Empire 47

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.

Brianna’s perfectly made-up face twisted, her expression darkening.

So, just because Ramona wasn’t here, they couldn’t even be bothered to meet with her?

“Ramona’s been on leave lately, but I’m also a manager at Holt Group and more than capable of handling this project. If you have any doubts, feel free to take a look at my proposal.”

Jotham hadn’t even spoken yet when Brianna, unable to sit still, handed the proposal she’d stayed up late perfecting to the assistant.

The assistant hesitated for a moment, but accepted it out of courtesy.

Brianna was certain that once they saw what she was capable of, they’d regret treating her so coldly.

Jotham added, “Ramona isn’t the only outstanding employee on our team. Please let your CEO know that his trust in our company will not be misplaced.”

Seeing this, the assistant could only nod. “Very well, please wait a moment. I’ll go right now.”

Once the assistant left, Brianna slumped back into her seat, unable to

hide her frustration.

“So it’s all about Ramona now? Since when do they choose partners based solely on one employee?”

Brianna didn’t believe for a second that Ramona was so uniquely

talented.

Jotham explained, “Ramona’s got a reputation in the industry, sure, but we’re talking about similar data and proposals. Yet, somehow, if it’s handled by her, it’s always a guaranteed win.”

“Company profits are the result of everyone’s efforts, from every

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department. How did all the credit suddenly become Ramona’s alone?”

Jotham was just stating facts, but Brianna couldn’t accept it.

“Their CEO is a man, right? And all those clients who insist on working with Ramona-are they men, too?”

Jotham shot her a look. “Don’t start with that.”

“I’m not making it up. In business, especially in this industry, there’s no such thing as an unbeatable woman, only men who are easily swayed.”

“Brianna, when did you become so bitter?”.

The disappointment in Jotham’s eyes caught Brianna off guard, making her realize she’d let her emotions get the better of her.

Before long, the office door opened again. It was the assistant, alone

once more.

The assistant placed the stack of documents neatly back in front of Brianna.

“Mr. Shelton asked me to thank you for your hard work, but he insists that the project be handled personally by Ms. Ramona.”

He turned to Jotham. “Mr. Holt, Mr. Shelton also asked me to relay that if Ms. Ramona is truly unavailable, then we’ll have to put our collaboration with Holt Group on hold for now.”

“Why?” Brianna couldn’t hold back any longer. “What exactly am I lacking compared to Ramona?”

Jotham quickly reached over to steady her. “Could you ask Mr. Shelton why he insists on Ramona? If he doubts Brianna’s abilities, he’s welcome to check her credentials. She was Ramona’s advisor, the only female lecturer in the Department of Finance at Havencrest University.”

The assistant gave a helpless smile. “I understand, Ms. Prescott is certainly impressive, but Mr. Shelton said he’s sentimental, he only trusts

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Ms. Ramona.”

With that, the assistant gave Jotham a polite nod and left.

Brianna felt her breath catch in her chest, the edges of her vision swimming with black spots.

Jotham hadn’t expected things to turn out this way either; his face had gone completely pale.

On the way back, neither of them said a word, each lost in their own thoughts. Brianna blamed Jotham for relying too much on Ramona in the past, leading them to this situation. Jotham, on the other hand, was disappointed in Brianna-she’d lost her cool.

Before Brianna even made it back to the office, news of the project’s rejection had already spread through the company.

As she walked through her department, she could hear the whispers. Everyone seemed to be enjoying her misfortune.

She quickened her pace, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Ramona’s empty desk and the group of young women she’d personally mentored. They were busy with something, so Brianna strode over and snatched one of their laptops.

The young woman had been in the middle of revising a project proposal, she hadn’t even saved her work.

“Ms. Prescott…” The subordinate jumped up, startled.

“Ramona’s out, so you all think you can just slack off and collect a paycheck? It’s a simple project proposal, and you still can’t get it right after all this time?”

“We’re sorry, Ms. Prescott, we’re working as fast as we can-”

The whole group stood up, but before anyone could finish, there was a sharp crack as Brianna slammed the laptop down at their feet.

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The screen instantly went blue. This content belongs to FιndＮovel.net

“Ms. Prescott, what are you doing?!”

Everyone was stunned, scrambling to save the computer, but it was too

late.

“Oops, slipped out of my hands. But honestly, is this garbage proposal what Ramona’s been teaching you? The failure of a project isn’t just one person’s fault, it’s proof your entire team is incompetent.

Listen up: by nine o’clock tomorrow morning, I want a brand-new draft of every project you’re working on. If there’s a single error in the data or ever a misplaced comma, your whole group can pack up and leave.”

With that, Brianna’s voice was cold as ice as she stalked away.

That afternoon, Ramona was sitting in the executive suite on the 37th floor of Covington Group, reviewing business reports.

Suddenly, her phone blew up with messages from her private department group chat at Holt. There were five people in the group-all talented young women she’d personally mentored. They’d always gotten along well.

“Ramona, when are you coming back? We seriously can’t take it here without you!”

“Yeah, Ramona, I might just quit tomorrow at this rate…”

“Doesn’t matter, honestly. If you’re not around, I don’t even want to work here anymore. You’re the reason I put in the effort in the first place.”

Reading these, Ramona’s brow furrowed in concern.

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.