The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 317

“Ramona! Ramona!” Liliane shouted, pushing past the security guards.

“Ma’am, please,” the head of security said, his face hardening. “We don’t want to use force, especially with someone of your age. The residents here value their privacy.”

“Residents? She’s my daughter-in-law! And this building was paid for with my son’s money!” Liliane shrieked, swinging her purse at him.

The guards, hesitant to touch an elderly woman, stumbled back.

Ramona heard her name being called and turned to see a security guard hurrying toward them.

“Ramona,” he said respectfully. “There’s an elderly woman at the gate… she claims to be your relative and is demanding to see you. What are your instructions?”

After Jotham’s last stunt, Ethan had instructed the building’s management to restrict all visitors. No one was to be let in without his or Ramona’s personal approval. If not for the woman’s age, they would have simply removed her.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “One of the Holts?”

“Jotham’s grandmother,” Ramona said with a sigh. “Tell her to leave. I don’t want to see her.”

“We’ve tried, ma’am. She’s very stubborn and is making a scene, saying some… unpleasant things. We’re concerned about the disturbance, but we’re hesitant to use force.”

“Then call the police…” Ramona began, but Ethan interrupted.

“Ramona, you’ve done well for yourself,” Liliane sneered, her eyes raking over Ethan. “Is this the boy toy you left Jotham for? Do you have any idea how much he’s suffering? He’s sick with grief because of you!”

“‘Boy toy’?” Ramona’s voice was dangerously quiet. “You should choose your words more carefully. This is my husband. And he is someone the Holts cannot afford to offend.”

She leaned into Ethan, a gesture of intimacy that only fueled Liliane’s rage.

“Husband? You and Jotham only separated a few months ago! You shameless, disloyal girl! I was so wrong about you! And him?” she spat, gesturing at Ethan. “The Holts can’t afford to offend him? What back-alley gigolo did you pick up? If you hadn’t ruined my family with your dirty tricks, he wouldn’t be standing here looking so pleased with himself. Do you really think the money you stole from us will last forever?”

“Are you finished?” Ramona’s voice was sharp, her patience finally snapping. “Jotham is a cheating, lying piece of filth, lower than any man you could find in a back alley. He is not fit to be mentioned in the same breath as my husband. And my husband is not a gigolo. We are equals, in love, and he is a brilliant, successful, and honorable man. Your entire family combined is not worth a single hair on his head.”