The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 254

If she managed to stay, in return for the company investing in her, Ramona wanted the licensing rights to Wisteria’s mother’s patent.

Only then did Wisteria feel a sense of relief. The problem was, she hadn't yet secured the patent rights from the Huxley family, and she wasn't sure she ever would.

To her surprise, Ramona seemed unfazed by her lack of confidence.

"Just try," Ramona had said. "Are you really too scared to even try?"

That one sentence had ignited a spark of fight and pride in Wisteria. If she had a chance, of course she wanted to try. As long as Ramona remained detached and didn't expect too much from her. She couldn't bear the weight of someone else's expectations.

While Wisteria was waiting in the lobby, Holden happened to be arriving at Covington Group. He immediately recognized her familiar face.

It was his first day back at the office, and he was already stumbling upon something interesting.

What was Wisteria Huxley doing at Covington Group? And dressed so formally, too, as if she were here for a job.

"Ms. Huxley?"

Holden called out softly, and before Wisteria could react to his sudden appearance, he had already sat down beside her.

The scent of his cologne was overpowering. Wisteria immediately scooted away, putting distance between them.

"Holden, don't sit so close to me."

They weren't close, and their relationship was far from friendly. They had only ever crossed paths at various parties and business functions.

Holden was a social butterfly. After greeting Solenne Huxley, he would always make a point to chat warmly with Wisteria as well. But to Wisteria, his brand of social charm was no different from that of a flittering playboy.

Holden was used to Wisteria’s cold demeanor and paid it no mind. "What brings you to Covington Group all of a sudden? Are you here to see someone? Or do you need help with something? I can take care of it for you."

"No, thank you." Wisteria didn't want to engage with him and stood up to leave.

But Holden casually grabbed her hand. He was strong, and with just a slight tug, her forward momentum sent her stumbling back. Her high heel slipped, and she fell straight into his arms.

Holden had a liberal attitude towards women and was about to wrap his arms around Wisteria’s body, which he noted was quite exquisite. He was more than happy to enjoy the moment.

But before his hands could touch her arms, Wisteria shoved him hard in the thigh. The sudden pain contorted Holden’s face, and he nearly cried out in an undignified yelp.

Wisteria tumbled awkwardly to the floor beside him and scrambled back to her feet.

"Ms. Huxley…" Holden seethed through clenched teeth. "I was just trying to help you. What was that for?"

Why was this woman so violent?

Rumor had it that she had a long line of suitors, and even Yancey had been utterly captivated by her. Holden had always wondered if her icy exterior hid a fiery passion.

Looking at her now, he started to think those men must be masochists. This was definitely not his type.

"Miss Wisteria!"

…

Jotham couldn't get through to Brianna. She was likely unable to accept the divorce and was using avoidance as a way to delay the inevitable conversation.

But where could she go if she left the Holt family?

Back home?

The thought that Brianna had also had a falling out with her parents because of him sparked a flicker of guilt in Jotham.

But that guilt wasn't enough to sway his decision to divorce her.

On one hand, he needed to resolve their situation quickly to get his hands on the trust fund…

On the other hand, he wanted to find Ramona. His mind was consumed with thoughts of her. He was going mad with the desire to possess her.

Jotham had spent the entire day trying to contact friends who might still be in touch with Ramona. She had completely cut him out of her life, deleting all contact information. He could no longer go to Holt Group or her apartment building to find her.

He knew he couldn't just wait around forever; time was slipping away, and with it, any chance he had with her.

But as he went through his list of mutual college friends, he found that not a single one of them was in contact with Ramona. Most of those friends were part of his social circle, not hers.

He was beginning to realize that the Ramona he thought he knew all these years was just a phantom of his own creation.