The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 190

These past couple of days, Melinda should’ve been out meeting with clients, so why was she calling him this early?

“Mom.” Holden had barely picked up the phone when his expression darkened.

Ten minutes later, he stormed into the project department to find Nova, only to see her desk completely empty—not a trace of her left.

“Where’s Nova?”

He grabbed the nearest employee and demanded an answer.

The young man looked startled. “Uh…I think she…quit?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Holden’s eyes.

When did that girl leave the company? How had he not heard a thing?

Three days ago, Nova had sent him a message with a photo of Ramona’s recent project data pulled straight from her computer.

He’d been quite pleased, thinking Nova had finally come around. He never expected—

That quiet, unassuming girl had guts. The data she gave him was all fake!

Melinda had been playing both sides. On the one hand, she was trying to poach Covington Group’s team and projects for herself; on the other, she was still working to push Ramona out of the company entirely.

But now it seemed getting rid of Ramona might not be so easy.

Following Melinda’s instructions, Holden had started leaking bids for a few minor projects—nothing major, nothing anyone would notice. For now, losses were negligible, but little by little, it would add up, and sooner or later, the company would feel it.

When that day came, all the blame would fall on Ramona, and she’d have a hard time clearing her name. Melinda, meanwhile, would reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

But Holden never expected Nova’s data would backfire on both him and Melinda. Now Melinda was blaming him for messing things up, and Holden didn’t even know how to explain himself.

“Damn girl.” He tried calling Nova, but her number was disconnected. Every message bounced back with a red exclamation mark. He couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

He couldn’t just let this go. It was the first time he’d ever been played by a woman, and not just any woman, but a seemingly harmless, easy-to-control junior employee?

How amusing!

Yanking at his tie, Holden strode toward the elevators, but halfway there, Ramona appeared and blocked his path.

“Mr. Covington, aren’t you meeting with our partners soon? Where are you rushing off to?”

Ramona was dressed in a black-and-white plaid dress, classic yet modern, paired with five-inch black stilettos with red soles. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, her stride confident and purposeful, every inch exuding sharp elegance.

Her smile was gentle and unthreatening, yet somehow sent a chill down his spine. She was far more formidable than when they’d first met.

Holden forced a smile. “Just had something to handle, but you’re right, the meeting’s about to start. I’ll deal with it later.”

“What’s wrong?”

“…You can leave for now,” Holden told his assistant.

He met Ramona’s gaze again. Both their eyes seemed to hold a frosty gleam, but Ramona’s were calm, impossible to read.

“Our partner can’t make it today. The deal might be canceled.” Holden fell silent for a moment before speaking coldly.

The assistant had just told him that Holt Group called—apparently, there’d been a major problem with the project. Government investigators were at Holt Group’s office, and no one was allowed to leave.

Three days. In just three days, disaster struck Holt Group. Hard to believe it was just bad luck.

“I see.”

Ramona nodded, stood up slowly, and made to leave.

“Ramona.” Holden’s composure cracked for the first time. He gave a bitter laugh. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“Say what? My opinion of Holt Group? I’d say you should remember this, Mr. Covington: when a company’s rotten to the core, it’s only a matter of time before everything falls apart. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She glanced back, her smile gone, her eyes cold as ice.