The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 133

Ramona was well aware that the Shepard family’s businesses were tied into the supply chains downstream of the Covington Group. Among all their competitors, the Shepards stood out as one of the best. Word had it that the Shepards had recently partnered with the Jordon Group as well.

If this was a major project, she really had no reason to turn it down.

Still, the fact that Nadia had come to see her personally left Ramona feeling slightly uneasy.

“Let her in,” Ramona decided after a moment’s thought, instructing her assistant to bring Nadia up.

Now that she was finally at the helm of Covington Group, she desperately needed a few big projects under her belt.

It didn’t take long for Nadia, led by the assistant, to arrive at Ramona’s office.

This time, Nadia looked completely different from the last time they’d met at the banquet. She was dressed in a tailored blue plaid suit, her long hair softly curled, a briefcase in hand—confident, poised, and every bit the consummate professional.

Ramona rose to greet her. Nadia’s gaze was cool, but her manner was polite. She shook Ramona’s hand briefly, then took a seat in one of the chairs by the desk.

“Ms. Jarrett, I’ve brought a major project proposal today. We’re looking to collaborate with Covington Group, and the profits are definitely negotiable.”

Nadia got straight to the point, and Ramona nodded, immediately launching into a discussion about the project.

She’d already seen the proposal before, and it was impressive. Covington Group had already set up a dedicated team to negotiate the details. What she hadn’t realized was that the project belonged to the Shepard family.

“The proposal looks solid. Let’s finalize the details after I review it a bit more,” Ramona said after they’d talked for about fifteen minutes.

Nadia smiled, but made no move to leave. “Ms. Jarrett, I’d really like you to oversee this project personally.”

“You want me to handle it myself?”

“Yes. Out of everyone at Covington, I believe you have the most capability. I’d feel better if you took a personal interest in this venture. Besides…” Nadia’s eyes glinted with a hint of challenge, “You’re well aware of my relationship with Ethan. Our families have been close for generations, and Ethan and I grew up together. Since you’re his fiancée, I’m honestly more at ease knowing you’re involved.”

Her words sounded friendly, but there was something pointed in the way she looked at Ramona—almost as if she wanted to remind her of her connection to Ethan.

Ramona hesitated for a moment, then replied coolly, “I’ll give it some thought. That’s all for today. I have another meeting shortly.”

Nadia nodded and gathered her documents, rising from her chair. “Ms. Jarrett, I’m not very familiar with Covington Group’s building. Would you mind showing me to the parking garage?”

“Of course.”

Ramona didn’t think much of it and led Nadia to the elevator.

Nadia’s gaze lingered on Ramona as they rode down. Suddenly, she smiled. “Ms. Jarrett, have you ever noticed? Our eyes and brows... they’re actually quite similar.”

“I don’t believe Ethan is that kind of man. Maybe it’s your own way of seeing him that caused him pain,” Ramona replied, her tone cool and level, far calmer than Nadia had anticipated.

“Don’t you want to know what happened between us? You’ve only known Ethan for a few days. Can you really trust him that much?”

“I am curious,” Ramona admitted softly, “but I don’t want to hear about your past with him from you. And honestly, the past means little to me. Just as Ethan doesn’t judge me for mine, I only care about who he is now.”

She let out a quiet breath and spoke from her heart, “Ms. Shepard, yes, Ethan and I are engaged. I had no expectations for this marriage in the beginning. It was always just a business arrangement. What Ethan does or doesn’t feel was never my concern…”

As these words left her lips, Ethan appeared behind her. He’d heard rumors that Nadia had gone to Covington Group, so he’d hurried over. Before he could go looking for Ramona, he’d stumbled upon the two of them together.

Just a business arrangement…

Nadia spotted Ethan and, for a moment, surprise flickered in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. She didn’t interrupt, hoping Ramona would continue, hoping Ethan would hear every cold, indifferent word.

Sure enough, Ethan’s eyes darkened at her words.

Just a business arrangement… Was that really how Ramona saw him? Did she not care about his feelings at all?

“But things have changed,” Ramona went on, her voice still gentle but now carrying a quiet strength. “Ethan and I are getting to know each other. In my eyes, he’s not just capable and kind—he’s someone I could entrust my whole life to. If I get to spend my future with him, I’ll consider myself lucky. And I keep my promises: unless my fiancé gives up on me first, I would never break off our engagement.”