The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 25

Jotham snapped back to himself. “Ramona, what’s gotten into you? You never used to care about this stuff. The Holt Group is our joint effort; we’re married. Half of my shares are as good as yours. What you’re asking me to do is completely unnecessary. Besides…”

He hesitated, then pressed on. “You know the situation at the Holt Group. The shares my father and the other major board members hold far outweigh mine. Even if I wanted to give you what you want, my hands are tied.”

“Besides, those old-timers would never agree to a woman running the company. If we tried, you’d just become their favorite target.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt. That’s why I never wanted you to take company shares in the first place.”

Jotham cleverly shifted the blame onto the board, dodging Ramona’s request while making himself look like the concerned husband.

“Exactly, we’re married. Even if you gave me your shares, they’d still be our joint property, wouldn’t they?”

No matter how Jotham spun it, Ramona simply followed his logic and replied calmly, “I’m doing this for the good of the company, for our family, for you.”

A surge of frustration rose in Jotham’s chest, but he had nowhere to vent it. He wanted to argue, but tonight, Ramona was an entirely different person, nothing he said seemed to land.

Were all women this stubborn? Or had Ramona’s heart changed, making her start to keep score with him?

“Ramona, it wasn’t easy for us to get here together. I don’t want something at home to end up driving a wedge between us…”

He softened his tone, his voice dropping, hoping to tug at her emotions.

In the past, no matter how badly they fought, all he had to do was remind Ramona of how he’d defied his family to be with her, and she’d always soften and give in.

But this time, before he could finish, Ramona quietly interrupted him.

“Jotham, they say a man’s money always follows his heart. I’ve given everything to the Holt Group without holding back. I hope you could do the same for me. Otherwise, I might need to reconsider whether I should stay at the Holt Group. Maybe if I resign, things would be easier for you—and the board would have one less thing to complain about.”

“Ramona, what are you saying…”

Jotham froze. Was she threatening him?

“Think about it. And until you’ve made up your mind, don’t contact me again. I finally managed to take some time off, and I’d like to spend it on myself for once.”

With that, Ramona hung up.

When Jotham tried calling back, he found himself blocked.

She’d used this trick before, but this time she seemed addicted to it.

Jotham’s chest heaved with anger. He swore he wouldn’t give in to her again—he’d have to teach Ramona a lesson!

But that determination lasted all of two hours. The company’s problems were spiraling. If they didn’t salvage the project soon, their plans to take the company public would go up in smoke.

Unable to sleep, Jotham waited until Brianna was fast asleep, then slipped back to his study.

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