The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 271

Flynn was already regretting bringing her. Eulalia had absolutely no sense. Given the Holt family's current reputation, shoving business cards in people's faces was just asking for a cold shoulder.

"The seating is assigned inside," Eulalia grumbled. "What else was I supposed to do?"

She was frustrated but not defeated. If she couldn't make headway, her mother and grandmother could. Winnie had been a renowned socialite in her day. Even though she’d spent recent years playing cards at home, the husbands of her old friends were all CEOs and industry leaders. Her social network was extensive; she wouldn't be left speechless at an event like this.

And then there was Liliane.

When the family patriarch, Alaric Holt, was building his empire, he had worked with many of Havencrest City’s key investors. He was known for his generosity and had a reputation for helping others without asking for anything in return, earning him immense respect. People would still show Liliane a degree of courtesy for Alaric's sake.

…

As Eulalia paced restlessly outside, a motorcade-worthy Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up to the entrance. Its long chassis, like a mobile black palace, was so magnificent that it instantly made every other vehicle nearby look insignificant.

"Now who is that?" Eulalia exclaimed, grabbing Flynn's arm. He turned to look as well.

The car came to a stop, and before anyone even stepped out, a flock of valets and reception staff swarmed forward.

Flynn frowned, trying to place the level of pomp and ceremony. "Could it be the Covingtons?"

The summit had drawn industry leaders from all over the country, but when it came to Havencrest City's most powerful players, the Covingtons were the first to come to mind.

"The Covingtons? You mean… the Covington heiress?" Eulalia's eyes practically bulged with excitement. She didn't follow business news closely, but even she had heard about the sensational inheritance story.

Eulalia knew she was out of her league and didn't dare dream of connecting with them, but curiosity got the better of her. She pulled Flynn toward the car, eager to catch a glimpse of the woman herself. Before they could get close, a line of security guards stepped in their way.

"What are you two doing?" the head of security asked impatiently.

"We..." Eulalia looked to Flynn for help.

Flynn held up their invitation. "We're guests."

"The guest entrance is over there," the guard said, waving them off. The entire area in front of the hotel was under lockdown for the VIP arrivals, and every entrance was tightly managed. Eulalia's loitering had not gone unnoticed.

"Oh... we were just looking," Flynn said with a weak smile. He discreetly slipped a pack of expensive cigarettes into the man's pocket. "My wife isn't used to seeing this kind of thing. Any idea who the big shot is?"

"How would I know?" The gesture softened the guard's tone, but he still waved them away. "You'd better not get any closer. If you want to watch, do it from here." With that, he turned and walked away, no longer paying them any mind.

"Ramona!" Eulalia couldn't get any closer, so she shouted her name across the lobby.

Ramona heard a familiar voice call her name and looked up, her eyes meeting Eulalia's across the crowded space.

Her assistants and guards exchanged surprised glances, wondering who would dare address their boss so informally.

"Miss, is that an acquaintance?" one of them asked quickly.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ramona's face. She straightened up, her gaze locking with Eulalia's.

Flynn caught up, wrapping an arm around his wife. "Eulalia, stop it. You can't cause a scene in here—"

"Look closely," Eulalia cut him off. "It's Ramona!"

Flynn's words died in his throat. He stared, frozen. The woman standing there was, without a doubt, Ramona. She possessed the same cool, striking beauty that always made her stand out, but something about her was profoundly different from her time with the Holt family.

Ramona had been utterly transformed. It wasn't just her style of dress that had changed; her entire aura was different, radiating an untouchable elegance and a quiet, formidable pressure.