Empire 10

This chapter makes a quiet but clear adjustment to the story. Small choices and brief pauses point the plot in a new direction. The shift is steady, not loud, and it sets up what comes next.

A few actions and reactions stand out. A held-back answer, a quick decision, or a look that lingers changes how characters see each other. These beats feel small now but carry weight forward.

Emotions sit just under the surface. The tone shows doubt, hope, or pressure even when the words stay measured. What is not said guides the scene as much as what is spoken.

Earlier choices and old tensions shape how people act here. History does not repeat, but it limits and nudges. The present is easier to read when the past is kept in view.

Trust, distance, and leverage shift by degrees. Roles adjust, and the space between characters changes shape. By the end, connections are not exactly what they were.

Objects, gestures, and setting notes do quiet work. They mirror the mood and hint at motives. Paying attention to them clarifies what is at stake.

Short remarks, paused replies, and choices made too quickly point to what will matter soon. The chapter plants markers that future scenes will pick up.

A few sentences carry the heart of the scene. They show fear, resolve, or longing in simple words. These are the lines that will echo next chapter.

The other was the core data from the project she had developed for

Jotham’s company.

She had always kept the first one locked away in her desk drawer, but now it was gone. Jotham must have taken it.

The other item was stored within Jotham’s company itself, and she didn’t have the clearance to retrieve it.

Both things represented her painstaking effort; there was no way she was leaving them behind for Jotham.

Early the next morning, Ramona received a call from Jotham. There was a racket on his end, likely because he was still on the highway.

“Ramona, did you get my message last night?”

“Yeah, I saw it,” she replied, stirring her coffee with a steady hand, her tone unreadable.

“Sorry about that, I had to leave unexpectedly and didn’t get a chance to talk to you first. But Ms. Prescott is a guest, I couldn’t let her take Milo out by herself.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s only right that you kept Ms. Prescott company.”

Ramona’s response caught Jotham off guard.

He’d assumed she was ignoring his message because she was angry, but with Brianna around last night, he hadn’t been able to stay in touch with Ramona anyway.

Yet now, her voice was casual, almost indifferent.

“Ramona, I noticed you didn’t reply last night, so I thought—”

“I was swamped yesterday,” Ramona cut in, breezy and light. “I went

2227

straight from house-hunting to a business meeting. Didn’t even have time to check my phone.”

Jotham let out a breath of relief. “I knew you were just busy. Don’t work so hard, you know it worries me.”

Ramona frowned. She hadn’t been able to stomach breakfast as it was, and his words only made her appetite vanish altogether.

“Daddy, don’t talk to the mean lady!”

Suddenly, Milo’s voice came through the phone, quickly followed by Brianna’s attempt to hush him.

“Alright, I need to get back to driving. I’ll see you tonight.”

This time, Jotham hung up before Ramona could say another word.

With Jotham out of the office for once, Ramona’s first order of business

at work was to search his office for the files she needed.

She combed through every drawer, checked his computer-nothing.

Still racking her brain, she was interrupted by someone hurrying in.

“Ms. Jarrett, Mr. Holt’s out today. There are a few grant contracts that need your signature.”

Ramona picked up the contracts and scanned them.

These projects weren’t the sort that Holt Group could typically secure; she’d worked herself to the bone and pulled every string just to close these deals.

If the grant payments were delayed, there was a good chance half the projects would fall through.

“Did you try reaching Mr. Holt?”

“We did, but he seemed busy. He said to check with you if anything came up.”

Ramona smiled faintly.

At Jotham’s company, no one worked harder than her. She’d never made a mistake, and whenever Jotham was too busy to handle something, he left her in charge.

But that authority was always verbal-never official. Despite her efforts, Ramona didn’t even hold company shares, while even mid-level managers did.

So every time she made a decision on Jotham’s behalf, he’d publicly reprimand her at meetings, just to appease the staff and shareholders.

He’d told her it was all to keep their relationship under wraps, to avoid stirring up trouble.

“Just leave them here. I need to step out for a bit. I’ll review and sign them when I get back.”

“Of course.” Thɪs chapter is updated by Find_Novel(.)net

Once the other woman left, Ramona tossed the contracts aside and left

the office.

The Jordons had said Ethan wanted to have dinner with her tonight.

If she was going to meet a potential match, she ought to look her best.

Ramona headed to a salon first, and by the time she finished, it was nearly five. She stopped by a nearby mall and browsed through her favorite luxury boutique, finally settling on a dress.

“Wow, miss, you look incredible! Our dresses are picky, but you wear this better than our models!” the saleswoman gushed, genuinely impressed.

In the mirror, Ramona’s already stunning figure looked even more exquisite in the fitted, lilac evening gown. The dress, with its delicate shimmer and sheer panels, could easily make someone look washed out, but on Ramona-her skin fair as porcelain, her features striking and refined-it was perfect.

214

“I’ll take this one,” Ramona said with a smile, twirling lightly.

The dress was a one-shoulder, strapless design-elegant, understated, and sophisticated, with just the right amount of skin showing. Ideal for a

date.

For the past two years with Jotham, she’d been all work and no play, and it had been ages since she’d dressed up like this. She’d almost forgotten how beautiful she could look.

She admired herself in the mirror for a long moment before heading to the register, but as she reached for her card, the clerk stopped her.

“Actually, someone just called and took care of the bill. They also bought you a matching clutch, a set of jewelry, and a pair of shoes.”

“Did they leave a name?”

“They said their last name was Jordon.”

Hearing that, Ramona glanced around on instinct, but there was no one else nearby. Fenton had said Ethan was supposed to be sharp-tongued and aloof, hadn’t he?

Stepping out of the mall, Ramona spotted a car waiting for her-just as she’d expected.

It was the same as the one she’d seen at the Covingtons: no brand badge, but the license plate was unmistakable.

“Ms. Jarrett, we met before. My employer is waiting for you. Please, let me drive you,”

The scene closes, but its pressure does not. Something has shifted, and the next step will have to meet it. The feeling is unfinished on purpose.

Expect tighter tension and fewer safe options. Hidden truths may press forward. The path ahead should feel earned and a bit sharper.

Which choice will echo the longest? Who revealed the most by saying the least? How might today’s restraint become tomorrow’s turning point?

Rules, memory, and the setting frame each decision. Inside that frame, even small moves gain size. The chapter belongs to its world as much as to its people.

With this chapter done, the story steps forward—quieter, clearer, and ready to show what those choices mean.