The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 277

By evening, before the sky had fully darkened, Ramona was already home. Today, she was making good on her promise to spend the evening with Ethan.

After only a few days of recovery, Ethan was already getting restless. Since Ramona wouldn’t let him leave the house, he’d started handling his work remotely. Every afternoon, her living room transformed into a boardroom, with a steady stream of employees coming to report to him. Ramona knew about it but decided to turn a blind eye. She still had a few days of work to wrap up herself, and even if she stayed home all day, it was unlikely he would sit still and do nothing.

When she arrived, she saw the door was ajar and slipped inside as quietly as she could.

Just as she suspected. Ethan was in a meeting.

The living room was filled with people standing silently on either side of the sofa. She couldn’t see Ethan; he was presumably surrounded. Tiptoeing, she blended into the crowd.

The atmosphere was heavy, the silence so thick it was almost suffocating.

Ash spotted her as soon as she joined the group. She put a finger to her lips, and he shot her a panicked glance before looking back at Ethan.

The man was leaning against the corner of the sofa, flipping through a project report with one hand. His other hand rested on his thigh, holding down his phone. It was rare for anyone to see him in such a casual state—dressed in pajamas, wearing glasses, his hair unstyled. He looked nothing like the untouchable, polished figure he usually was.

But he was no more approachable.

When Ethan worked, he was like an emotionless machine: efficient, professional, and detached. Even when faced with the worst possible news, not a ripple of emotion would cross his face. His presence was so intense that his silence alone was enough to drive people mad.

After what felt like an eternity, Ramona’s patience began to wear thin. Finally, Ethan tossed the report aside and picked up his phone, seeming to check something.

Ash couldn’t take it anymore. “Sir… should we wrap this up?”

“This project is a disaster. Who’s going to take responsibility for it?” Ethan asked without looking up, his gaze fixed on his phone screen. His voice was dangerously quiet.

Ramona hadn't replied to his message for over an hour, not since she’d told him she would be home as early as she could.

A collective intake of breath went through the room. Ethan rarely looked at his phone during meetings. Was he messaging HR to have them all fired? The project had hit a snag, a big one, but it wasn't completely unsalvageable. Was he not even going to give them a chance to fix it?

When Ethan reviewed a failure, he gave nothing away. Once, a management oversight had cost the company over a hundred million. Within three months, Ethan had systematically dismantled the entire department, ousting several senior executives in the process. It was a ruthless, costly move, but it showed just how decisive he could be.

No one dared to answer his question.

His staff didn't know where to look. They stared at the ceiling, the floor, anywhere but at the couple, though they couldn’t resist sneaking glances.

So the rumors were true. Ethan Jordon really was utterly devoted to his wife. Who would have thought that a man so cold and distant could have such a tender side?

The oppressive atmosphere that had filled the room just moments before vanished, replaced by something sickeningly sweet.

Despite her concern, Ramona’s voice held a note of admonishment. “Weren’t you supposed to be resting? Who gave you permission to hold meetings at home?” she whispered, leaning close to his ear to spare him any embarrassment in front of his team.

Ethan, however, didn’t care. “I am resting. It’s just a meeting, looking at some numbers. It’s not strenuous.”

“Oh really? You looked like you were about to explode just now,” Ramona murmured back.

“That wasn't because of the numbers.” He leaned in, his nose almost touching hers, and wrapped a hand around the back of her head, his lips brushing against hers. His breath was soft and careful. “It was because you didn't message me back.”

“I…” Ramona blushed. With so many people watching, she curled her hand against his chest. “I was in a hurry to get home to you.”