Chapter 0156
After all, it wasn’t worth having Ethan get into any trouble over such a despicable person.
At a certain hospital.
Lucas, whose throat ached from chain-smoking, hurriedly laid back on the hospital bed, a joy he couldn’t hide spreading across his face.
He knew Madison was still soft-hearted, still loved him.
No sooner had she heard of his hospitalization than she was on her way to see him.
–
So what if Ethan was rich?
He couldn’t keep Madison’s heart, could he?
Lucas was already planning his mockery of Ethan once Madison returned to his side, how his company would flourish with an award- winning pilot like her.
He envisioned making her work a little longer, her temperament always so agreeable, she surely wouldn’t refuse.
On the hospital bed, Lucas indulged the fantasy of his looming days
as a magnate.
“Sir, sir! This is a private room, and without registration, you cannot just-”
The nurse protested.
Following cl
with a ni
Michael saw the anger on his brother’s face and,
screened the little nurse, his rogue’s smile
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sending a flutter through her.
“The lovely nurse, we’ve come to visit a patient. Unfortunately, this man’s gone and hurt himself; we’re just showing concern. You, with your tender heart, couldn’t bear to see our brotherly love falter, could you?”
Dazed, the nurse nodded.
In that brief lapse, Ethan had made his way into Lucas’ hospital room.
Lucas had caught the muffled voices in the hallway. He’d left half the ward open to ensure some private space with Madison.
So he presumed it must be her.
Thus, he turned his back to the door, feigning agonizing pain, occasionally mustering a cough that depicted a real sense of frailty.
The door swung open.
Lucas didn’t turn, playing his part to the hilt.
Little did he know, Ethan, who had entered, slipped off his jacket and tossed it to William.
William caught it cleanly, then shut the door, guarding against intruders.
Lucas, puzzled by the footsteps, thought they sounded like dress shoes.
Did Madison wear such shoes?
Just as he decided to look, what met his eyes wasn’t Madison but an imposing figure and…
A fist, sharp and heavy.
“Bang-”
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“Aaah-” Lucas’ scream was ear-piercing, enough to reverberate through the entire floor.
The nurse, tripped up by Michael, stood up at the commotion.
Michael quickly pressed down on her shoulder, solemnly explaining, No cause for alarm. It’s just our unique way of greeting each other. My brother is just too thrilled, couldn’t help but raise his voice.”
The nurse hesitated, “Really? But it sounded like the patient was in pain.”
“Of course, he’s in pain.” Michael reasoned, “You wouldn’t want your best friend to see you screw up, right? Especially for men, pride is a delicate thing.”
Somehow, her doubts seemed to dissolve.
Inside the room.
Lucas had stopped screaming after that first outcry.
It wasn’t that he had passed out or given up, but because Ethan had clamped a hand over his mouth.
Ethan’s punches, none lethal, inflicted the kind of pain that made death seem merciful.
“Being a nuisance, are you?”
“Bang-”
“Having regrets, are you?”
“Bang-”
A barely perceptible murderous intent flickered in Ethan’s eyes, well-
concealed, invisible to any casual observer.
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Ethan’s possessiveness over Madison had reached its zenith.
Now with Lucas reemerging, pestering Madison time and again, he was torn between worry she’d relent and rage.
But he couldn’t vent on Madison, so Lucas’ earlier call had provided Ethan a perfect outlet for his fury.
William, after watching for a moment, turned away, grimacing.
It must hurt like hell.
Lucas was defenseless.
An enraged Ethan was terrifying, acting without concern for
consequences.
For five whole minutes, not a second more, nor less.
Ethan ceased, leaving Lucas curled up on the bed, trembling, his voice, a whisper of life.
His nose bled profusely, staining the white sheets crimson.
Anyone unaware might have thought it a fatality, but in truth, Lucas was just in severe pain, no medical emergency.
“Fearful Madison might worry, I won’t take anything from you. But let me know if you harass my girlfriend again, and I’ll chop off your hands, you hear me?”
Ethan tugged at Lucas’ slightly longer hair.
Lucas, gasping weakly, glowered back.
“You should know, if I really wanted you dead, I could afford it. But you only have one life.”
Ethan pulled out some tissues, surprisingly wiping Lucas’ hose.
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Then, he stuffed the blood-soaked tissues into Lucas’ mouth.
Hearing footsteps, William opened the door in a flash.
As Ethan retrieved his jacket, he strode out, the force of his presence leaving the nurse speechless.
Because…
She recognized him-the Chairman of Mukino International, the one who’d been all over the news!
Michael flashed a smile at the nurse, “Thank you, miss. Goodbye.”
And the men swaggered away.
As they descended in the elevator, Michael drawled, “You used to be above this sort of thing.”
“That was then,” Ethan retorted.
People thought Ethan, with his wealth and influence, could crush anyone at whim.
Yet this was his first time actually confronting someone.
He rarely used his power to oppress
Business rivals were an exception, of course.
One moment, the icy-faced Ethan, the next, answering a call with. surprising tenderness, “I’m done here, I’ll be right back.”
It was Madison.
Michael, hearing that saccharine tone, looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
After a low-voiced exchange with Madison, the men made it to the parking garage.
Once the call ended, Ethan’s demeanor flipped back to the prior
coldness.
“Check if Trans-American Airlines has any skeletons in the closet,” Ethan instructed, slipping into the car.
Michael followed, casting a glance, “Ready to go for the jugular?”
Ethan’s gaze swept over, “Are you suggesting I hold back?”
“Yes. Mercy is good for everyone.”
Ethan was unyielding, “I can’t show any.”
Anyone who dared challenge him for Madison would face a grim end.
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