out of him.

No matter how much Ramona hurt him, he couldn't let her go. And he couldn't stand to hear anyone speak ill of her.

"Jotham..." Eulalia's eyes welled up with tears. She had been defending him, and he had yelled at her.

"Hey, don't blame your sister, Jotham. She's just worried about you. If you ask me, you and Ramona are meant to be. The only person to blame for this mess is Brianna. She's the one who seduced you with ill intentions!"

A man spoke up, trying to ease the tension. He remembered Brianna's friends asking around about Jotham back in the day. It had always seemed suspicious.