The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 8

People like them—these heirs and power brokers—were so used to throwing their weight around, so accustomed to getting their way, that it never even occurred to them to respect her. In their eyes, a hundred million dollars was more than enough to make her disappear.

But Ramona was nothing if not stubborn. She didn’t cave to threats, and she certainly wasn’t going to be bought off.

“You say this isn’t a negotiation, but an announcement? That’s unfortunate, because legal inheritance rights can’t just be erased with a single word.”

“I’ve done my homework,” she went on, her tone cool and precise. “I know the Covington Group’s assets and corporate structure. The core real estate alone is valued at tens of billions. Annual revenue? Steadily above eight billion. And you’re offering me a hundred million as ‘compensation’? That’s barely enough to buy a single shopfront in one of your developments. Let’s not kid ourselves—one hundred million versus billions? I can do the math. This isn’t compensation. It’s outright robbery.”

She smiled, calm and unruffled, as she closed the agreement and handed it back to Holden—completely untouched.

Silence fell. Melinda and Holden exchanged a look, both caught off guard.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going,” Ramona said, rising. “Either we do this by the law, or we negotiate fairly. Mr. Holden, you’re my father’s adopted son, which means, legally, your right to inherit comes after mine. Or does the Covington family truly intend to hand everything over to an adopted son with no blood ties?”

With that, Ramona turned and headed for the door.

It wasn’t until her hand was on the knob that Melinda shot Holden a look. His voice rang out, low and sharp, “Don’t move.”

Two lines of bodyguards were already waiting in the foyer.

Ramona took them in with a glance, knowing it wouldn’t be easy to leave today.

She didn’t budge. Instead, she met Melinda’s gaze, her voice steady: “Is this how you’re going to handle things, Melinda? By forcing my hand?”

Melinda gave a soft, dismissive snort. “Ramona, you clearly don’t know me very well. Take my advice, while I’m still feeling patient, you’d do well to negotiate.”

Holden stood, looming over her, his imposing frame casting a shadow. His lips curled slightly. “If you’re unhappy with the offer, Ms. Jarrett, name your price.”

Ramona stared right back, refusing to back down, her words ringing with finality, “You couldn’t afford it. My father’s legacy is worth billions, and I won’t settle for a cent less.”

Holden’s face darkened, menace flaring in his eyes. “Then I’m afraid you leave us no choice.”

At his words, several of the bodyguards stepped forward, tension rising in the air.

Melinda turned away, walking toward the tall windows as the doors to the room swung shut.

Ramona stood her ground, back straight, eyes cold as she faced the men closing in.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

A group of men in sharp black suits strode in, with Jubal right behind them.

Holden stiffened, his eyes flicking to their expensive tailoring, then darting to Melinda, alarmed.

“Ma’am,” Jubal said hastily, coming to Melinda’s side and whispering something in her ear.

Her face paled. “What did you say?”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify