The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 47

Brianna’s perfectly made-up face twisted, her expression darkening.

So, just because Ramona wasn’t here, they couldn’t even be bothered to meet with her?

“Ramona’s been on leave lately, but I’m also a manager at Holt Group and more than capable of handling this project. If you have any doubts, feel free to take a look at my proposal.”

Jotham hadn’t even spoken yet when Brianna, unable to sit still, handed the proposal she’d stayed up late perfecting to the assistant.

The assistant hesitated for a moment, but accepted it out of courtesy.

Brianna was certain that once they saw what she was capable of, they’d regret treating her so coldly.

Jotham added, “Ramona isn’t the only outstanding employee on our team. Please let your CEO know that his trust in our company will not be misplaced.”

Seeing this, the assistant could only nod. “Very well, please wait a moment. I’ll go right now.”

Once the assistant left, Brianna slumped back into her seat, unable to hide her frustration.

“So it’s all about Ramona now? Since when do they choose partners based solely on one employee?”

Brianna didn’t believe for a second that Ramona was so uniquely talented.

Jotham explained, “Ramona’s got a reputation in the industry, sure, but we’re talking about similar data and proposals. Yet, somehow, if it’s handled by her, it’s always a guaranteed win.”

“Company profits are the result of everyone’s efforts, from every department. How did all the credit suddenly become Ramona’s alone?”

Jotham was just stating facts, but Brianna couldn’t accept it.

“Their CEO is a man, right? And all those clients who insist on working with Ramona—are they men, too?”

Jotham shot her a look. “Don’t start with that.”

“I’m not making it up. In business, especially in this industry, there’s no such thing as an unbeatable woman, only men who are easily swayed.”

“Brianna, when did you become so bitter?”

The disappointment in Jotham’s eyes caught Brianna off guard, making her realize she’d let her emotions get the better of her.

Before long, the office door opened again. It was the assistant, alone once more.

The assistant placed the stack of documents neatly back in front of Brianna.

“Mr. Shelton asked me to thank you for your hard work, but he insists that the project be handled personally by Ms. Ramona.”

He turned to Jotham. “Mr. Holt, Mr. Shelton also asked me to relay that if Ms. Ramona is truly unavailable, then we’ll have to put our collaboration with Holt Group on hold for now.”

“Why?” Brianna couldn’t hold back any longer. “What exactly am I lacking compared to Ramona?”

Jotham quickly reached over to steady her. “Could you ask Mr. Shelton why he insists on Ramona? If he doubts Brianna’s abilities, he’s welcome to check her credentials. She was Ramona’s advisor, the only female lecturer in the Department of Finance at Havencrest University.”

“Ms. Prescott, what are you doing?!”

Everyone was stunned, scrambling to save the computer, but it was too late.

“Oops, slipped out of my hands. But honestly, is this garbage proposal what Ramona’s been teaching you? The failure of a project isn’t just one person’s fault, it’s proof your entire team is incompetent.

Listen up: by nine o’clock tomorrow morning, I want a brand-new draft of every project you’re working on. If there’s a single error in the data or even a misplaced comma, your whole group can pack up and leave.”

With that, Brianna’s voice was cold as ice as she stalked away.

...

That afternoon, Ramona was sitting in the executive suite on the 37th floor of Covington Group, reviewing business reports.

Suddenly, her phone blew up with messages from her private department group chat at Holt. There were five people in the group—all talented young women she’d personally mentored. They’d always gotten along well.

“Ramona, when are you coming back? We seriously can’t take it here without you!”

“Yeah, Ramona, I might just quit tomorrow at this rate…”

“Doesn’t matter, honestly. If you’re not around, I don’t even want to work here anymore. You’re the reason I put in the effort in the first place.”

Reading these, Ramona’s brow furrowed in concern.