The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 231

Nadia looked slightly embarrassed but offered no explanation, merely smiling at Ramona.

“Ramona, I was just doing my job. Please don’t misu…”

“I’m not misunderstanding anything. But I feel I should clarify things for you, Ms. Shepard. You are simply Ethan’s work colleague. If unsavory rumors were to spread, I would hate for them to damage your reputation.”

Ramona’s voice was calm and even, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Nadia’s eyes flickered, and a blush crept up her neck, leaving her speechless. Ramona was clearly sending a message. She must have seen the rumors about her and Ethan, but her reaction was not at all what Nadia had expected.

There was only one reason a woman wouldn’t be jealous over her man. She didn't love him enough.

Hearing this, the village chief hurried over to apologize to Ramona.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Jordon. We didn’t have our facts straight. Please don’t be offended.” He then turned to Nadia sheepishly. “Ms. Shepard, please don’t you be offended either.”

“But…” the little girl piped up, looking at Ramona with wide, curious eyes, “if you’re Mr. Jordon’s wife, why has Ms. Shepard been the one staying by his side?”

“Because Mrs. Jordon is a very busy woman,” Nadia interjected before Ramona could answer.

“And besides, she and Mr. Jordon only just got married. They haven’t even had time for a wedding yet.”

Nadia’s tone was soft and friendly, seemingly supporting Ramona’s clarification. But by emphasizing their recent marriage, her words carried a subtle implication that their relationship was new and perhaps not very deep—a marriage in name only.

Nadia then turned to Ramona. “Ramona, please don’t mind them. The villagers just saw me at the hospital these past few days and read some baseless reports online, so they jumped to conclusions. If you’re going to blame anyone, blame me. It was my lack of foresight that caused this misunderstanding, but they meant no harm.”

Her words were an apology on the surface, but each one was a veiled jab, highlighting that Ramona, the “rightful wife,” had been absent during her husband’s time of crisis.

Ramona studied Nadia’s expression and felt an urge to laugh. She hadn’t said a word, yet she was already being painted as the accuser. Nadia’s every sentence implied that she, an outsider, had been more present for Ethan than his own wife.

The villagers, hearing this, began to worry for Nadia and spoke up in her defense.

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