The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 211

Nadia was momentarily stunned by the look in his eyes, but she forced herself to meet his gaze, even managing a small, pained smile. “It seems you don’t trust Ramona as much as you claim. If you know that no one could handle that kind of pressure, why can’t you forgive me?”

“Don’t dress up your betrayal in such noble terms,” Ethan’s voice was deep, the sheer force of his presence making Nadia’s face turn pale. “And I have never, ever harmed an innocent person.”

Ash was starting to panic. Seeing the storm brewing in Ethan’s eyes, he warned Nadia again, his voice sharp. “Miss Shepard! Please stop. This is a business trip. Mr. Jordon’s personal matters are not to be discussed here. I must ask you to return to your room!”

Nadia’s eyes welled with tears, but she refused to appear weak again, refused to cry. She stood her ground, her jaw tight. “Ethan, I didn’t betray you. You were the one who was so absolute…”

“I believe I have made myself perfectly clear. As for Ramona and me…” Ethan took a step forward, moving past Ash. The predatory look in his eyes sent a deep, primal fear through Nadia, and she involuntarily took a step back.

Ethan’s breathing steadied, his voice as cold as the night air. “If she can’t accept me, then so be it.”

With that, he turned and strode away without another word.

A cold sweat had broken out on Ash’s back. He watched Ethan’s retreating figure, his heart finally returning to its normal rhythm.

“Please excuse us, Miss Shepard.” His usual politeness was gone, replaced by a curt dismissal as he quickly followed Ethan.

Nadia felt as if all her strength had been drained away, her legs threatening to buckle. An assistant hurried over from a distance, a look of concern on her face. “Miss Shepard…”

“Did you get it?” Nadia asked, her breathing heavy as she looked at the camera in the assistant’s hand.

The assistant nodded and handed it over. “It’s just… Mr. Jordon… Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Nadia checked the photos. Taken from a distance, they showed the two of them standing very close. Some of the shots, with the right context, could definitely be interpreted as intimate. The bitter irony was that the only reason he had moved closer was out of pure loathing for her.

Tomorrow they would be leaving. Ash went to Ethan’s room to help him pack, as was his custom, but Ethan waved him away before he even reached the door. Knowing his boss was in a foul mood, Ash didn’t insist, simply saying he would return in the morning.

The door closed softly.

The tension finally drained from Ethan’s body. He rubbed his temples, Nadia’s words echoing in his mind, threatening to pull him back into that familiar darkness. He took a deep breath, forcing down the fear that coiled in his gut.

He pulled out his phone and, after a long hesitation, called Ramona.

“Ethan… what’s wrong?” Her sleepy voice, murmuring his name so intimately, instantly dispelled the chill that had settled over him.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you? I just… suddenly missed you.”

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