Empire 20`1

Brianna Holt remained fully aware of the turmoil unfolding within the Holt family and the company. Despite sharing the anger felt by the family over Ramona’s actions, she focused on keeping the family united and supporting her husband, Jotham. While Winnie took Liliane home after Griffin’s condition stabilized, Brianna stayed behind at the hospital to manage affairs and care for Jotham, who appeared drained and overwhelmed by the situation. Brianna struggled with the intense rage Ramona’s betrayal had caused but remained steadfast, refusing to leave Jotham’s side despite his suggestion that she keep a low profile.

The scandal had devastated Brianna’s personal and professional reputation, with hostile online attacks and severed connections from friends and colleagues deepening the family’s crisis. Yet, Brianna found some solace in the belief that this painful moment would ultimately reveal Ramona’s true nature to Jotham and allow the family to move forward. Meanwhile, the Holt family still controlled half of Holt Group’s shares, leaving room to fight back against Ramona’s attempts to take over the company.

Ramona, having forced Jotham and Griffin to resign, swiftly began reshaping Holt Group’s leadership by appointing an interim CEO and distancing the company from the Holt family’s influence. Her plan involved taking the company public and diluting the family’s shares, aiming to sever all ties and claim full ownership. Her ruthless actions instilled fear among employees and outsiders alike, as she emerged as the sole authority, determined to exact her revenge and secure control.

That evening, after a taxing day, Ramona reached out to Ethan via video call, feeling guilty for missing their usual check-ins. Despite the stress, she sought comfort in a simple meal and the connection with Ethan, who had just returned to his hotel and was ready to give her his full attention. The call hinted at the personal relationships and support systems intertwined with the ongoing corporate and family battles.

She was fully aware of every development that had unfolded at the company.

Though her anger matched that of the rest of the Holt family, as Mrs. Holt, Brianna understood her responsibility was to keep the family united and stand firmly by Jotham’s side. Maintaining her composure was not just important—it was essential.

At Liliane’s advanced age, lingering at the hospital was unwise. Once Griffin Holt’s condition was stable, Winnie took it upon herself to escort the elderly woman safely back home. This allowed Brianna to remain behind, managing the hospital affairs and tending to Jotham.

Taking several slow, steady breaths, Brianna tried to calm the storm raging inside her. The damage Ramona had inflicted on the Holt family—and on Jotham personally—filled her with a burning rage that was nearly impossible to suppress.

She couldn’t even bring herself to glance at the news coverage. The comment sections were flooded with hostile remarks, all directed at her and Jotham, each insult more cruel and relentless than the last.

These online trolls, always hungry for scandal, judged others from their self-appointed moral pedestals, though their own lives were likely far from perfect. Brianna thought of them as nothing more than bitter, miserable people who thrived on spreading venom from behind their keyboards, with far too much time on their hands.

Within just one morning, her personal social media profiles had been unearthed and exposed. The reputation she had painstakingly built, her spotless image among friends and colleagues, lay in ruins. Former students and acquaintances messaged her, questioning if the rumors were true. Several influential contacts she had nurtured over the years silently cut ties, deleting her information without explanation. The fallout was as devastating for Brianna as it was for Jotham and the entire Holt family.

Gently, Brianna helped Jotham to his feet. He seemed utterly drained, his eyes dull and unfocused, as if the weight of the world had crushed him.

It took a long moment for him to even recognize her presence. His throat moved as he spoke softly, “You should go home. I’ll stay here with Dad. It’s better if you keep a low profile for now.”

Brianna shook her head, her voice calm but firm. “This is exactly when we, as husband and wife, need to face everything together. Jotham, don’t worry—I’m not going anywhere. You won’t have to handle this on your own.” She wrapped her arms around him, offering what little comfort she could.

Though Jotham remained silent, a deep sense of reassurance washed over her.

The worst had come to pass, but maybe it wasn’t entirely negative. From this moment on, Jotham would finally see Ramona for who she truly was. He would let go of her completely, severing all ties once and for all. And Brianna could step fully into her role as Mrs. Holt. The online uproar would fade with time—who would still care about this scandal in a few months?

Regarding the company, the Holt family still controlled half of the shares in Holt Group. If Ramona wanted to claim it as her own, she would have to take it public first. There was still plenty of time to turn the situation around.

By the time Ramona concluded the general meeting at Holt Group, the afternoon sun was casting long shadows across the boardroom. After forcing both Jotham and Griffin to resign, she moved quickly to reshape the company’s leadership structure.

Holt Group employed many seasoned professionals known for their skills, integrity, and loyalty. However, as a family-run enterprise, the top executive roles were almost exclusively held by Holt relatives and close allies—people personally groomed by Griffin. Ramona’s overhaul marked the first decisive move to surgically remove the family’s grip on the company.

She appointed an interim CEO, someone she had personally recruited, to oversee all operations at Holt Group. The immediate focus was to cooperate with the authorities in resolving the legal issues surrounding the project and to restructure the company’s business affairs.

When it came to taking Holt Group public, Ramona kept her plans to herself. No one dared to ask, as she was now the company’s sole hope—and nobody wanted to provoke her wrath, fearing she might destroy everything in her quest for revenge.

But Ramona had a clear strategy. She had built the company’s core business from scratch, and many innocent employees depended on it. Once she secured ownership, she would prepare for an IPO. Before that, however, she intended to dilute the Holt family’s shares completely.

From that point forward, Holt Group would sever all ties with the Holt family, leaving them with nothing.

As Ramona stepped out of the Holt Group building, she felt the weight of countless gazes upon her, most filled with unease and fear.

Everyone had seen the news online. To outsiders, Jotham was the villain, but Ramona’s retaliation was equally chilling. While he may have deserved it, her actions had ensnared the fates of everyone connected to the company. Most lacked her ruthlessness and capability, so their instinctive response was fear.

Ramona kept her expression neutral, but inside, a complex swirl of emotions churned.

That evening, the first thing Ramona did upon arriving home was to video call Ethan. Content originally comes from find(ɴ)ovel.net

She had been overwhelmed all day, only managing a brief text that morning to let him know she would be too busy for their usual calls. A pang of guilt gnawed at her for breaking their pact of three daily calls.

When Ethan didn’t answer immediately, she assumed he was still occupied and went to prepare a bowl of instant pasta. Despite having a kitchen stocked with gourmet meals sent regularly by Florence, she craved the simple comfort of pasta after such a long, stressful day.

Just as she finished cooking, Ethan’s call came through. She answered promptly, placing her phone on a stand atop the kitchen island and setting her bowl nearby.

The video connected, revealing Ethan in his hotel room. He had clearly just returned, phone in hand, and she could hear Ash’s voice faintly in the background.

After instructing Ash to close the door, Ethan turned his full attention to her. “Sorry, I was just in the middle of something…”

The chapter closes on a note of resilience amid turmoil, highlighting Brianna’s steadfast commitment to her family and her role as a pillar of strength beside Jotham. Despite the public scandal and personal attacks that threaten to unravel their carefully built lives, Brianna’s unwavering resolve and quiet courage offer a glimmer of hope. Her determination to face the challenges head-on alongside Jotham reinforces the deep bond they share, promising that together they can weather the storm and emerge stronger.

Meanwhile, the shifting power dynamics within Holt Group underscore the fragile nature of legacy and loyalty in the face of ambition and revenge. Ramona’s calculated moves to seize control reflect the harsh realities of corporate warfare, where personal vendettas can reshape entire empires. Yet beneath her ruthless exterior lies a complex emotional landscape, suggesting that even in the pursuit of dominance, human vulnerability remains. The chapter leaves us poised between upheaval and endurance, where the true strength of family and love will be tested in the days to come.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the escalating tension within the Holt family and the company they once controlled. Brianna’s unwavering support for Jotham will be tested as external pressures mount and the public scrutiny intensifies. The emotional toll on both of them is palpable, and readers can anticipate moments of vulnerability and strength as they navigate the fallout together. Meanwhile, Ramona’s calculated moves to dismantle the family’s influence hint at a brewing power struggle that could have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.

As Ramona consolidates her control over Holt Group, her interactions with Ethan introduce a new layer of intrigue and complexity. Their relationship, strained by distance and circumstance, may hold secrets or alliances that could shift the balance of power. The quiet moments between them contrast sharply with the chaos surrounding the Holt family, suggesting that personal loyalties and ambitions will play a crucial role in the unfolding drama. Readers will be left wondering how these intertwined relationships will evolve and what sacrifices each character is willing to make in pursuit of their goals.