Empire 193

Nova, still shaken from a recent confrontation, seeks silent support from Ramona as Holden lashes out at her with anger and threats. He challenges Nova to take their dispute to court and warns her to take her job seriously, implying Ramona’s protection is temporary. His harsh words weigh heavily on Nova, but before she can respond, Ramona steps in firmly, reminding Holden of previous warnings and demanding an apology.

Holden reluctantly apologizes, initially offering a hollow and insincere excuse that fails to comfort Nova. Ramona insists that his apology must be genuine and meaningful, and when Holden softens and gives a sincere apology, Ramona leads Nova away, instructing HR to enforce company policy strictly. HR, caught between procedure and Holden’s influence, prepares to handle the situation carefully, aware of the political complexities involved.

Later, Holden confronts HR with veiled threats, suggesting that any disciplinary action against him will be complicated and prolonged. HR feels overwhelmed and uncertain, trying to downplay the situation while sensing the tension and danger beneath Holden’s smooth demeanor.

That evening, Ramona leaves work early to take Ethan to the airport as he prepares for a week-long trip. Their quiet dinner together is tinged with sadness as they face their impending separation. Ramona carefully tends to Ethan’s health needs, showing her care and concern, while Ethan asks about the day’s events at Covington Group. Ramona reassures him confidently, hinting that Holden is unlikely to cause further trouble for now.

Their bittersweet farewell underscores the emotional weight of recent events, setting the stage for what comes next.

Nova felt a sudden heat rise behind her eyes as those harsh words echoed in the tense room, her body still trembling from the confrontation moments before. Without thinking, she turned her gaze toward Ramona, silently searching for a sign of support, a flicker of reassurance amidst the storm.

Holden noticed the expression flickering across Nova’s face, and his fury only intensified. So this was the woman who had dared to stand up to him? Now, she was pretending to be vulnerable, on the verge of tears, playing the innocent? What a shameless act.

“Nova,” he snapped, voice dripping with menace, “if you really believe you have what it takes, then go ahead—take this to court. And you’d better start treating your job with the seriousness it demands. Ramona might be able to shield you for now, but her protection won’t last forever.”

His words cut through the air like a blade, cold and merciless, each syllable pressing down on Nova’s chest as if threatening to crush her very bones under their weight.

Her heart skipped wildly, panic threatening to rise, but before she could respond, Ramona’s simmering anger burst forth. “Holden, have you forgotten what I told you in the conference room?” she said sharply, her voice steady but filled with steel.

“Ramona, when will you finally let this go?” Holden shot back, his tone laced with frustration.

He knew better than to push his luck now. Ramona held enough damning evidence against his dealings with Melinda to ruin him completely if she chose. If she pressed the matter, he’d be left with wounds far deeper than any physical scar.

Yet, in all his years, no one had ever dared to humiliate him like this. Especially not Nova—who had the audacity to fight back. Get full chapters from find•novel.net

“Apologize,” Ramona commanded, her voice cutting through the room like ice, sharp and unwavering. The atmosphere seemed to thicken under the weight of her presence.

HR, who had been poised to intervene and smooth things over, wisely held back, sensing the standoff between Ramona and Holden was not yet ready to end.

The silence dragged on, heavy and suffocating. Unable to bear the tension any longer, Nova gently tugged on Ramona’s sleeve, her eyes silently pleading, Maybe we should just leave it be.

“Fine,” Holden muttered, his laugh strained and bitter. His gaze narrowed as he threw the words at Nova in a low, rough voice, “I’m sorry.”

But the apology felt empty, hollow, and it landed with no comfort at all. Nova felt no relief—only a deeper unease settling over her.

“If you’re going to apologize, at least mean it,” Ramona said coolly, taking Nova’s hand in hers. “Know who you’re apologizing to, and make sure it carries some weight.”

She turned and began to lead Nova away. “Looks like Mr. Covington has no intention of offering a genuine apology.”

Holden’s eyes closed briefly, his pride swallowing hard. Then, his voice softened, almost reluctantly. “Nova, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have—”

He glanced quickly at Ramona, then fixed his gaze back on Nova. “I shouldn’t have harassed you. I shouldn’t have pressured you at work. This is a sincere apology. I hope you can forgive me. It won’t happen again.”

Nova followed Ramona silently out of the room. Even though Holden’s tone had softened, the cold, unsettling look in his eyes as he watched her leave sent a chill down her spine.

Ramona gave Nova’s hand a reassuring squeeze, pausing only briefly and never once looking back at Holden. She turned sharply to HR with a firm, authoritative voice. “You heard him. Mr. Covington has apologized. Process everything strictly according to company policy. Follow the rules to the letter.”

HR sprang to her feet, nodding rapidly. “Of course, Ms. Jarrett.”

Once the others had cleared the room, HR hesitated, then approached Holden cautiously.

“Mr. Covington,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “you don’t need to worry too much. Workplace harassment and breach of confidentiality technically warrant suspension, but with Melinda and the board supporting you, it’ll likely be just a formality.”

Truthfully, she didn’t dare say “disciplinary action” to his face. Still, with Ramona pushing the matter, she had no choice but to follow through with the procedures.

Besides, this meeting was part of company protocol. If Holden had denied everything, it might have been easier to sweep under the rug. But now, having apologized, there was no backing out.

“So, you’re planning to fire me?” Holden’s voice was icy as he watched Ramona leave. Then he turned to HR, flashing a cold, too-smooth smile.

HR shook her head so quickly it looked as if she might fall apart. “N-no, that’s not what I—”

“If you’re going to fire me, it’ll take some time,” Holden said softly, patting her shoulder with an almost gentle touch. “But maybe you don’t have as much time as you think.”

HR felt her knees threaten to give out. Why was she the one stuck with this mess? Could her luck possibly get any worse?

“I didn’t mean it like that, Mr. Covington. Honestly, I think this is all just a misunderstanding. Since you apologized, maybe we can just let it go…” she stammered.

“Handle it however you see fit,” Holden interrupted smoothly, his smile never reaching his eyes.

A cold shiver ran down HR’s spine.

***

That evening, Ramona wrapped up her work at Covington Group earlier than usual so she could take Ethan to the airport.

Ethan was leaving town for a week. His private jet was ready and waiting, and although he had told Ramona she didn’t need to bother dropping him off, she insisted. After all, a whole week would pass before they’d see each other again. She wanted to cherish every moment they still had.

By 8:45 pm, they sat together in a quiet bistro, the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the windows. But from the moment Ramona arrived, Ethan’s mood had noticeably darkened. Her presence, instead of comforting, made the impending farewell even more painful.

They shared a simple dinner, the clinking of cutlery and low murmur of other diners filling the space around them. As the minutes ticked closer to his departure, Ramona checked the time and gently reminded Ethan it was nearly time to leave.

He looked at her for a long, lingering moment before taking her hand in his. Turning it palm up, he studied the sparkling diamond on her finger. “Is it really time for me to go?” he asked softly.

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Yes. If you don’t leave now, you’ll get stuck in traffic.”

While Ramona’s mind raced through Ethan’s travel arrangements, she barely noticed the shadow of sadness in his eyes. She double-checked the medicines and little comforts she’d packed for him—though Ash usually took care of these details, doing it herself felt different, more personal.

The last time Ethan had traveled, he’d returned exhausted and sick. Ramona knew how easily he lost his voice, so she’d packed a stash of throat remedies, along with soothing teas and supplements to keep him well.

“How did things go with Covington Group?” Ethan asked, breaking her reverie as he watched her fussing over the preparations.

“With you backing me up? It was a breeze,” Ramona said, lifting her chin confidently. The neon city lights reflected softly on her cheek. “You should’ve seen Holden’s face today. I doubt he’ll try anything reckless for a while.”

Their quiet moment lingered, bittersweet, as the night stretched on.

Chapter 194 awaited.

The tension that had filled the room earlier gradually gave way to a fragile calm, yet the emotional scars left on Nova and Ramona remained palpable. Their unyielding strength in the face of Holden’s intimidation underscored a powerful theme of resilience and justice, reminding us that standing up for oneself is never an easy path but often the most necessary. Ramona’s unwavering support for Nova not only fortified their bond but also highlighted the importance of solidarity when confronting injustice, even amidst the uncertainty that lingered in the aftermath.

As the day drew to a close, the quiet intimacy between Ramona and Ethan offered a tender contrast to the earlier storm, a moment of solace and connection amid the chaos. Their shared concern and care for each other provided a glimpse of hope and stability, a reminder that even in turbulent times, love and loyalty can be a refuge. The chapter closes on this bittersweet note, leaving the promise of continued courage and compassion as they face whatever challenges lie ahead.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile balance of power within the Covington Group, as the repercussions of Holden’s apology ripple through the office. Tensions are far from resolved, and the uneasy truce between Ramona and Holden hints at a brewing storm beneath the surface. Nova’s position remains precarious, caught between vulnerability and defiance, and readers will be drawn into the emotional complexity of her struggle to assert herself in a hostile environment.

Meanwhile, the personal stakes grow higher as Ramona and Ethan’s relationship faces the strain of separation. The quiet moments before Ethan’s departure are tinged with unspoken worries and tender care, suggesting that their bond will be tested in new and unexpected ways. As the story unfolds, expect to see how professional conflicts intertwine with personal loyalties, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue, resilience, and emotional depth that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.