Colorful Balloons Take Flight
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Lucas had made quite a few enemies, toppling him was not a difficult task.
The real trouble, though, was how to reverse the damage this scandal had caused Madison and Mukino International.
Amelia, burdened with guilt, sought to help as best she could to mitigate the fallout. If she could, she’d sever all ties with that cur Lucas!
“It’s been sealed.”
When Madison saw William returning, he greeted her with these promising words.
“What do you mean?”Contents belong to NovelDrama.Org
“President Grant has shut down that media outlet,” William explained, omitting the specifics of the operation. It likely involved the wielding of considerable power.
William’s gaze held depth as he continued, “You were right. That media company wasn’t major, but they have been working for Air China, sending out live feeds to international news agencies.”
The implications were clear: Air China was definitively connected to this scheme.
Ethan got the news as well but hadn’t returned the whole night.
Madison spent the entire night in the living room. Amelia had taken her phone away, so she was oblivious to the exact online turmoil, although the outcomes were predictable: either people were reveling in her and Mukino International’s misfortune, or they were the indifferent, popcorn-munching crowd.
Public opinion is always like this-mere fodder for others’ leisurely chats.
Madison felt self-reproachful-it seemed she always inadvertently dragged Ethan into her messes. Why did she only seem to bring him trouble? She could only imagine how frazzled he must be now, though no one, including William, knew for sure.
Meanwhile, the male protagonist of the news articles was screaming hysterically, “Stop hitting me! Murder is punishable by death!”
Lucas, rolling on the ground, received no mercy from Evel’s relentless fists.
By the roadside, a car with its hazard lights flashed.
Inside, Ethan watched with icy detachment as Lucas took his beating. Lucas’s bloodied face did nothing to compel Ethan to call Evel off.
The trouble this issue caused for Mukino International was irritating, but what truly enraged Ethan was Lucas’s repeated attempts to defame and humiliate Madison. Ethan had shown restraint before for Madison’s sake, but not this time.
If left unchecked, Lucas would eventually create a major problem.
Especially now that Air China was involved, and Lucas had found a backer, Ethan decided to go all out.
Just as Lucas seemed on the verge of passing out, the police arrived.
Evel stopped in time, helping Lucas to his feet and heading straight for the approaching officers.
The police were well aware of the situation, thanks to prior calls from the Civil Aviation Administration.
“Mr. Lucas?”
“Help me! She hit me!” Lucas pleaded, seeing the officers as saviors. Ads by PubFuture
Evel spared him a disdainful glance.
The officer produced a document, “We’re detaining you for questioning on suspicion of employee fraud, salary embezzlement, and premeditated murder.”
Lucas was dumbfounded, “Premeditated murder? What are you talking about?”
“This is evidence provided by Interpol,” the officer revealed another document.
It was related to…
The incident where Lucia and Shihua targeted Madison overseas!
Lucas thought the matter forgotten and behind him, but…
“It wasn’t me! It was all Shihua’s idea; I did nothing!”
“You knew her intent yet failed to report it? Isn’t Shihua at your place now? That’s harboring a criminal! Take him away!”
At the same time, Ethan had someone dig into Lucas’s EnviroAmerica Airlines.
This time, he was determined to root out Lucas’s whole operation.
After handling the immediate mess, Michael joined Ethan in the car, “All set, just need to follow procedure. What’s our next move?”
“The news?”
“We’re handling it,” Michael replied.
Ethan gazed out the window, “This stunt is tied to Air China. I’m not sure if it’s a targeted attack on Mukino International or just a probing move.”
That’s why Ethan hadn’t retaliated against Air China yet.
Michael frowned, “You suspect the new appointee is testing you?”
Knowing your rival is key to victory.
Neither side knew the other well, which meant neither would make a rash move.
Like Qin Hualin, who was also
monitoring the events closely from home. He noticed how Mukino International merely suppressed the news and stopped the outcry, swiftly dismantling the small news agency and clearing Madison’s name through the Civil Aviation Administration. Content Belongs to
NovelDrama.Org
“What’s your take?” Mr. Qin asked.
Qin Hualin smiled, “He has a weakness.”
Madison was clearly Mukino’s Achilles heel.
So far, the opposition acted decisively, with ruthless efficiency. Ads by PubFuture
But even the strongest have weaknesses that can be exploited.
“Using a woman isn’t honorable, but this was just to gauge the situation. We can stop targeting her; it’s not a sustainable strategy,” Qin Hualin advised.
Mr. Qin knew his son’s character, “Hualin, sometimes you can’t afford to be too kind-hearted. The opposition might not offer you the same courtesy.”
“No, this man would,” Qin Hualin appeared certain. “He’s like me; he wouldn’t exploit the vulnerable.”
Mr. Qin said no more, cautioning his son to be careful not to underestimate his opponent.
After his father left, Qin Hualin picked up a photo from the table.
It was Madison.
“Hard to blame a chairman of such stature for losing his temper over her,” Qin Hualin mused.
This incident had effectively ignited the rivalry between Air China and Mukino Airlines. From this day forth, they were adversaries.
Qin Hualin sent a clear message to Ethan: He wouldn’t let Mukino dominate unchallenged.
Ethan caught the signal, loud and clear.
Ethan returned to the Wood Lake Grand Estate the following morning and found Madison asleep in the living room.
“Sir, Miss Clark insisted on staying here, I couldn’t persuade her otherwise,” Jeeves informed him.
Ethan handed Jeeves his coat and
quietly approached Madison,
.ne
intending to carry her to bed, but she stirred awake, her eyes bloodshot with concern. “How did it go?”
In business matters, Madison felt powerless.
Ethan smiled, ruffling her hair gently, “It’s all fine now. The news is quieted. Let’s go upstairs, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
In the bedroom, Ethan disclosed,
“This was just Air China using Lucas
to test me; it has nothing to do with you. Besides, after Sophia spoke out, the matter was put to rest.” S
“Sophia?” Madison frowned. “How did she…?”
“Amelia convinced her.”
Madison pondered for a moment, “So, Air China and Mukino International are now outright rivals?”
“Yes.”
Before, Mukino International’s stature was too low for Air China to even consider. But things were different now.
Madison’s gaze grew steely.
Air China, huh?
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