Chapter 0093
She didn’t actively ask Frank for the reason nor did she offer any explanations.
There was no need for explanations.
As the captain, abandoning her passengers, who were all VIPs, was a dereliction of duty. Being grounded was the expected consequence.
For a pilot, being grounded was akin to an indelible stain on their career. It likely meant that Madison’s aspirations to qualify for piloting the Airbus A380 next year were now out of reach.
Though being grounded was distressing, if given another chance, Madison would make the same choice again. The mere thought that Ethan might have died alone in some desolate place made her
involuntarily clutch at her heart.
Watching a couple walk down the hallway, she suddenly realized something shocking.
A fact that even she found surprising.
It seemed…
She might truly have fallen for Ethan
But how could this be, after knowing each other for merely two months? Typically, Madison was more inclined towards rationality.
Alone, she would silently analyze her feelings.
–
She didn’t want to let anyone down, especially Ethan, who had always been helping her. Madison questioned herself was it because she hadn’t felt warmth in a long time that she harbored these feelings for Ethan?
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If it was just gratitude and being moved, that wasn’t love.
Yet, facing Ethan’s disregard for his own life to protect her, what spread through her heart was not rich, heavy gratitude, nor tears brimming in her eyes.
It was worry, fear, and anger.
Worry for his well-being.
Fear that he would never return.
Anger that he was so reckless with his life.
Madison closed her eyes, her emotions and principles battling it out
in a silent war within her mind.
When she opened her eyes, only clarity remained, crystal clear as a flowing stream.
Madison had never feared any challenge or difficulty, a trait that had made her an outstanding pilot.
So…
She accepted the ridiculous fact that she had developed feelings fo another person only two months after her divorce.
And what came next was simple.
If she liked him, she liked him; there was nothing to hide.
That afternoon.
William arrived in the corridor with an entourage of bodyguards, looking harried and travel-worn.
“President Grant!”
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As Ethan saw William enter, his first words were, “Make sure the bills are paid.”
“It’s been taken care of,” William circled around to him. “How are you, President Grant? Are the injuries serious?”
“I’m fine,” Ethan shook his head.
No life-threatening injuries, but the external wounds to his lower back and legs were severe. It might be impossible to walk on his own for a while.
William immediately had someone fetch a wheelchair.
“Oh, right.”
He recalled a matter of urgency, “President Grant, Captain Madison… she’s just been grounded by the company.”
The room fell silent at these words. After a while, Ethan asked, “Say that again?”
“Captain Madison has been grounded. The notice has been issued and the document should be at the Civil Aviation Administration
tonight,” William said. “It was your father…
With Ethan incapacitated, the company lacked a leader. To prevent any stir within the board of directors, Mason rushed to Mukino International to handle the situation personally, trying to appease the important passengers.
Otherwise, if those passengers took offense and sued Mukino International, it could impact the Grant family’s vast empire.
After all, the incident had already caused a media stir domestically, attracting significant attention.
Sacrificing Madison to save the entirety of Mukino International was the most cost-effective solution.
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Ethan’s face was expressionless, “Why didn’t you stop it?”
William faltered, “I was rushing over here, I couldn’t be in two places at once, President Grant. Besides, I’m just a secretary, even if I
wanted to stop it, I couldn’t. Julius was at the company too, and all the shareholders were flocking to him.”
Madison’s grounding document would likely be delivered to the Civil Aviation Administration that evening.
Once received by the Civil Aviation Administration, no one could change Madison’s grounding.
Biting his lip, Ethan sat up despite the IV in his hand, “I’m going back to the country.”
“Ethan!” Michael tried to stop him, “Your injuries haven’t healed yet! Do you not care about your legs?”
“Didn’t you hear she’s been grounded?” Ethan pulled at Michael, “She was grounded because she went looking for me!”
Mason and Julius dared to cause trouble while he was away.
Michael sensed Ethan’s suppressed rage, the man’s eyes even flashed with murderous intent.
“Ethan, don’t…” Michael said, “Don’t be rash! Call the company first to stop it.”
“Stop?” Ethan laughed coldly, “If they were afraid I’d stop them, they wouldn’t have done it. They really think they’ve lived long enough.”
“Ethan?”
Madison, returning from the restroom, was surprised to see Ethan actually leaving the hospital room.
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Ethan, ignoring his pain, pulled her along as he walked out.
William pushed the wheelchair, “President Grant, use the wheelchair!”
Madison, not understanding what was happening, urged, “You should sit in the wheelchair.”
Ethan remained silent, his presence heavy.
He gripped her hand tightly, a bit too strongly, causing her pain, but she didn’t speak out.
The atmosphere was wrong, and she felt it best to remain silent.
Only once they were aboard the Mukino Airlines plane and seated, Ethan finally turned to her with a grave tone, “Madison, what do you mean by this? What am I to you?”
His tone frightened Madison.
She opened her mouth, confused by his question, “What do you mean, what are you to me?”
“Why didn’t you mention the grounding?” Ethan’s gaze was almost terrifying.
Dark clouds swirled in his eyes, bringing a whiff of a chilling air with them.
When Ethan was truly angry, it wasn’t readily apparent; only his eyes conveyed the depth of his feelings.
Madison instinctively shrank back, “The reasons for my suspension are solid. I have nothing to argue or excuse for. What could I say to you? That you’d make an exception for me?”
But Ethan’s retort left her speechless, “Why not?”
Ethan felt like he was about to explode with anger. His fingers curled, striking the armrest between them with force.
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“I’ve made it clear to you. Whatever happens, I can protect you! And as the boss of Mukino Airlines, if I can’t even take care of the person I like, then what’s the point of pursuing you?”
He almost roared the final words.
“Once the grounding document reaches the Civil Aviation Administration, Madison, you won’t be flying for a while. Do you understand your career might be over?!”
Madison blinked.
So, his sudden haste to return to the country was because of her suspension?
She lowered her gaze, recalling her previous thoughts.
After a moment, she cautiously placed her hand on his, “Don’t be angry, okay? I just didn’t want to worry you anymore. I’m sorry.”
Ethan felt as if his heart had been cleaved open. He stared intensely at the woman beside him.
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