Empire 182

Jotham reveals to his family the true extent of the crisis with Ramona: she demands half the shares in Holt Group within three days, threatening to expose a scandal involving him and Brianna if they refuse. This revelation shocks Brianna and intensifies the tension within the Holt family, especially as Ramona’s knowledge removes any leverage they might have had. Winnie is furious and immediately suggests drastic measures to deal with Ramona, hinting at causing an “accident,” while Liliane expresses frustration and resignation at Ramona’s retaliatory pride.

The family’s conflict escalates as Brianna criticizes Jotham for being too soft on Ramona despite her betrayal, and Winnie defends her son’s conscience. Liliane intervenes to calm the heated exchange and demands to know Jotham’s plan. Jotham surprises everyone by stating he wants to reconcile with Ramona, explaining it as a strategic move to buy time by appealing to her softer side. This shocks Brianna, who fears Jotham might divorce her to keep Ramona quiet, but Jotham assures her he will only pretend to divorce as a stalling tactic.

Determined to handle Ramona personally, Jotham seeks Griffin’s help to negotiate giving Ramona half of the company shares. Although Griffin is initially opposed, he hesitates after Jotham’s insistence and explanation that Ramona’s anger stems from genuine hurt. Jotham’s willingness to risk everything for Ramona contrasts with his pragmatic attitude toward Brianna, revealing complex emotions beneath the surface. However, before any plans can unfold, unexpected visitors arrive at Holt Group the next morning, adding new uncertainty to the already volatile situation.

To maintain appearances, Jotham had told everyone only that he’d had a heated argument with Ramona and ended up in a scuffle with the building’s security guard.

Not even Brianna had any inkling of the true ordeal he had endured.

It wasn’t until this very moment, when Jotham finally disclosed what Ramona already knew, that Brianna was so shocked she almost jumped out of her seat.

If Ramona was privy to the whole truth, then surely she no longer held any real leverage to threaten the Holt family, right?

Jotham’s expression was somber as he exhaled deeply before continuing, “She’s given us three days to hand over half the shares in Holt Group. If we refuse… she’ll go public with what happened between me and Brianna.”

“She’s completely lost it!” Winnie snapped, her voice rising sharply. “Does she really believe our family is so easy to intimidate? Since when can any random nobody just come after our business like this?”

As she spoke, her glare landed pointedly on Brianna.

Brianna’s face drained of color, turning almost ghostly pale. Her lips parted as if to say something, but she ultimately remained silent.

“No wonder,” Liliane muttered quietly, her head bowed as she released a heavy sigh. Her brows were furrowed deeply, a clear sign of her helpless frustration. “With her pride, it’s no surprise she’d retaliate in this way.”

Liliane had always assumed Ramona was simply a spoiled girl, reckless because she’d been spoiled and sheltered her whole life. She never imagined Ramona had seen right through everything.

If Ramona had still been in the dark, there might have been some room to maneuver. But now that she knew the truth, there was no turning back.

“Retaliate? Just her?” Winnie’s indignation flared again, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. “If she thinks she can threaten us, maybe it’s about time—”

Brianna cut in sharply, “Mom!”

She was warning Winnie not to say it aloud, but she understood perfectly what Winnie meant—getting rid of Ramona. It was the simplest, most brutal solution to the Holt family’s current crisis.

Jotham stiffened, then sprang to his feet. “What are you thinking? Murder is a crime!”

“Of course, we can’t do anything illegal,” Winnie said dismissively, though her meaning was crystal clear. “But accidents… accidents do happen.” ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ FindN0vel.net

She glanced at Liliane, who kept her head lowered and said nothing, making it obvious she agreed with the implication.

“There’s no need to go that far,” Jotham argued, his voice tight with tension. “Ramona… I don’t think she’d really go to war with me.”

He couldn’t explain why, but just hearing Ramona’s name made it impossible for him to remain calm.

Yes, she had been ruthless—she’d even found some random man to get back at him—but whenever he thought of Ramona, it hurt so deeply it felt like it was hard to breathe.

“Jotham, has Ramona really gotten under your skin?” Brianna snapped, finally losing her patience. “She’s a snake. After everything you’ve done for her, she shouldn’t stoop this low for revenge. And you’re still soft on her?”

“Brianna, watch your tone. Jotham has a conscience and knows where to draw the line, unlike you…” Winnie jumped in to defend her son.

Ramona was certainly a snake, but Brianna wasn’t exactly innocent herself—she was just as ruthless in her own way.

“Are you all done? Do you really think screaming at each other will solve anything?” Liliane finally exploded, her voice hoarse but commanding enough to silence both Winnie and Brianna instantly.

She turned to Jotham, her eyes sharp and expectant. “Jotham, what are you planning to do now?”

“I…” Jotham hesitated for a long moment, his gaze flickering away from Brianna. “I want to… reconcile with Ramona.”

“What did you just say?!”

Brianna’s face flushed a deep red, disbelief written all over her features. Was he really saying that, right here, right now? Had he truly changed his mind?

“It’s just a stalling tactic,” Jotham said defensively. “Ramona’s soft-hearted. If I show her I’m sincere, I can calm her down for the time being.”

“And what about me?” Brianna’s laugh was brittle, almost bitter. “We’re legally married. Are you planning to divorce me just to keep Ramona quiet?”

Winnie looked at Brianna with a faint, almost cruel smile tugging at her lips. “Didn’t you say you loved Jotham? Loving someone means making sacrifices. If divorcing him helps Jotham get through this, what’s the big deal?”

“You—”

Brianna was no pushover either. Even if they managed to appease Ramona, provoking her could plunge the Holt family into even deeper chaos.

Jotham understood this perfectly. He quickly reached out and grasped Brianna’s arm, pulling her gently back into his embrace. His voice softened.

“I’m not getting a divorce. But I can pretend. There’s a waiting period before a divorce is finalized. That’s enough time for the company to go public.”

That finally silenced Brianna.

Jotham’s eyes darkened as he turned his gaze toward Winnie and Liliane.

“As for Ramona, I’ll handle her.”

He hadn’t given up on Ramona yet. Before, he’d only wanted to keep her under control. But now… this time, he truly wanted to win her heart.

That very night, Jotham sought out Griffin for another urgent conversation. The situation with Ramona couldn’t wait any longer.

He was prepared to give up all of his own shares if necessary, pooling together enough to offer Ramona half of the company.

Griffin was firmly opposed at first, but after Jotham’s relentless pleading and promises, he finally hesitated. “You’re really that sure about her?”

“You can’t catch a wolf without risking the lamb,” Jotham replied calmly, his tone almost calculating. “What Ramona and I had was real. She’s only lashing out because I hurt her so badly.”

Despite Jotham’s rational tone, Griffin felt a flicker of unease.

Jotham seemed to weigh everything involving Brianna in terms of profit and loss, yet with Ramona—someone he claimed not to love—he was willing to risk everything?

But plans rarely keep pace with reality. The very next morning, a group of unexpected visitors arrived at the doors of Holt Group, throwing everything into further uncertainty.

This chapter delves deeply into the tangled emotions and precarious power struggles within the Holt family, revealing the fragile balance between love, loyalty, and ambition. Jotham’s inner conflict is palpable as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions and the looming threat Ramona poses, all while trying to protect the family’s legacy. The tension between the characters underscores the painful reality that even the closest bonds can be tested by secrets and betrayals, and that sometimes, the greatest battles are fought within the heart.

Despite the chaos and looming threats, there remains a thread of hope in Jotham’s determination to reconcile with Ramona, suggesting that beneath the surface of conflict lies a yearning for understanding and forgiveness. The chapter closes on a note of uncertainty, with the arrival of unexpected visitors hinting at further upheavals, yet it is Jotham’s resolve and the fragile alliances within the family that will shape the path forward. In this delicate dance of power and emotion, every choice carries weight, and the true challenge lies in navigating the storm without losing oneself or those they love.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of emotions and power struggles that grip the Holt family. Jotham’s decision to feign a divorce and genuinely pursue reconciliation with Ramona sets the stage for a precarious balancing act—one that could either mend broken bonds or shatter them irreparably. As he navigates these fraught waters, the lines between strategy and sincerity blur, leaving readers to wonder how much of his resolve is truly heartfelt and how much is a calculated move to protect the empire.

Meanwhile, the arrival of unexpected visitors at Holt Group hints at new tensions and challenges that could tip the fragile equilibrium. Loyalties will be tested, secrets threatened, and the true cost of ambition laid bare. With emotions running high and stakes escalating, the next chapter will explore how far each character is willing to go to safeguard their interests—and what sacrifices might be demanded in the process. Prepare for revelations that could redefine alliances and deepen the mysteries surrounding Ramona’s intentions.