The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 205

His offer only angered Halcyon more. She let out a cold laugh. “Compensation? The Loring family isn’t lacking for anything, Mr. Covington. You’re too kind. And please, take back the gift Yancey left last time.”

“That was a token of his sincerity, Miss Loring. Even if our families don’t unite through marriage, we can still be friends.” Fenton knew she was still furious and steered the conversation away from the sore subject. “In Havencrest City, the Covington name still carries some weight. From now on, I’ll consider you a daughter of my own. Isn’t that much better than holding a grudge against that foolish boy of mine?”

Fenton was an old fox, and Halcyon knew he was subtly reminding her of the stakes. But so what if they were the Covingtons? She wasn't going to swallow this insult.

Besides, the Covington family was in chaos itself. With Benedict gone, they were a fractured mess. Fenton didn’t even hold that many shares in Covington Group. Who was he trying to intimidate?

“You’re too kind, Mr. Covington, but I’m afraid I’m not so fortunate. After the way Yancey humiliated me, there’s no possibility of any future contact between us. I’m sure you understand.”

Seeing that she wouldn’t budge, Fenton’s smile faded, his eyes turning cold. He remained silent for a moment. “Miss Loring, name your price. What will it take for you to let Yancey come home?”

Halcyon’s eyebrow arched, her expression unchanged. “Mr. Covington, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. What do you mean, ‘let Yancey come home’?”

“Miss Loring, let’s not play games. Are you sure you can handle the consequences of being so uncompromising?” Fenton’s tone hardened, a palpable sense of menace filling the air.

But Halcyon was young and defiant. She wouldn’t be intimidated. “I truly don’t understand what you mean.”

Fenton spelled it out. “Yancey is being detained in Myridia. I know your family’s business is based there.”

“Our business is there, yes, but what does that have to do with Yancey being detained?” Halcyon said coolly. “Isn’t it more likely that he got himself into trouble through his own actions?”

“…Miss Loring, I advise you to bury the hatchet. It would be better for everyone.” Fenton’s patience had run out completely. His voice was low and dangerous, sending a chill down Halcyon’s spine.

But she held her ground. “Mr. Covington, I don’t know anything about Yancey’s situation, and I can’t help you. If that’s all you came for, you should leave.”

Hearing this, Fenton said no more.

Melinda had almost forgotten about Holden Covington. Ever since Ramona’s return, his competence seemed to have vanished. Every attempt to deal with Ramona had started with bold promises and ended in humiliating failure. This time, his blunder was so severe it had impacted her own business ventures. Her patience was wearing thin.

She had no desire to see him, but remembering he still had his uses, she changed direction and headed for the dark room.

The dark room was originally a bomb shelter built into the mansion's foundation, typically used for storage. But after Melinda moved in, she had converted part of it into two windowless rooms: a bedroom and a study. They were sealed, unventilated, sweltering in the summer, freezing in the winter, and always damp and musty. They were used exclusively for punishment.

Ever since Holden was a child, he’d been locked in here whenever he misbehaved. Melinda believed in a strict system of punishment, convinced that only a disciplined child would grow into a controlled adult. Any mistake would result in him being forced to kneel in here under a servant's watch, left to reflect on his transgressions. The longest he had ever been confined was for two weeks.

To his credit, Holden learned his lessons well. He never repeated a mistake for which he had been punished, and Melinda had rarely had to use the room since he’d become an adult.

The door creaked open. Holden was kneeling in a corner of the study, shirtless, his hair and body drenched in sweat. His head was bowed before a wall where the seventy-eight rules Melinda had established for him as a child were displayed.