The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 59

Brianna strode down the corridor with a designer handbag—one of Jotham’s latest gifts—slung over her shoulder. She balanced a thick stack of project documents in one hand and a takeaway coffee in the other, chatting amiably with the receptionist who walked beside her.

It was painfully obvious: she was here to pitch for investment too.

The moment she spotted Ramona, Brianna froze. Her eyes flickered with a complex mix of surprise and annoyance.

Over the past few days, Ramona had seemingly vanished, leaving the Holt Group in chaos. Jotham was running himself ragged, and even the rest of the Holt family had begun meddling, stirring up trouble for everyone.

Brianna had assumed Ramona was off doing something dramatic… but hiding out here, working on her own project?

Did Ramona actually think she could strike out on her own, without the Holt Group as her safety net?

The thought made Brianna snort with derision.

Ramona, pressed for time, had no interest in engaging with Brianna. She shot her a cold, dismissive glance, as if she were a perfect stranger.

“Ramona, you see your old advisor and can’t even say hello?” Brianna’s voice was light and unhurried, pitched just loud enough for everyone in the lobby to hear.

The manager accompanying Ramona, as well as Brianna’s own receptionist, both looked stunned.

Ramona was a VIP their boss had specifically instructed them to treat with utmost care—a guest personally requested by Mr. Jordon, no less.

No one really knew her background, but it was clear she was someone important. Had they not been warned to keep things discreet, half the building would be scrambling to serve her.

If someone was a friend of Ms. Jarrett, that automatically made her their VIP too.

Ramona had intended to ignore Brianna, but the manager beside her slowed his pace.

“Ms. Jarrett, do you know this woman?” he asked politely.

“Not really,” Ramona replied with a faint, chilly smile. “Times must be tough in this business if just anyone can claim to be someone’s advisor.”

Her words, delivered in a light, effortless tone, landed like a slap across Brianna’s face.

Brianna’s cheeks flushed red as she hurried to catch up with Ramona. “Ramona, what’s with the act? Oh, is it because you quit after fighting with Jotham, and now you’re too embarrassed to even talk to me?”

She forced a smile, trying to sound casual, but the hostility in her voice was unmistakable.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Jarrett!” the manager immediately broke into a cold sweat, signaling the receptionist to intervene.

The receptionist turned to Brianna. “Ms. Prescott, we’re going to have to ask you to leave for now.”

“Leave? Are you kidding me? Mr. Shaw invited me personally. I’m here to discuss a contract!”

Brianna’s face had gone pale, disbelief etched across her features.

How could Ramona’s word carry so much weight that she was being thrown out? Yes, maybe she’d lost her temper, but Ramona had provoked her first!

Still, not wanting to jeopardize her project, Brianna quickly tried to regain her composure. “I apologize. I let my personal feelings get in the way. But rest assured, this won’t affect our cooperation. Please take me to see Mr. Shaw.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Prescott,” the manager replied, voice polite but unyielding. “We’ll explain everything to Mr. Shaw. As for the contract, we never actually invited you here to sign anything. Mr. Shaw simply wanted to discuss the project with you. There’s a review process, and we’re still waiting for the results.”

He added, “In fact, we’ve recently received some negative reports about the Holt Group. As a precaution, we’ll notify you once the review is complete.”

His words were formal and polite, leaving her no room to argue.