Empire 206

Holden is found kneeling and exhausted after a punishment, his mother Melinda arriving to confront him. Despite his weakness, Melinda demands he stand and face the consequences of his mistakes. She is stern and unsympathetic, reminding him that she does not tolerate failure and that he must take responsibility for underestimating his opponent. Holden accepts his punishment quietly, determined not to disappoint her again.

After recovering, Holden meets Melinda in her study where she assigns him a risky task targeting the Jordon family, warning him not to question her orders. She suspends him from the company temporarily as a consequence of his earlier failure and expresses her frustration with his carelessness. Holden reluctantly agrees to comply, aware that further mistakes would cost him his standing within the powerful Covington family.

Later that evening at the office, Holden encounters Nova Sawyer, who has been waiting to speak with him. She appears more polished than usual and offers to buy him dinner, trying to smooth over tensions from the previous night when Holden, intoxicated, behaved poorly toward her. Though hesitant and bitter, Holden shows a rare moment of concern when he checks if Nova is feeling unwell. Their interaction ends with Holden’s surprising admission of disbelief at her presence, highlighting the complicated and strained dynamic between them.

“Holden, Madam has arrived,” the butler announced quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Slowly, Holden lifted his head, weary and worn. “Mother,” he murmured, his tone heavy with resignation.

“Stand up,” Melinda commanded, her voice firm yet tinged with a rare softness. Seeing him in such a state stirred something faintly compassionate within her. It had been ages since she last entered this room, and the stifling heat pressed down on them both. Four hours of this punishment was more than enough.

Holden attempted to rise, but his legs, numb and weak from kneeling so long, betrayed him. He stumbled, bracing himself against the cold, rough wall.

The butler stepped forward to assist, but Melinda’s sharp glance stopped him immediately.

“Do you understand what you did wrong this time?” she asked, her voice icy and clinical, devoid of any sympathy.

“Yes,” Holden replied hoarsely, his throat dry and voice low. “I was careless. I underestimated my opponent.”

Melinda drew in a sharp breath. “You’re a grown man, yet you’re still being punished like a child for your mistakes. Do you blame me for this?”

“No,” he said quietly, head still bowed, his face hidden in shadow. “I deserve the punishment. I was wrong.”

Melinda nodded, satisfied with his answer. “From the very first day I took you in, I made it clear—I do not raise failures.”

“I was wrong,” he repeated, his voice steady but filled with quiet determination. “I won’t disappoint you again.” Latest content published on fιɴdnοvel.net

“Go take a shower, change your clothes, and meet me in my study,” Melinda instructed, her tone softening now that she had vented her anger. Without another word, she turned and left the room.

No sooner had she gone than the butler hurried over to support Holden, who collapsed against him, utterly drained of strength. The previous night had been rough—he’d been out drinking, and then that girl, Nova Sawyer, had forcibly woken him. He’d planned to find somewhere to recover, but Melinda’s men were already on his trail. He was intercepted shortly after leaving Nova’s apartment.

About thirty minutes later, Holden, now restored to his usual polished and composed self, entered Melinda’s study.

“I have a task for you,” Melinda said, sliding a freshly printed document across her desk. He glanced at it, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“You want me to move against… the Jordon family?” he asked, voice cautious.

“Don’t concern yourself with things beyond your business,” Melinda snapped sharply. “Just follow orders. If you fail me again, my disappointment will be complete.”

Holden knew exactly what her disappointment meant. The recognition he had fought so hard for over the years—his place in the Covington family, his position within the Covington Group—would vanish.

“But… the company, my work there…” Holden hesitated. The task itself wasn’t difficult, but tangling with the Jordon family was like playing with fire—a dangerous risk he wasn’t eager to take.

“You’ll be suspended from the company for a few days. Consider it an apology to Ramona. I have no energy left to shield you from the fallout of your incompetence. Just follow company protocol. Ramona can’t do anything more,” Melinda said, leaving no room for argument. She couldn’t believe Holden had been so careless as to be outmaneuvered by one of Ramona’s subordinates, landing himself in this mess. He deserved this lesson.

“Yes, Mother,” Holden replied, accepting the finality of her decision. “I’ll go to the office now and hand over my current projects.”

“Go,” Melinda said with a dismissive flick of her wrist, not even sparing him another glance.

After Holden left, Melinda opened her laptop and reviewed the encrypted email containing Zadkiel Jordon’s file. A decade ago, Zadkiel had crossed a powerful criminal organization.

The sins of the father… must be paid for by the son. It was the natural order of things.

That evening, after finishing his business at the office, Holden was about to leave when he noticed a figure quietly slipping out of his office. He opened the door to find Nova standing there.

She looked different today. Usually dressed casually, she now wore a fitted knit dress that hugged her slender, graceful figure. The sophisticated outfit, paired with her youthful face, created an unexpectedly captivating contrast.

Holden narrowed his eyes, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Looking for me?”

Nova should have left hours ago, but with her bag slung over one shoulder, it was clear she had been waiting for him.

“Yes,” she nodded, hesitating. “About… last night…”

“I was drunk last night. I might have been out of line,” Holden scoffed, a bitter edge to his voice. “You’re not going to accuse me of harassment again, are you?”

He couldn’t quite recall everything he’d done, but the memory of his drunken outburst at her apartment made him cringe. He must have been truly rattled by her to behave that way.

“No.” Nova looked up at him, then stammered, “I wanted to… buy you dinner.”

“Buy me dinner?” he repeated, raising a brow.

“Yeah…” she began, but before she could finish, his large hand reached out and rested on her forehead.

“Are you running a fever?” His palm was warm and dry against her cool skin—a surprising sensation.

She flinched back slightly. “Mr. Covington! I’m fine… If you don’t want to go, then never mind.”

As she turned to leave, Holden instinctively grabbed her arm, his grip firm until she nearly stumbled into his chest.

He was tall, and as he looked down at her, his presence felt overwhelming. His gaze roamed over her, unabashedly intense. “Since when did hell freeze over? I thought you hated me.”

The chapter closes on a note of tension and unresolved emotions, highlighting the complex dynamics between Holden and Melinda, as well as the subtle but charged interaction between Holden and Nova. Holden’s struggle with his mistakes and Melinda’s stern yet nuanced approach reflect the harsh realities of power and expectations within the Covington family. The weight of responsibility and the fear of failure hang heavily over him, underscoring the theme of redemption and the relentless pursuit of approval.

At the same time, the unexpected moment between Holden and Nova hints at a fragile connection beneath their guarded facades. Their exchange, filled with hesitation and a touch of vulnerability, suggests that beneath the surface of conflict and duty, there may be room for understanding and perhaps something more. The chapter leaves us with a poignant sense of anticipation, as Holden stands at a crossroads between his obligations and the personal ties that challenge him.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and complex dynamics between Holden and Melinda, as well as the mounting pressures that threaten to unravel the carefully maintained order within the Covington family. Holden’s internal struggle—balancing his desire for recognition with the harsh reality of Melinda’s unforgiving expectations—will take center stage, revealing more about his vulnerabilities and resilience. The shadow of the Jordon family looms ominously, hinting at conflicts that could challenge loyalties and test alliances in unexpected ways.

Meanwhile, Holden’s encounter with Nova introduces a subtle but palpable tension, blending unresolved emotions with a hint of vulnerability on both sides. Their interaction suggests that past grievances and misunderstandings may soon give way to unexpected developments, stirring feelings that neither is fully prepared to confront. As the story unfolds, readers can anticipate a delicate dance of power, trust, and unspoken desires that will add layers of depth to their relationship and to the overarching narrative.