Chapter 0144
“So, why did you tell me to stay away from Yun Lei?” Madison inquired, recalling the newest recruit at Mukino International.
She remembered that only the talented were hired by their company.
“Didn’t her actions just now explain enough?” Ethan said, still
clutching her hand firmly.
Madison tried to pull back, “It’s hot, let go a bit.”
Yet, instead of releasing her hand entirely, he simply shifted his grip, fingers still entwined.
Arriving at the restaurant they had reserved ahead of time, staff members stood by the entrance waiting to welcome their esteemed guest, Ethan. Madison felt uneasy under such scrutiny.
Noticing her discomfort, Ethan stepped forward to shield her slightly, leading her by the hand into the establishment.
William, following their cue, discreetly told the restaurant manager to reduce the welcoming party to just two attentive staff members who stayed behind as the rest dispersed.
Ethan handed Madison the menu. “You order.”
While Madison browsed the dishes, she noticed Ethan hadn’t stopped working, not even for a moment.
Maybe Yun Lei was right.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Ethan caught her gaze.
After ordering six dishes, she proposed, “Maybe you shouldn’t pick me
up anymore. After landing, I can come find you. How about that?”
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His response came as a surprise, “What’s wrong? Am I embarrassing you?”
“No, not at all…”
Ethan leaned in close, his gaze intense, “Don’t even think about pushing me away. It’s not happening.”
“I just don’t want to hold you back from work.”
He continued typing, not lifting his head, “Work isn’t as important as
you.”
Π
“Aren’t you tired?” she probed, resting her chin in her hand.
“I pick you up a few days at a time, where’s the tiredness in that? Next time, I’ll finish my work ahead and devote myself to you, okay?” Ethan reassured her with a comforting smile.
Madison’s heart fluttered.
Comparing Ethan’s attitude to her ex, Lucas, she felt a pang of melancholy.
“Ethan, what do you like about me?”
Even someone as unworthy as Lucas didn’t care for her. Ethan, so
accomplished, seemed to have even less reason to like her.
“Why would you go through such trouble for me?”
He briskly typed on his emails, occasionally marking contracts with his pen.
After a flurry of activity, he pushed everything aside and turned to face Madison formally.
She grew nervous under his serious demeanor.
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His expression softened, “I don’t know where this lack of confidence
comes from.”
He reached out, and William, startled, fumbled for a small mirror from his pocket.
With the mirror in hand; Ethan directed it towards Madison’s face, Take a look at yourself.
Pointing to her reflection, he commented, “Beautiful.”
Then towards her shoulder stripes, “Accomplished.”
And lastly, at her legs, “Long.”
After a full circle, Ethan’s hand landed near her eye, “And an excellent judge of character.”
“How can you not be confident with so many virtues? If I were you, facing a man like Ethan, I’d hold my nose up high and let him cater to me.”
Madison finally let out a laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck, tilting her head to kiss him, silencing his words.
William, stationed at the entrance, turned away with an amused smile.
After the kiss, she whispered, “Your assistant is still here. Can’t you watch what you say?”
William raised a hand in gesture, “I’m stepping out now.”
As William left, the warmth on Madison’s face grew hotter…
Ethan, unabashedly, drew her close to his chest, his voice vibrating with a deep sense of security-
“It doesn’t matter if you’re not confident, President Grant himself is your confidence.”
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Madison looked up at him, blinking.
“Mon…”
Suddenly biting down on his Adam’s apple, she nearly made Ethan lose his composure.
Thankfully, she was just teasing and didn’t continue, or else they might have had to skip the meal entirely.
When the waiter entered with the dishes, the distance between the two at the large round table seemed peculiar.
Madison kept moving away, maintaining an equal distance from him, despite Ethan’s attempts to get closer.
Ethan, adjusting his tie, asked with a forced smile, “Madison, are you playing tricks, or have you lost your mind?”
Her reply came swift, “The latter.”
“Come here.”
“I’d rather not.”
If she approached him now, judging by the look in his eyes, she feared the food wouldn’t be the only thing getting devoured.
Ethan gritted his teeth yet preserved his gentlemanly smile, “Then let’s eat.”
Madison quietly obliged, not daring to provoke him further..
She thought the matter had passed, but then…
Setting down her chopsticks, she held up her phone screen. “Ethan, what did you do?”
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He looked up slowly, feigning innocence, “What did I do?”
“Why on earth did you give me a vacation?” Madison couldn’t
understand.
It was just one international flight!
On W******p.
Frank’s message was formally worded-
In recognition of Captain Madison’s outstanding contributions to the company, a paid leave of ten days has been granted, effective
tomorrow.
Madison slammed her phone on the table, “Ethan, are you settling some personal vendetta?”
“Yes.”
Ethan put down his chopsticks, his smile tender, “Ten days, I’ll take you ‘traveling.””
Madison had a foreboding feeling.
The news of her unilateral leave was known to few, outwardly explained as a temporary work reassignment, and she’d be back shortly.
Expecting Ethan to forget by morning, she was instead awakened by being lifted, blanket and all.
“Captain Madison, the helicopter is ready. Time to get up, or you’ll miss the skincare appointment I made for noon.”
Groggy and bundled into the bathroom, Ethan embraced her, helping her wash up.
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As clarity returned, she protested, “Ethan, can you-”
“Let’s talk on the helicopter.”
Before she could finish, Madison was whisked away, seated like a doll as the helicopter took off.
The pilot, a courteous Mukino Aviation employee, nodded to them,” Good morning, President Grant, Captain Madison.”
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