The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 74

In the end, everyone’s gaze inevitably landed on Ethan.

“Nadia, you’ve had enough to drink,” Ethan said, his expression wiped clean of any emotion. He turned his head slightly and instructed Ash, “Take Miss Nadia home.”

“Yes, sir…”

Ash nodded immediately and hurried over to help Nadia, but she avoided him, weaving unsteadily until she stood in front of Ethan.

“We’ve been friends for years, Ethan. Are you really going to turn down even a single drink from me? Let’s share this one, and then I’ll leave on my own. I won’t trouble your people any further.”

Ethan didn’t say a word. He simply picked up his glass and downed it in one go, never once letting his gaze fall on her.

Nadia’s tears slid silently down her cheeks.

“Fine. You’re quite something, Ethan. I won’t bother you again.”

She closed her eyes, threw back her own drink, and the moment she set the glass down, her body went limp, collapsing straight toward Ethan.

Without so much as a flinch, Ethan sidestepped her, moving so quickly that not even the hem of his jacket brushed against her.

Ash, having caught Ethan’s earlier look, stepped in right away and caught Nadia by the arm, steadying her with a respectful, “Miss Nadia, you’ve had a bit too much. Let me see you home.”

Nadia clearly hadn’t expected Ethan to avoid her so completely, not even offering the smallest gesture of kindness.

She opened her mouth to say something more, but Ethan’s cold, indifferent gaze made her swallow her words.

“No need…”

She glanced at Ethan once more, then pushed away from Ash and stumbled out of the room.

The atmosphere at the table shifted completely after she left. All eyes were on Ethan—including Ramona’s.

He, however, simply nudged the lazy Susan as if nothing at all had happened. “Don’t be shy, everyone. Please, help yourselves.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Jordon.”

Even though curiosity burned in every heart, no one dared to ask more in the face of Ethan’s overwhelming presence.

Ramona hesitated, then spoke softly, “Mr. Jordon, about Miss Nadia just now… Are you sure you don’t want to check on her?”

She remembered Yancey mentioning that Nadia came from a distinguished family, always so self-possessed and proper. For her to lose control in public like that, she must be genuinely hurting.

Ethan’s voice softened a little. “Today is our engagement party. You’re the one who matters tonight.”

“Ash will get her home safely. There’s no reason to let someone irrelevant disrupt our evening.”

But as she stepped out of the car and glanced back, she saw him lower his head and pinch the bridge of his nose, clearly exhausted as well.

Of course, Ethan was working even harder than she was, no doubt even more tired. Yet he didn’t seem accustomed to showing any vulnerability; even that faint trace of fatigue was carefully hidden.

...

The next morning, at Holt Group.

Brianna had barely taken her seat when she realized countless eyes were on her. Everyone in the office seemed to be watching.

“Ms. Prescott, the Chairman would like to see you in the executive office,” an employee hurried over and whispered.

“Who did you say?”

Brianna had just picked up her water bottle, which slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor, splashing water all over her. She barely noticed.

The Chairman… that was Griffin Holt, Jotham’s father.

Why was he here? Griffin hadn’t set foot in the company in ages. He’d handed over all authority to Jotham.

Jotham had even promised her that Winnie would never tell Griffin about her, that at least while they were both at work, she had nothing to worry about.