The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 50

A moment later, Milo’s cries echoed from upstairs. “Ms. Prescott… please… help me!” His wailing was desperate, thick with fear.

Winnie had never had much patience for the adopted child. Afraid he’d get in the way, she’d ordered the staff to lock him in his room the moment she arrived.

But as soon as Milo heard Brianna was home, he’d gone wild, trying to bolt out the door. The housekeeper barely managed to keep him from escaping.

Winnie rolled her eyes in utter exasperation. “Are you all completely useless? You can’t even keep a child under control! The noise is unbearable. Shut him up, now!”

“We’re sorry, Madam!” The staff, terrified of Winnie, immediately bowed their heads and apologized.

Without hesitation, they clamped a hand over Milo’s mouth and dragged him, kicking and struggling, back into his room.

“Winnie, it’s one thing for you to bully me, but how can you treat a child like that?” Brianna’s temper flared as she saw Milo being manhandled. She rushed forward to stop the staff.

But Winnie stepped in front of her, surprisingly strong. She shoved Brianna to the floor with a single, forceful push.

“Jotham is my son. In this house, you’re nothing but an outsider—worse, a shameless woman who seduced her own student!” Winnie spat the words with venom, her restraint finally snapping.

Ever since she found out Brianna had moved in with Jotham, Winnie had wanted nothing more than to tear her apart. After all these years, why wouldn’t she just disappear? Did she want to ruin the Holt family and leave Jotham with nothing?

“Winnie! Jotham and I love each other. What right does your family have to tear us apart—”

Smack! Before Brianna could finish, Winnie slapped her hard across the other cheek, leaving both sides of her face burning and swollen.

“Get out of this house. Right now! I don’t care what scheme you’re plotting, if I see you anywhere near Jotham again, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you disappear from Havencrest City!”

As Winnie’s furious threat echoed through the foyer, the front door banged open—Jotham had just returned.

He’d taken a call in the garage, running late, and hadn’t expected to find his mother here.

Jotham hated his family’s interference. Unless it was an emergency, the Holts never came over without warning, and even then, they’d call ahead and ask him to visit them. That was precisely why he’d dared to bring Brianna back into his life.

“That’s enough. I want her gone. Now. If you don’t send her away this minute, I’ll call your father and grandmother and have them throw her out themselves!” Winnie’s tone made it clear there was no room for negotiation.

Seeing Winnie reach for her phone, Jotham’s face hardened. “Fine. I’ll take her away right now.”

“Jotham…” Brianna’s whole body trembled, her tears frozen in her eyes.

“Brianna, please… go pack your things.” Jotham’s voice was low, resigned. He had made his decision.

Brianna glanced at Winnie, who sat on her throne, radiating triumph; at Jotham, who had once again chosen the path of least resistance; and at the house staff, who peered from the corners, eager for gossip. Her dignity was crushed beneath their feet.

Jaw clenched, Brianna hurried upstairs to pack. She didn’t have much—just a few essentials, which she tossed into a bag.

As she passed Milo’s room on her way out, she shot the staff a withering glare. “Milo is the Holt family’s son. If any of you lay a finger on him, the family won’t forgive you.”