The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 225

Yancey lowered his head, his gaze traveling from her forehead down to her eyes.

She looked just the same as always.

Though it felt like an eternity since they had been this close, in that instant, all their shared history felt like it had happened only yesterday.

A thousand emotions surged through him. Lost in the moment, he acted before he could think. His fingers gently tilted her face upward, and in a swift movement, he pressed his lips to her brow.

The light, unexpected kiss made Wisteria freeze. She blinked, looking at him with a hint of confusion, but her eyes quickly cleared. She wrapped her arms around him, resting quietly against his side.

Yancey really hadn't changed. Even when pretending to be a charmer, he was hopelessly conservative.

But this time, it was the boldest he’d ever been… and it had sent a ripple through her heart.

Soon, they arrived at the hotel.

Wisteria meticulously checked the room for cameras and listening devices before double-locking the door.

“If all goes well, we should be able to fly home tomorrow evening. But until then, we need to maintain our… engagement.” Wisteria cleared her throat, feeling as though she was deliberately taking advantage of him.

Yancey grabbed her arm, his eyes fixed on hers. “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve negotiated with some high-level officials in Myridia, and they’ve agreed to my terms. I just had to lie about our relationship, so all you have to do is play the part of my fiancé.”

“What did you give them in return?”

Her answer didn't satisfy him. His brow furrowed even more deeply. To negotiate with Myridian officials, she must have made a trade, a deal involving something of value. But what could Wisteria possibly have to offer? A sense of unease settled over him.

“That has nothing to do with you. It’s my private business. Just consider this my way of repaying you. Once we’re back home, we’ll be even.”

Wisteria tried to push him away, but Yancey held firm. In the struggle, she lost her balance and pulled him down with her, both of them tumbling onto the bed behind them.

Yancey’s breath ghosted over her neck. The soft swell of her chest pressed against his. She was wearing a thin, floral-print dress that clung to her curves, making her look incredibly alluring.

The brief contact was enough to make Yancey’s stomach tighten. A jolt of heat shot through him; he was getting aroused.

Wisteria seemed to sense it. A flicker of something stirred in her eyes, and a blush crept across her cheeks.

“Get… get off me!”

Yancey snapped back to reality, flustered. He quickly pushed himself up and turned away. “I’m going to take a shower. When I get out, you’re going to tell me everything.”

Feeling utterly embarrassed, he rushed into the bathroom and subjected himself to an ice-cold shower. “Damn it, how could I… at a time like this?”

He was about to sign a tax report, one that required Ramona’s signature. Ramona had granted him partial authority, but Fenton knew the report had been tampered with by Melinda’s people. If he signed it, Ramona would bear the full weight of the consequences.

He thought of the trust she had placed in him before she left, and his conscience warred with his fear.

Wisteria had asked him to wait three days, but Melinda was clever. The moment Ramona was gone, she had moved in for the kill.

Fenton stared at the document, motionless.

The conference room was silent. The representative Melinda had sent sat across from him, watching his every move.

“The project can’t be delayed. Please sign on behalf of Ms. Jarrett.”

Fenton looked up. Just as he uncapped his pen, his phone vibrated. The name “Wisteria” flashed on the screen.

His eyes flickered, and he held up a hand to pause the meeting.

“Excuse me, I have to take this call.”

He walked over to the window. The moment he answered, Yancey’s deep voice came through. “Dad, it’s me.”