The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 230

However, Fenton hadn't signed the approval report and was already re-verifying the data.

With Melinda and Holden constantly targeting her, Ramona had learned to be meticulous with every major project. Even if she fell into a trap, she always left herself a way out. If it weren’t for Ethan’s accident, she wouldn’t have been in such a rush and would never have delegated signing authority to Fenton.

It seemed now that Fenton's earlier message about Ethan’s accident had been sent under Melinda's orders.

In that case… was Ethan’s accident truly an accident?

“That’s good. I’ll let you know if anything else comes up. Ramona, please take care of yourself and come back soon.”

Nova’s warm words gave Ramona a sense of not being alone in her fight.

“I will,” she said, her voice still heavy, but she tried to sound cheerful. “But Nova, you’ve done enough for me. Please, stay away from Holden.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Nova mumbled an agreement. Ramona knew she probably wouldn’t listen.

After hanging up, Ramona forced herself to skim through her work messages, her body curled up on the sofa. Her mind raced, connecting Melinda to Ethan’s accident, until exhaustion finally claimed her.

In her dream, she saw Melinda ordering someone to harm Ethan. She was powerless to stop it, forced to watch in horror…

As she reached her breaking point in the dream, a gentle warmth enveloped her, pulling her from the cold, trembling nightmare. She felt as if someone was holding her from behind. The darkness and despair receded, replaced by a sense of safety.

The man’s scent was familiar. His broad frame stood behind her like an unbreachable fortress.

“Ethan…”

Ramona murmured his name and her eyes shot open.

She was in bed, though she had no memory of moving from the sofa. A cool breeze slipped through a crack in the window, rustling the curtains. A ray of sunlight fell across her brow.

She glanced at the time. It was not yet noon, but the date… a whole day had passed.

She had slept through to the next morning.

Ramona quickly got out of bed and reached for her phone, only to find it was dead. She hadn't plugged it in.

“Well, I can charge it at the hospital.”

She quickly got ready. As she was leaving the hotel, she saw a crowd gathered at the entrance, holding banners. The banners were messages of thanks for Ethan, from the family of the little girl he had saved.

“You must be the little girl Ethan saved,” Ramona said, crouching down with a gentle smile.

The girl looked at her shyly and nodded, then glanced uncertainly at Nadia.

“And you are?” the girl’s parents asked, looking at Ramona curiously.

Ramona met their gaze and said calmly, “I am Ethan Jordon’s wife.”

“Mr. Jordon’s…”

The words hung in the air. The villagers turned to look at Nadia, their faces a mixture of confusion and surprise.

The little girl blurted out, “But isn’t Mr. Jordon with Ms. Shepard? How can you be his wife?”

“Hush,” her mother whispered, quickly covering her mouth.

It seemed they had made a mistake. But Nadia had never denied it. They had just assumed. Knowing the truth, a wave of disappointment washed over the crowd.

Ramona stood up, her gaze sweeping over Nadia.