The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 189

Yancey ignored Wisteria’s protest. “I’ll take you home. I’ll talk to your father about what happened tonight. You won’t get in trouble for this.”

Only then did Wisteria’s tense expression soften a little.

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

Wisteria couldn’t help noticing that Yancey kept rubbing his arm as he drove. She remembered he’d seemed to get hurt earlier. The words hovered on her lips, but she hesitated too long and never spoke them.

Oh, forget it. It’s not her concern, anyway. He’d survive a little scrape. She was never the caring type, and she had no intention of pretending otherwise.

But while Wisteria kept quiet, Yancey suddenly pulled the car into a 24-hour pharmacy nearby.

Watching him head inside, Wisteria felt a flicker of anxiety.

Was he really that badly hurt?

Yet when Yancey returned, she immediately turned her head away, staring out the window.

“For you,” he said.

She blinked in surprise. He hadn’t brought bandages, but a bottle of hangover remedy.

“I’m fine,” Wisteria murmured. Her voice was softer now, the concern catching her off guard. He was actually looking out for her.

“You threw up most of it, but just in case,” Yancey replied.

Wisteria’s eyes fell to his shirt, which she’d managed to thoroughly ruin. She didn’t argue further, quietly thanked him, and swallowed the medicine.

She added, “I’ll replace your shirt. And if Halcyon needs—”

“Did you not hear me? The engagement’s off.”

Yancey’s voice was cool, his gaze fixed ahead, his expression unreadable.

Wisteria took a slow breath. “Then you can’t blame me for what happened. From what I’ve seen, Ms. Loring is also a tough person. If you can’t handle her, it’s better to let go early.”

“My love life isn’t your concern.”

Wisteria fell silent, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut.

When they finally reached the Huxley family estate, Yancey didn’t drive up to the main entrance. Instead, he killed the engine a little ways off.

Wisteria tensed. Clearly, he had something to say.

“Why are you working at that shop?” he asked abruptly.

“You already know why. That’s why you showed up today with your fiancée—”

“Is Solenne giving you trouble? Or did you get yourself in hot water again and your family’s punishing you?”

The morning dawned cloudless and bright. Inside the Covington Group’s headquarters, work was just getting underway.

Holden stepped out of the elevator and strode down the hallway, exchanging friendly greetings as he passed. His polished dress shoes clicked smartly against the tile until he stopped in front of Ramona’s office.

He rapped his knuckles twice on the door, then let himself in.

“Good morning.” Ramona didn’t look surprised to see him. The moment Holden poked his head in, she lifted her gaze and greeted him with a smile.

“Are you free? There’s a big partnership meeting in a bit. The other side is coming in for a review. Want to join?”

“Sure,” he agreed.

Holden paused, arching a brow. “Aren’t you going to ask what the meeting’s about?”

“No need. If it’s a project Mr. Covington wants to review, it must be worth my time.”

Her answer was so breezy that Holden was momentarily thrown off. Hadn’t she always been all business with him, guarded as a fortress?

He shrugged it off, nodded, and left.

Jotham would be handling the negotiations soon. Holden could already imagine the sparks flying when those two finally locked eyes—old flames, former “spouses.” The gossip alone would keep the office buzzing for a year.

Just as Holden settled back at his desk, waiting for the show to start, his phone rang. It was Melinda on the line.