Empire 191

Holden is caught off guard by Ramona’s sharp and confident demeanor during their confrontation. When he cautiously asks if she has always known about the partnership between Holt Group and their company, Ramona responds with sarcasm and amusement, revealing she has been monitoring him as well. She sends him a file containing information she has uncovered about him, making it clear that she is not afraid to expose his secrets.

The tension rises as Ramona reminds Holden of his vulnerable position within the Covington Group and questions his loyalty to Melinda, his adoptive mother. She bluntly points out Melinda’s ruthless nature and suggests that Holden should not be so sure of her support. Ramona also touches on their shared painful pasts, revealing to Holden that his parents were reported by the company and died under suspicious circumstances after Melinda took over, a truth Holden had never known.

Ramona admits she is trying to create discord between Holden and Melinda, just as Holden had tried to undermine her by investing in Holt Group to drive a wedge between her and the Jordons. Holden’s anger surfaces, but he denies that Ramona’s words will shake his faith in Melinda. Despite his denials, Ramona’s calm and direct threats show she is serious about challenging him.

The chapter ends with Ramona warning Holden about the high risk rating of Holt Group and the potential fallout if their investment fails. Holden, visibly furious and tense, storms out and immediately orders the withdrawal of all investments from Holt Group, signaling the beginning of a serious conflict between the two.

Holden found himself momentarily speechless in the wake of Ramona’s sharp comeback. The unexpectedness of her words left him scrambling for a response.

“So, Ramona,” he finally managed to say, his voice tinged with cautious curiosity, “have you known all along about the partnership between Holt Group and our company?”

Ramona inhaled slowly, then pivoted to close the distance between them. A subtle, amused curve lifted the corners of her mouth, betraying a hint of mischief.

“There are countless corporate alliances out there. Frankly, I’m not bored enough to keep track of every single deal we make,” she replied lightly. “But I must admit, Mr. Covington, your relentless obsession with monitoring me is… quite impressive.”

Her tone was thick with sarcasm, but before Holden could retort, Ramona pulled out her phone, tapped a few keys, and sent him a file. The sharp chime of his phone broke the silence. Glancing at the screen, his expression darkened immediately.

“Ramona, have you been digging into me?” he demanded, eyes narrowing.

“Right back at you,” she said coolly, unfazed.

She made no effort to deny it. Today was about laying everything bare. As members of the Covington family, and considering Holden’s years of devoted service to the company, she wanted to avoid petty games. Yet his ceaseless scheming had finally worn down her patience.

Everyone was aware that Holden was Melinda’s trusted right-hand man. The dirt Ramona had uncovered was relatively minor, but if she chose to dig deeper, it could spell serious trouble for him. At the very least, she could easily threaten his position within the Covington Group.

Holden’s face paled slightly. There was no way Ramona had obtained this information on her own—surely the Jordons had lent her a hand.

Determined to mask his unease, he forced a half-smile and fixed Ramona with a steady gaze. “Do you really think these petty little tricks are enough to bring me down? Without the Jordan family, you’re nothing.”

“Even without the Jordons, I’m still Benedict’s daughter,” Ramona replied smoothly. “Besides, Ethan is my husband. There’s nothing wrong with depending on the Jordons.” She recognized Holden’s attempt to provoke her and met it with calm composure. Then, pausing for effect, she added, “But Mr. Covington, do you honestly believe you can count on your mother, Melinda?”

Holden remained silent, but the flicker in his eyes betrayed that he understood she wasn’t finished.

“She’s always been quick to cut her losses,” Ramona continued bluntly. “You’ve followed Melinda for years. Don’t tell me you don’t know her style.”

There was no subtlety in her words.

Holden’s eyes glinted with disdain. “Trying to sow discord now, Ramona?”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. Usually, he was the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes; this was the first time someone had tried such a clumsy move against him.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he regarded Ramona with a renewed, almost amused interest.

“I’m only worried about you, Mr. Covington,” she said softly, her voice laced with something deeper. “After all, you and I both grew up without the love of our parents.”

Ramona lifted her chin, unflinching as she struck at Holden’s most vulnerable point.

“Your parents originally worked for Melinda. After she left the family business, they were reported by the company, convicted, and soon after died in a car accident. Not long after that, Melinda adopted you.”

“Why are you telling me this, Ramona?” Holden’s voice was low, guarded. The words stirred something inside him—a tremor he hadn’t expected. He’d been so young when Melinda took him in, and all he’d ever been told was that his parents died in an accident. The truth had always been kept from him.

For years, Melinda had cared for him, ensuring he was treated well within both the Covington family and the company. To him, she wasn’t just a mother; she was a mentor, a leader, and his only boss.

He wasn’t naive. Growing up alongside Melinda, he understood just how cold and ruthless she could be. Still, he had willingly allowed himself to be her pawn. In business, after all, it was war—without sacrifice and exploitation, no one advanced.

“I investigated you, and yes, I’m trying to stir things up between you and Melinda,” Ramona admitted frankly. “Isn’t that what you did to me? You invested in Holt Group to embarrass me, to drive a wedge between me and the Jordons.” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn FιndＮovel.net

There was no hiding her intent now. Her smile was sweet, but Holden could barely contain the storm of anger rising within him. For the first time, someone had truly gotten under his skin.

A sharp, humorless laugh escaped him. “You really think a few words without any proof will make me doubt my mother? Don’t be naive, Ramona.”

Ramona simply smiled in response, remaining silent. Holden’s repeated denials only revealed how unsettled he truly was. She knew better than to waste time playing mind games with someone like him—direct threats were far more effective.

“Holden, don’t cross me again.”

She studied him for a moment, her tone dropping to a quiet, icy warning.

Holden said nothing.

Ramona’s voice cut through the tension, cold and clear. “Holt Group’s risk rating is dangerously high. The board has already received the official notice. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If the Covington Group’s investment fails and Holt Group collapses, you’ll be the one to take the fall. And I doubt your mother will be very forgiving.”

As Ramona finished speaking, she noticed Holden gripping the edge of the conference table so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He shot her a furious glare, chest rising and falling rapidly, before storming out of the room.

Once in the hallway, he pulled out his phone and barked into it with sharp urgency, “Pull all investments from Holt Group. Now.”

The chapter closes on a tense confrontation that lays bare the fragile alliances and deep-seated resentments simmering beneath the polished surface of corporate power. Ramona’s bold revelations and unyielding stance challenge Holden’s carefully constructed loyalties, forcing both to confront the painful truths of their pasts and the precariousness of their present positions. Their exchange, charged with sarcasm and veiled threats, underscores the emotional complexity of their relationship—a blend of rivalry, vulnerability, and an unspoken understanding of shared wounds.

Despite the storm of accusations and strategic maneuvers, the chapter reveals the human cost of ambition and the loneliness that often accompanies power. Ramona’s warning and Holden’s reaction highlight the stakes involved, not just for their careers but for their identities and sense of belonging within the Covington empire. The unresolved tension leaves readers poised on the edge of impending fallout, reminding us that in this cutthroat world, trust is a rare commodity and every move carries the weight of personal history.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile alliances and simmering tensions that have been bubbling beneath the surface. Holden’s stormy exit and his abrupt decision to pull investments from Holt Group signal a brewing conflict that could shake the foundations of the Covington empire. As Ramona’s calculated provocations continue to unsettle him, the question remains: how far will each be willing to go to protect their interests and assert their power?

Emotions will run high as trust is tested and loyalties are questioned. The intricate web of family ties, corporate strategies, and personal vendettas is poised to unravel further, revealing hidden vulnerabilities and unexpected alliances. Readers can anticipate a charged atmosphere where every move is scrutinized, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before, making each character’s next step crucial in this high-stakes game.