The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 56

Ash explained their relationship to Nova, keeping it simple. “My employer is Ms. Jarrett’s fiancé. He’ll take Miss Ramona home. Thank you for your help tonight. Someone else will see you back.”

“…Alright.” Nova nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ramona had never mentioned a fiancé, but the man’s last name was Jordon, and Nova remembered hearing Ramona mention a “Mr. Jordon” on the phone at lunch. Besides, with so many uniformed security guards standing around, Nova knew she wouldn’t be allowed to follow.

Ethan carried Ramona all the way to the car. Ash hurried ahead to open the door.

Ethan glanced at the woman in his arms, his voice cold and commanding. “You stay here. Go check on the people in the lounge. I want to know exactly what happened.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ash understood perfectly.

Ethan had arrived much later than planned. Ramona was completely drunk. Anyone could see she’d been put in a difficult spot.

She was Ethan’s fiancée, after all. Whoever dared to get her this drunk was digging their own grave…

The backseat was spacious. Ethan tried to lay her down, but Ramona clung tightly to his collar, her body heavy and limp.

He hesitated, then let her be.

Her scent was a heady mix of alcohol and something warm and sweet, and in his arms, she slept soundly, her breathing deep and steady. Her soft lips moved ever so slightly.

How much had she drunk?

Ethan frowned, lifting her chin with his gloved hand, studying her face.

“You’re sleeping like a baby after all that booze. Aren’t you worried something might happen to you?”

His words came out in a low murmur, he didn’t expect her to answer. But a drowsy, muffled voice replied:

“With Mr. Jordon here… I’m not afraid anymore…”

Startled, Ethan gently pushed Ramona away. She slumped sideways, bumping her head lightly against the seat, then rubbed her temple with her elbow.

Ramona was groggy, so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, but her headache wouldn’t let her fall fully asleep. She’d heard Ethan’s voice near her ear, so she answered without thinking.

When Ethan realized she’d been clinging so tightly to him, his tone darkened. “You weren’t asleep?”

“I was… just so tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open… But I knew you were here, Mr. Jordon.”

Ramona tilted her head back, eyes still shut, but a faint smile played at her lips. “I don’t know why you showed up, but with you here, I know no one can mess with me anymore…”

“I just want to rest…”

The alcohol made her thoughts scatter, so she spoke whatever came to mind, her words jumbled but her meaning clear.

Ethan felt a strange pang. She really did trust him. And when he recalled her saying “mess with me,” guilt pricked at him. “I should have come sooner.”

“You’re not late… Just in time,” Ramona murmured, lips dry, voice dazed. “I finished everything I needed to do. Now I can finally rest.”

He knew she was barely coherent, she probably couldn’t even process what he was saying.

Sure enough, Ramona only murmured a sleepy “mm.”

“If you don’t want to be pushed around, you can’t just tough it out. Is it that hard to lean on someone?”

He’d told her before, if she ever needed anything, she could just ask. However much money she needed, he’d make it happen with a single call. Whether it was the Covington Group or anyone else, no one was allowed to hurt her.

Ethan suddenly remembered that Ramona was an orphan. She’d always had to rely on herself, all her life.

Maybe that’s what made her so different. Anyone else with him would have wanted something, nobody just wanted nothing.

…

Ramona slept the whole way. Ethan brought her back to his estate, where the staff had already prepared a guest room. He called for two maids to help her wash up and change. Not until Ramona was sleeping soundly did Ethan return to his study to wait for Ash.

“All taken care of?” he asked when Ash arrived.

“Yes, sir. Everything’s been handled cleanly,” Ash replied in a low voice.

Ethan nodded, thinking for a moment. “How much funding does Ramona need?”

“Around fifteen million,” Ash answered. “The contracts she signed today total about that much in investment.”