The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 44

“Kiki, the social circles you’re so desperate to squeeze into… they’re really not that impressive to me,” Ramona said quietly, turning to look back at the group. “What I value is the time when we treated one another as equals and worked hard together.”

Her voice cut through the silence that had fallen over the room. Her eyes were calm, almost detached, but the way she looked at them all carried a sense of cold appraisal.

“Status, wealth, privilege—none of these should be used to divide people into hierarchies, and certainly not as an excuse to trample on someone’s dignity. If all it takes is a single call from the Covington Group to make you go from dismissive to groveling, then let’s be honest, you never respected people. You only ever respected the price tag attached to them.”

She paused, letting her words settle. “That kind of flattery? It demeans you, and it cheapens what it means to be classmates.”

After that, Ramona’s gaze returned to Kiki. “Don’t forget your promise. I hope you’re a woman of your word, but if you’re not… well, I have ways to make sure you keep it.”

Kiki was speechless. She’d still been clinging to her resentment, but right now, Ramona’s overwhelming presence left her completely cowed.

Everyone else looked just as chastened by Ramona’s words—faces red, spirits deflated. Even those who’d wanted to cozy up to her no longer had the nerve.

Ramona went over to Tara, gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and said, “It’s getting late. I’m heading home. Good luck tomorrow.”

“Ramona…” Tara started, but she couldn’t find the words.

She regretted bringing Ramona out tonight. Sure, Ramona had stepped in to help, but now that Tara knew the huge gap between their worlds, she realized she could never go back to how things were before.

Ramona left the private lounge.

Almost immediately, the bar manager hurried over. She’d just made a quick call to the Covington Group, and within minutes, an assistant was on their way to pick her up.

The bar’s higher-ups had been desperate to greet the Covington Group’s heiress themselves, but since they were out of town, they’d sent the manager to wait at the door.

“Ms. Covington, we had no idea you’d be visiting tonight,” the manager said with a nervous smile. “Our owner asked me to offer you some small gifts to apologize for any oversight… and we’d also like you and your friends to have these exclusive VIP cards.”

The cards were custom-made for Ramona, essentially a permanent all-access pass with unlimited privileges and priority reservations for the best lounges.

Seeing the stack of elegant envelopes in the manager’s hands, Ramona frowned slightly.

“They’re not my friends. You can keep the cards,” she said coolly. “Someone else picked up the tab tonight. If you discount the bill, you’ll just embarrass them…”

Thinking of the way everyone inside had fawned and schemed, Ramona couldn’t help but feel a twinge of mischief. She didn’t need to finish—one look, and the manager instantly understood.

“Of course, Ms. Covington. I’ll handle it.”

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