Empire 207

Nova and Holden share a tense yet intriguing dinner at an expensive Japanese restaurant. Despite their rocky past—where Holden thought Nova wanted to throw him out and call the cops—Nova insists she’s just returning a favor, trying to keep the peace. Holden senses there’s more to her intentions and teases her, but Nova remains evasive and uncomfortable, revealing her conflicted feelings through her hesitant compliments and avoidance of direct answers.

As the meal progresses, Holden reveals that he’s been placed on temporary leave from the Covington Group due to a demerit meant to prevent further harassment, especially involving Ramona. Nova’s relief is clear, and Holden notices, though he remains guarded. His internal struggle surfaces, haunted by Ramona’s accusations about his parents’ deaths and the possible betrayal linked to Melinda, which shakes the foundation of his life and work.

Nova tries to ease the tension by suggesting they don’t have to be enemies, saying Ramona would be willing to coexist peacefully with Holden. However, Holden is skeptical and bitter, feeling trapped by circumstances beyond his control. The interaction highlights their complicated relationship, filled with suspicion, unresolved emotions, and power dynamics.

The dinner ends with Nova ordering wine despite Holden’s protests about the cost, signaling her determination to host and perhaps soften their strained connection. Holden’s smirk and raised eyebrow suggest he’s intrigued by her boldness, even as he maintains his guarded stance. The chapter closes with an atmosphere of cautious truce and unspoken intentions between the two.

“When did I ever say… I hated you?” Nova blinked, her expression a poor imitation of sincerity,

but her voice was soft.

For a second, Holden almost thought she was trying to flirt with him.

“Weren’t you ready to throw me out and call the cops just last night?” Holden leaned in, his voice a low, lazy drawl near her lips. “Nova, what are you really up to?”

“I…” Nova shrank back, but Holden cupped her face in his hands. The pressure of his large frame was immense, his breath warm against her ear. “Or did I do something… unforgettable…. while I was blacked out that’s left you wanting more?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Nova’s ears flushed red, and she pressed her hands against his chest. “I’m just returning the favor from last time… After this meal, we’re even.” Her voice trailed off, her eyes darting away, unable to meet his. Even she knew the excuse was flimsy.

Holden studied her for a long moment, as if trying to read her mind. He truly hadn’t expected her to approach him willingly. He was in a foul mood today, and this girl might be just the diversion he needed. He was curious to see what game she was playing.

He chose a Japanese restaurant near Covington Group. It was famous for its chef, offered excellent privacy, and was exorbitantly expensive. One meal there would cost Nova more than half her monthly salary. She didn’t seem to mind, letting Holden order whatever he wanted.

As they ate in the private room, Nova kept stealing glances at him.

Holden noticed her gaze and, after a few bites, suddenly spoke. “Am I that good–looking?”

His question snapped Nova out of her thoughts, and she immediately looked down.

When she didn’t answer, Holden’s irritation grew. “I asked you a question.”

“I was just thinking about something,” she said quietly.

“I didn’t ask what you were thinking. I asked if you think I’m good–looking.” A small smile played on Holden’s lips. The light from the window highlighted the sharp contours of his face, giving him a striking profile.

But as handsome as Holden was, he wasn’t Nova’s type. She wasn’t particularly drawn to pretty faces; she preferred men with an air of integrity and righteousness, like… Mr. Jordon. Holden’s aura was too predatory, especially those sharp, upward–tilting eyes that always seemed to hold a thousand schemes, whether he was smiling or not. He didn’t look like a good person.

After a moment, she finally nodded. “You’re… you’re quite handsome, Mr. Covington.”

The slight hesitation in her voice, the transparently forced compliment, was worse than an outright insult.

Holden’s face fell, and the food suddenly lost its flavor.

01:05

“Alright, spit it out. What do you really want? Is this about Ramona?” He wiped his hands with a cloth. He wasn’t very hungry and had only picked at the feast he’d ordered. It was her money,

after all.

“I told you, it’s a… thank–you dinner,” Nova said, her voice laced with a tentative probing.

Holden chuckled. “You, thanking me? I’m not drunk today.”

This time, before Nova could respond, Holden cut her off, informing her of his temporary leave from Covington Group. “The company is very fair. To prevent any further harassment, I’ve been given a demerit and placed on temporary leave. You don’t have to worry about me doing anything to you or Ramona.”

At this, Nova’s expression visibly brightened.

Holden saw it all and was speechless. She wasn’t even trying to hide her relief.

But in truth, his attempts to thwart Ramona had always been for Melinda’s sake. After what Ramona had said to him the other day, a nerve that had been stretched taut for years finally

snapped. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ find✦novel.net

Holden fought against the suspicion she had planted; refusing to be manipulated, but the more he resisted, the more the doubts gnawed at him.

He didn’t dare seek the truth. If what Ramona said was true, if his parents‘ deaths were connected to Melinda, then his entire life, everything he had worked for, would be a tragic joke.

Holden’s eyes darkened, and his knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.

Noticing his shift in mood, Nova spoke up. “Actually, Mr. Covington, we don’t have to be enemies. Ramona would be perfectly willing to coexist peacefully with you.”

“What do you know?” Holden scoffed, reaching for a glass of juice before pushing it away disgust. “Unlike your precious Ramona, my life isn’t my own to control.”

in

“How about some wine?” Nova asked, her eyes gleaming. Without waiting for an answer, she ordered for him.

“Don’t. The wine here is expensive. I’m afraid you won’t be able to afford the bill.”

“I have you, don’t I, Mr. Covington?” Nova said nonchalantly.

Holden raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “You’re buying. I’m not paying. If you can’t cover it, that’s your problem.”

“I can afford it. Drink up,” Nova smiled faintly. “Since you enjoy a drink, Mr. Covington, it would be rude of me as your host not to provide one.”

She had noticed him deliberately avoiding the wine list when they ordered. He had scrolled back

and forth over it several times.

The delicate dance between Holden and Nova in this chapter reveals the complex layers of their relationship—marked by tension, unspoken truths, and a subtle push and pull of emotions. Despite the underlying conflicts and Holden’s guarded demeanor, there is a fragile attempt at connection, a moment where vulnerability peeks through the facade. Nova’s hesitant gestures and Holden’s conflicted reactions underscore the fragile nature of trust between them, hinting at deeper struggles beneath the surface.

Amidst the charged atmosphere of the private dinner, themes of power, suspicion, and reluctant cooperation emerge, reflecting the characters’ inner turmoil and the larger forces at play in their lives. Their interaction is a poignant reminder that even in the midst of discord, there can be moments of tentative understanding and the possibility of coexistence. This chapter closes with a quiet tension, leaving the reader to ponder the delicate balance between alliance and enmity in their intertwined fates.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate dance between Nova and Holden, where playful banter masks a complex web of intentions and emotions. As their uneasy truce takes shape over an extravagant dinner, tensions simmer beneath the surface, hinting at unresolved conflicts and hidden agendas. Readers can anticipate a mix of vulnerability and guardedness as both characters grapple with their true feelings and the shadows of their pasts.

Holden’s internal struggle, especially regarding the revelations about his family and Melinda, sets the stage for emotional turmoil that could redefine his relationships and sense of self. Meanwhile, Nova’s unexpected warmth and subtle provocations suggest that her role in this story is far from straightforward. The evolving dynamics between them, coupled with the looming presence of Ramona and corporate intrigue, promise a chapter filled with suspense, shifting alliances, and moments of raw honesty that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.