The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 193

Nova felt her eyes grow hot as she heard those words, still shaken by the confrontation. Instinctively, she glanced toward Ramona for reassurance.

Holden caught the look on her face, and his anger only deepened.

So this was the woman who’d dared to challenge him? Now she was playing the innocent, on the verge of tears?

What a performance!

“Nova, if you think you’ve got what it takes, then go ahead, take it to court. And you’d better start taking your work seriously. Ramona might be able to shield you for now, but she can’t protect you forever.”

His threat was chillingly direct, each word laced with enough coldness to make Nova feel as if her bones might snap from the pressure.

Nova’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could react, Ramona’s anger flared. “Holden, have you forgotten what I told you in the conference room?”

“Ramona, are you ever going to let this go?”

Holden knew now wasn’t the time to push his luck. Ramona held enough dirt on his dealings with Melinda to make his life hell if she wanted to. If she really pressed the issue, he’d be left with scars.

But in all his years, no one had ever humiliated him like this. Especially not Nova, who’d dared to bite back.

“Apologize.” Ramona’s voice cut through the room, commanding and ice-cold. The air seemed to vibrate with the force of her presence.

HR had been about to step in, hoping to smooth things over, but seeing Ramona and Holden at a standoff, she wisely kept her mouth shut.

The silence stretched. Nova, unable to bear the tension, reached out and tugged gently at Ramona’s sleeve, as if to say, Maybe...let’s just leave it.

“Fine. I’m sorry.” Holden’s laugh was strained, his eyes narrowing as he threw the words toward Nova in a low, rough voice.

But the apology landed heavy and hollow. Nova didn’t feel any relief, just a deeper discomfort.

“If you’re going to apologize, at least be sincere. Know who you’re apologizing to and make sure it actually means something,” Ramona said coolly. She took Nova’s hand. “Let’s go. Seems Mr. Covington has no intention of apologizing properly.”

“Nova.” Holden closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing his pride. He bit his lip, his tone softening. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have—”

He glanced quickly at Ramona, then fixed his gaze on Nova. “—I shouldn’t have harassed you. I shouldn’t have pressured you at work. I’m offering you a sincere apology. I hope you’ll forgive me; it won’t happen again.”

Nova followed Ramona out of the room, silent. Holden’s tone had softened, but the look in his eyes as he watched her leave was even more unsettling.

Ramona squeezed Nova’s hand, pausing only briefly, never once looking back at Holden. She addressed HR with crisp authority. “You heard him. Mr. Covington has apologized. Process everything according to company policy. Follow the rules to the letter.”

HR shot to her feet, nodding quickly. “Of course, Ms. Jarrett.”

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