The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 183

Jotham hadn’t even arrived at the office yet, but the group chat was already blowing up.

The company’s top-tier S+ project had been hit with a massive scandal, and now the city authorities and other departments were stepping in to investigate.

If they couldn’t sort it out, the partnership with Covington Group would fall through.

...

That afternoon.

Inside the flagship Huxley Toys store downtown, staff bustled around, prepping the VIP lounge.

Someone had gone all out—renting the entire store for a private birthday party. The themed suite was decked out with premium drinks and a lavish spread.

“Wisteria, this table’s reserved for some seriously important guests today. Make sure you give them the royal treatment. If you pull it off, you get the credit. But if you mess up… well, you’ll have to answer to Dad, and it won’t be pretty for the Huxley Group’s reputation.”

Solenne’s voice drifted over just as Wisteria was arranging plush toys in the lounge.

Wisteria, in her crisp work uniform, could have passed for any ordinary store manager. There was no sign she was the Huxley family’s heiress.

But Wisteria acted as if she hadn’t heard a word. She finished her task and brushed past Solenne without a glance, treating her as if she were invisible.

Solenne smirked coldly. She was used to Wisteria’s attitude by now.

But today promised greater drama, and Solenne wasn’t about to get sidetracked by petty squabbles.

Half an hour later, the entire staff lined up at the entrance to greet the guests.

Wisteria stood at the front, and the moment the doors opened, she saw him.

Her eyes froze, color draining from her face. She bowed stiffly, struggling to compose herself.

Yancey clearly hadn’t expected to see Wisteria here either.

He had another woman on his arm—delicate, beautiful, exuding confidence and charm, her lips curved in a gentle smile as she gazed up at Yancey with obvious affection.

“Yancey, you’re here! Come on in, your suite’s all set up, and your friends have already arrived,”

Solenne’s voice rang out, smooth and unhurried, breaking the awkward silence. She stepped forward from the staff, all warmth and hospitality, leading Yancey and his companion inside.

Solenne’s designer pastel-pink skirt suit screamed old-money elegance—a sharp contrast to Wisteria’s plain uniform.

Yancey paused, glancing back at Wisteria, confusion flickering across his face.

How was it that a Huxley heiress like Wisteria was working in the store? In uniform, no less?

Wisteria didn’t look at him, keeping her head bowed low.

“Oh, you must be Solenne, the Huxley family’s eldest daughter?”

Before Yancey could process it, the woman beside him spoke up with a bright smile.

She selected gifts and snacks per the order, arranging them neatly on platters. She was about to have a staff member deliver them, when Solenne emerged.

“Wisteria, what are you dawdling for? Didn’t I tell you—important guests, you’re the one who has to serve them. Get in there.”

“I’m minding the store. Let someone else do it,” Wisteria shot back, glancing at Solenne with frosty indifference.

“Oh, come on. Yancey’s an old friend. You’ll do a much better job than anyone else.”

Solenne’s words hit right where they hurt.

“And besides, Yancey’s friends specifically asked for you to handle their table.”

“Or what, are you afraid you’ll lose your composure in front of your crush and embarrass yourself?”

Her tone grew mocking, each word sharper than the last.

Wisteria finally snapped, raising her hand as if to strike, but Solenne had anticipated it and quickly stepped back.

This Wisteria was nothing if not fierce. She had none of the demure heiress in her!

“Solenne, back off. Or I’ll make sure you regret it,” Wisteria said, voice low and dangerous.

The threat made Solenne hesitate, but then she remembered—the whole staff here was loyal to her family. With no outsiders watching, there was no way Wisteria would win this round.

She straightened her spine. “Don’t forget your agreement with my father, Wisteria. I call the shots here. If you want to quit, go ahead. But your probation’s almost up, and if you can’t even last in our own family’s store… well, you can forget about your mother’s trust fund.”