The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 228

Wisteria’s words only fueled Yancey’s anger. His face flushed as he grabbed her arms and pulled her around to face him.

“Wisteria, does anything matter to you? Are you just going to drift through life, acting recklessly without a second thought?”

Yancey’s voice was sharp, his words spoken in a rush of emotion.

He had grown up with her and understood that her rebellious nature was a shield, a defense born from a childhood devoid of familial love. He was fine with her being a porcupine, as long as she didn't get hurt.

But he couldn’t turn a blind eye to her selfishness and self-centeredness. He had always been the one to clean up her messes, hoping to prevent her from ever straying so far that she abandoned all sense of morality.

His words hit Wisteria like a bucket of ice water, chilling her to the bone.

Her eyes darkened, and a cold sneer formed on her lips. “That’s right. Nothing matters to me. I’m just a reckless mess. That’s why I risked everything, using an outdated version of my mother’s technology, just to be rewarded with your insults!”

With that, Wisteria yanked her arm free and stormed into the car.

Yancey froze.

An outdated version?

He quickly followed her, pulling open the car door and sliding in beside her.

Wisteria turned to stare out the window, clearly refusing to speak to him.

“Is that true? You only gave them an old version?” Yancey’s voice softened, laced with a hint of apology.

Wisteria snorted. “What else? Do you think you’re the only one with principles?”

Yancey realized how hurtful his words must have been and was momentarily speechless. He had underestimated her, questioning her integrity without even asking for the facts.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you,” he said quietly.

Wisteria didn’t turn around, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.

“That old version was phased out three years ago. My mother left it to me as a memento before she died,” she explained in a low voice. “The core data for the new version is held by the Huxley family. Even if all the patent fees go to them, I would never betray my mother’s wishes or my country.”

Yancey looked at her stubborn profile, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. Wisteria was far more clear-headed and rational than he had ever given her credit for.

“Even so, using that technology to trade for my freedom was too great a price,” he sighed. “You shouldn’t have taken that risk for me.”

Wisteria finally turned to face him, her eyes filled with that familiar defiance. “Yancey, you’re just as fussy as ever. I told you, I wanted to. It’s none of your business.”

Normally, he would have taken her words as another display of willfulness. But now, he heard something different in them. If this situation hadn’t required her to act in person, would she have ever bothered to explain herself, just like with their past misunderstanding?

On the flight back, both were lost in their own thoughts, and a long silence stretched between them.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify