The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 143

The moment Brianna’s voice came through the receiver, Winnie lost all composure. She shouted, her voice sharp and shrill, “You little snake! I’m telling you, even if you and Jotham get married, as long as I’m still alive, you’ll never set foot in the Holt family home!”

“Alright, Mom. If you don’t approve, I won’t step into the Holt family’s house.”

Brianna’s tone on the other end was unsettlingly calm, almost laced with a hint of amusement.

Griffin’s brow furrowed. “What are you trying to do?”

“I just want to be with Jotham, that’s all,” Brianna replied, her voice steady. “As long as you don’t make things difficult for us, I’ll do my best to support him and be a good wife—”

She suddenly broke off.

Liliane glanced at Jotham, her clouded eyes reflecting utter resignation.

Winnie, undeterred, continued to seethe. “Keep dreaming!”

Brianna chuckled softly, unfazed by Winnie’s hostility. She spoke again, her voice smooth and unwavering, “I’ve given years of my youth and love to Jotham. Even if we divorce, I’m entitled to half of his assets. And let’s not forget, no matter how you try to push us away, my child is still your blood. Are you really going to say he has no right to inherit?”

She wasn’t wrong. Now that Brianna and Jotham had a child together, things were far more complicated than before.

Griffin’s expression turned increasingly grim; even his breathing grew heavier. He shot Jotham a glare before finally speaking. “Brianna, I can give you a sum of money. Take the child and leave.”

“Dad, it’s not about the money. I just want you to know that I love Jotham. But if you insist on tearing us apart, then I’ll have to protect my marriage in my own way.”

Brianna’s voice grew colder as she realized none of them were willing to give in.

Jotham finally snapped, unable to listen any longer. “Brianna, what exactly are you after?”

“You’ve already gone against Alaric Holt’s will,” Brianna replied. “If nothing changes, then we’ll all go down together.”

She fought to keep the hurt from her voice as she added gently, “If I go public about our relationship, if I reveal everything you’ve done to me and to Milo over the years... well, I doubt it’ll only be the Holt family’s reputation that suffers.”

Of course it wouldn’t just be about their reputation. If Brianna made a scene, Jotham’s secrets would come out, and the Holt Group’s credibility and their shot at taking the company public would all go up in smoke. Jotham himself might be destroyed in the process.

“You’re threatening us?” Griffin’s tone turned glacial. If there was one thing he despised, it was being threatened. Not even Ramona’s attempts to blackmail him with company projects had made him bend, yet now he found himself backed into a corner by Brianna.

“If that’s how you want to see it, Dad, then so be it.”

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