The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 148

Ramona led Wisteria into the van, where she handed her a pale blue strapless mermaid gown.

Wisteria and Ramona were close in size—Wisteria was a bit shorter and more delicate, but Ramona was so slender that the dress fit Wisteria perfectly.

“There you go. This looks so much better on you,” Ramona said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

She carefully wiped the dust from Wisteria’s hair with a damp cloth, then touched up her makeup with a compact.

“Thank you,” Wisteria murmured, glancing down at the dress. “I’ll have it cleaned and return it as soon as I can. And for today, you helped me. I’ll repay you for that too.”

Ramona just smiled. “Don’t be so formal. You’re friends with Yancey, and you helped me out at the charity gala last time. Let’s call it even.”

“I’m not really friends with Yancey. At the gala, I just couldn’t stand Solenne, that’s all. I wasn’t helping you,” Wisteria said, clearing her throat as if afraid Ramona might misunderstand.

“And... don’t defend me in front of everyone again. Anyone who gets close to me rarely has a happy ending.”

“Why?” Ramona couldn’t help but ask, curiosity piqued.

Wisteria always seemed distant and reserved, but there was something vulnerable beneath her words that didn’t fit her icy exterior.

“You don’t need to know.” With that, Wisteria slipped out of the van. She noticed the Jordon family’s group waiting for Ramona not far away, so she didn’t linger, heading off on her own.

Florence watched Wisteria leave, puzzled. Ramona had just helped her, yet Wisteria seemed almost ungrateful.

“That girl is beautiful, but she doesn’t seem easy to get along with,” Florence remarked.

“It might just be her armor,” Ramona replied. “I actually think she’s pretty interesting.”

Ramona slipped her arm through Florence’s, a little embarrassed. “You’re not upset, are you? I lent the dress you bought me to someone else.”

“Why would I be? Once I buy something for you, it’s yours. If you wanted to give it away, I wouldn’t mind. As long as you’re happy, Ramona!” Florence beamed. Whenever Ramona spoke, she couldn’t help but smile—her future granddaughter-in-law was just so sweet and considerate.

Back at the outdoor restaurant, Ramona spotted Ethan standing off to the side, deep in conversation with someone. It took her a moment to recognize the man—Ethan’s father, Zadkiel.

“Mr. Jordon is here, too?” Ramona asked, surprised.

Without further ado, Zadkiel reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of cold, gleaming car keys. “Didn’t have time to prepare much. This is a limited edition I had made. Consider it a welcome-to-the-family gift.”

The keychain bore the unmistakable Rolls-Royce emblem.

A casual remark, but the gift was worth nearly a million.

“Thank you, Dad, but you really didn’t have to…” Ramona stammered, glancing at Ethan.

Every time she met someone from the Jordon family, they showered her with extravagant gifts. She was surprised by Zadkiel’s thoughtfulness—he seemed so reserved, but he clearly paid attention. This didn’t fit her expectations of wealthy families being cold and critical. Maybe it was just the Holt family that was like that. It was clear now: not all old money was the same. True power came with genuine grace, not petty scheming.

Before Ramona could say more, Ethan took the keys from his father and discreetly slipped them into Ramona’s purse, murmuring his thanks.

Zadkiel watched his son’s gentle manner with Ramona, and for a moment, was taken aback. In his mind, Ethan was still that withdrawn, stubborn boy who kept to himself and needed firm discipline. Even now, with Ethan running Jordon Group so capably, Zadkiel always felt the need to be strict.

But seeing his son with his own family, Zadkiel realized Ethan had truly grown up.