The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 150

The video cut out abruptly, and the next instant, Ethan crushed the phone beneath his heel, the screen shattering with a sharp crack.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to break your phone. I’ll pay you back later,” he said, his tone laced with a subtle, chilling menace. A faint smile hovered at the corners of his mouth as he swept his gaze over everyone still staring at the man’s ruined phone, yet the coldness in his eyes was enough to make them flinch.

Zadkiel’s face darkened further at the display. He’d already shot Ethan a warning look, but Ethan ignored him and rose from his seat without hesitation.

“It’s... it’s okay...”

The man whose wrist Ethan had gripped tried to stammer out a response, pain making his voice tremble. Even with Melinda’s backing, facing Ethan was another matter entirely; he was terrified.

But Ethan wasn’t done. With a sickening crack, the man’s arm bent at an unnatural angle, and he collapsed, clutching his arm and writhing in agony.

“Mr. Jordon, we’re all guests here. There’s no need for violence. If there’s been a misunderstanding, surely it can be cleared up. I trust Ramona wouldn’t lie to you. You must know that, right?” Melinda hurried over with her entourage, and her people quickly dragged the injured man away.

Her words set off a wave of murmurs in the crowd.

Nadia clenched her fists, glancing uneasily at Ethan. She’d warned him before about Ramona’s past, but he’d refused to listen. After all these years, she knew him better than anyone; every time Ethan cared about someone, he threw himself in completely, consequences be damned. Seeing him now, she worried his heart had been shattered yet again.

Holden, meanwhile, sat back, watching the spectacle unfold. His gaze traveled over each member of the Jordon family, noting how they all stared at Ramona—not just with worry, but with a hint of scrutiny. Satisfied, he lifted his wine glass and took a slow sip.

A blow to the heart—so much more devastating than any physical attack. Ramona’s acceptance by the Jordons was always a matter of appearances. In families like these, reputation was everything. No matter how close she and Ethan seemed, they hadn’t known each other long. Now, with her past dragged into the open, not even Ethan’s determination could keep their engagement secure.

“Ethan.”

Whatever others thought of her, Ramona didn’t care. At this moment, all that mattered was Ethan and the elders of the Jordon family. She dropped the microphone and hurried to his side, but Ethan didn’t turn to look at her.

Her heart plummeted. The icy distance radiating from him felt like an invisible wall between them.

Was he beginning to resent her because of what he’d heard? Had he acted just now only for the sake of the family’s reputation, not for her?

“…I’m sorry, Ethan. I do have a past, but I was never married, and it’s all behind me. The reason I never talked about it with you before is because…”

Ramona spoke softly, trying to explain, but Ethan cut her off before she could finish.

This time, though, his actions shocked everyone, including Ramona herself.

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