The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 297

"You came to see Ethan?" Florence was surprised. "Isn't he with you?"

"He's not at home?" The question slipped out, and Ramona's heart sank.

"Did something happen between you two?" Florence asked, a worried frown creasing her forehead.

Ramona quickly forced a smile. "Oh, it must be a misunderstanding. He went to the office for a bit today. When he didn't come home, I just assumed he came here…"

She pulled out her phone, pretending to check a message. "Ah, there it is. He's on his way home now. I'm so sorry, Grandma."

"Is he really?" Florence was skeptical, but Ramona was already hurrying out the door, giving her no chance to ask more questions.

After Ramona left, Florence immediately tried calling Ethan's phone. Strangely, there was no answer.

...

The moment she was out of the Jordon Estate, Ramona called Ethan again. All her frustration had been replaced by a gnawing worry. When he didn't pick up, she called Ash. This time, he answered immediately.

"Where is Ethan?"

Her directness caught Ash off guard. He stammered, unsure of what to say. Her tone told him everything he needed to know.

"Ash, I can't reach Ethan. If something has happened to him, it will be on you," she said, her voice sharp with panic.

The pressure was too much. Ash's loyalty to his boss crumbled. He told her everything.

Half an hour later, Ramona arrived at Ethan's corporate apartment, her heart pounding the entire way. She was a bundle of nerves and anger. But as she stepped out of the elevator, a familiar figure blocked her path.

"…Ethan," she breathed, but the words she had been rehearsing died on her lips.

The person standing before her wasn't Ethan. It was Nadia.

Nadia was wearing a simple knit dress, her hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. She wore no makeup, her natural beauty more striking, more gentle, than ever.

"Ramona. Are you looking for Ethan?" she asked, her voice calm, as if she had been expecting her.

"What are you doing here?" Ramona's brow furrowed. Hadn't Nadia gone to Fresnia Country?

Ramona ignored her and turned to leave.

"Ramona! Don't you want to know why I'm here? It's because Ethan doesn't want to see you!" Nadia called after her.

Ramona paused. "Why you're here is none of my concern. If I want to know, I'll ask my husband."

Nadia opened her mouth to say more, but Ramona was already gone.

...

Ethan sat in his dark apartment, the only light coming from his phone screen. He saw Ramona's missed calls but couldn't bring himself to call her back. Nadia's words from an hour ago were still ringing in his ears. The screen went dark, then lit up again.

An hour ago, Nadia had shown up at his door, having heard through the grapevine that he and Ramona had fought.

Ethan knew immediately that there was a leak in his inner circle. Only a handful of people knew about his episode and his whereabouts. Besides Ash, the staff would have to be replaced.

Nadia had known she wouldn't be welcome, but she had to take the chance.