Empire 196

Ramona receives a bank notification confirming the completion of her equity transfer, officially making her a fifty percent shareholder of Holt Group. Shortly after, she takes a call from an attorney who informs her that all legal documents and share certificates are on their way. Soon after, she receives a message from Jotham, who admits the transfer is finalized and asks for a chance to apologize and start over. Ramona agrees to meet him the next morning at Holt Group, maintaining a firm and emotionless tone.

The company is in crisis after a critical project flaw led to the loss of key partnerships, including the sudden withdrawal of investment from the Covington Group. This jeopardizes Holt Group’s IPO and threatens its survival. Jotham’s decision to transfer shares to Ramona is a desperate move to bring back her expertise, as she had previously saved the company from disaster. Even Griffin acknowledges that Holt Group cannot afford to lose her.

Meanwhile, Brianna, who is involved with Jotham, grows anxious about Ramona’s return and the company’s troubles. Though she fears Ramona might expose their affair or take control, she realizes Ramona’s involvement is crucial. Despite Ramona now owning half the company, Brianna believes the family’s loyalties remain with her, and she forces herself to accept the situation.

Jotham confides in Brianna that Ramona has agreed to meet but has not forgiven him. He acknowledges the difficulty ahead, knowing Ramona’s return is motivated by both her principles and financial stake. To maintain appearances, Jotham and Brianna agree to pretend their relationship is over, with Brianna reluctantly accepting this for the sake of keeping Ramona at bay.

Ramona’s phone suddenly lit up with a notification—a bank alert confirming a recent transaction. The message read: “Subsidy for equity transfer related legal fees.” She glanced at it briefly, her expression unreadable.

Almost immediately afterward, an unfamiliar number appeared on her screen. Without hesitation, she swiped to answer.

A calm, steady male voice greeted her. “Good afternoon, Ms. Ramona. This is an attorney from the Holt Group’s legal department. I’m calling to inform you that your equity transfer has been fully completed. The new shareholder registry has been updated accordingly. All the relevant legal documents and your share certificates are being sent to your residence and should arrive within the next thirty minutes.”

Ramona’s voice was cool and distant as she replied simply, “I understand.” Without adding another word, she ended the call.

None of this caught her off guard. Today marked exactly three days since the deadline she had set for Jotham—the final day. Fresh chapters posted on FindN0vel.net

Just moments later, another message popped up on her phone. This time, it was from Jotham himself.

[Ramona, everything is finalized. Fifty percent of Holt Group now belongs to you. I’ve kept my promise. I don’t expect your forgiveness yet, but I’m begging you to give me a chance to apologize in person. I want us to start over. —Jotham.]

Ramona stared at the screen, the first genuine note she had heard from Jotham in what felt like ages. Yet her face betrayed no sign of emotion. Without hesitation, she tapped his number and called.

He answered almost immediately. “Ramona—”

“Tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock. At Holt Group.” Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. Before he could say another word, she ended the call.

Though her demeanor remained icy, just hearing her voice gave Jotham a flicker of hope—a small relief amid the storm.

Three days ago, Holt Group had suffered a major blow. A critical flaw had been uncovered in one of their projects, forcing them to cancel several key partnerships, including their deal with the Covington Group.

But the real catastrophe struck that very afternoon, when Covington abruptly withdrew their investment.

Word of Covington’s sudden pullout would spread quickly. Without fresh funding, the company’s planned IPO would collapse before it even began.

From there, losses would spiral uncontrollably. In the worst-case scenario, Holt Group could face total ruin.

The decision to transfer shares to Ramona was more than a gesture to save face for the Holt family—it was Jotham’s desperate attempt to bring her back into the fold.

The project had failed largely because the new team lacked the expertise to fix its issues. Ramona, by contrast, was a genius at rescuing faltering ventures and solving impossible financial puzzles. Years ago, she had saved Holt Group from an even greater disaster.

With the company in freefall and the clock ticking, even Griffin had been forced to relent. It was clear: Holt Group could not afford to lose Ramona.

“What are you doing?” Jotham’s voice broke through his thoughts as he stepped into his bedroom to find Brianna rummaging through his briefcase.

Startled, she quickly lifted the case. “Nothing… I was just tidying up your things. I thought I saw a bug in here.”

“I’ve told you before—don’t touch my stuff.” Jotham’s patience was thin. He sank onto the sofa, loosened his collar, and exhaled heavily.

His mind was elsewhere, already strategizing ways to win Ramona back and somehow rebuild her trust.

Brianna set the briefcase down carefully. Noticing the dark circles under Jotham’s eyes, she guessed his worries were about Ramona.

She herself had been on edge these past few days. Fear gnawed at her that Ramona might expose their affair, yet part of her also dreaded Ramona taking control of the company or turning Jotham into her pawn.

But the situation was slipping beyond her control. Following the company’s recent troubles, even Griffin had pulled her aside for some “friendly advice”—urging her to consider the bigger picture, to think about Jotham, and to help keep Ramona calm.

Earlier that day, just before Jotham came home, Brianna had heard the devastating news from Liliane: Covington Group had pulled out.

The cold dread that ran through her then still lingered now. As much as she hated to admit it, Ramona was exactly what Holt Group needed at this critical moment.

So what if Ramona now owned half the company? With the IPO indefinitely postponed, Ramona would return not for power, but to fight fires and face the toughest battles.

Meanwhile, Brianna had Milo, and in the eyes of the Holt family, she was still Mrs. Holt. The family’s loyalties would remain clear.

Even if Ramona wanted a bigger slice of the pie, it would eventually choke her. There was no way she could consume it all.

Having thought it through, Brianna forced herself to swallow her bitterness.

—

“She still won’t accept your apology, will she?” Brianna asked cautiously.

Jotham shook his head. “She said she’ll be at Holt Group tomorrow morning.”

That caught Brianna off guard. “She’s coming back already?”

He nodded. “She owns half the company. Holt Group has been her life’s work. If we ever do go public, she stands to gain more than anyone else. Even if it’s no longer about her feelings—”

He paused, his eyes hardening, a strange unease settling deep in his chest. “She’d do it for the money, at least.”

But deep down, Jotham never believed Ramona would ever compromise her principles just for profit. If she was willing to meet him, it was probably because she couldn’t let go of their shared past.

“It’s going to be tough for a while,” he admitted, glancing at Brianna.

If he hoped to stabilize things with Ramona, he would need Brianna to play along. For now, they had to pretend their relationship was over.

Brianna’s face darkened, but she nodded slowly. “I understand. As long as Ramona doesn’t interfere with me, I’ll keep my distance. After all… I love you far more than she ever did.”

The chapter closes on a fragile equilibrium, where past grievances and present crises intertwine. Ramona’s return to Holt Group, marked by her quiet resolve and ownership stake, signals a reluctant but necessary reunion with the company and with Jotham. Their tentative communication hints at the possibility of reconciliation, though the scars of betrayal and mistrust remain vivid. The weight of responsibility and the urgency of saving Holt Group bind them together, even as personal wounds complicate their path forward.

Meanwhile, the tension between Brianna and Jotham adds another layer of complexity, underscoring the delicate balance of loyalty, love, and ambition within the family. Brianna’s reluctant acceptance of Ramona’s role and her vow to keep her distance reflect the uneasy truce they must maintain for the sake of the company and their intertwined lives. As Holt Group faces an uncertain future, the characters stand at a crossroads where personal and professional stakes converge, setting the stage for the difficult choices and emotional reckonings ahead.

The next chapter promises a tense reunion that could shift the fragile balance of power within Holt Group. Ramona’s return to the company is charged with unspoken emotions and unresolved history, and her meeting with Jotham will likely reveal cracks in their complicated relationship. Will old wounds begin to heal, or will the weight of past betrayals deepen the divide between them?

Meanwhile, Brianna’s conflicted loyalties and quiet resentment add another layer of intrigue. As she wrestles with her fears and desires, the dynamics within the Holt family and the company itself become increasingly volatile. With the IPO in jeopardy and the company’s future uncertain, every decision will carry heavy consequences. The stage is set for a confrontation where personal and professional stakes collide, leaving readers eager to see who will emerge stronger and who might be left behind.