Chapter 0185
“You may call it impulsive, reckless, call it the folly of youth, or even accuse me of being lovesick,” Ethan said, his expression unreadable, his voice a deep rumble. “But in that moment, in that situation, no one else would stand up for her. Have you forgotten, Michael, the unfair treatment I endured once upon a time?”
His defense of Madison was largely emotional, but there was more to it. Partly, it was for the future of his company, and partly because he knew all too well what it felt like.
“You’ve never experienced that kind of… that kind of desolation, swallowing all your grievances and anger. Over the years, through all the hardships, it was always me by your side, so you don’t understand.
“And where exactly did she go wrong? Why should she be the one to sacrifice? If I can’t even protect her from this, how am I any different from that bastard Lucas?”
His sudden outburst caught Michael off guard, leaving him
dumbfounded for a moment.
Perhaps it was the unique significance Michael held for Ethan that now allowed him to bare his soul.
Ethan downed a glass of wine in one go, his voice momentarily raspy from the burning liquid: “Since joining Mukino Airlines, she’s never made a mistake. She always refused the privileges I offered her. She wouldn’t accept anything I bought her, never asked anything of me. Yet, since she became a captain for Mukino, she’s brought nothing but honor to me!”
“What kind of books have you been reading all these years that made you think it’s right for a man like me to sacrifice a woman? Too many
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romances, perhaps? Assuming that all men don’t see women as equals? Or that, when weighing benefits against a woman, a man is doomed to opt for benefits?”
Michael was speechless.
“Let me tell you, Michael, I used to make money to live like a human being. Now, I earn for her.”
With that sentence, all of Michael’s arguments were silenced.
He sipped his drink in silence, wondering what kind of magical power Madison possessed that could transform such a pragmatic man.
His gaze, albeit involuntarily, drifted towards Ethan’s pants, that look…
Ethan was nearly provoked to throw a bottle, “What are you looking at?
“You look good.”
Leaning closer, Michael prodded, “Seriously, have you and Madison gotten so… close that you’ve already…”
“Smack!”
“Ethan! Did you just smack my head?!” Michael exclaimed in disbelief.
“What did you just say?”
Ethan half-squinted, “What happens between Madison and me is purely emotional, nothing like the filth you’re imagining.”
“Really?”
“Get lost.”
Ethan stood up to leave.
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“Hey, where are you going? You haven’t finished the bottle.”
“I’m worried Madison might be upset. I should go back and keep her company.”
With that, Michael’s hand fell limply.
Old truths rang in his mind: a man once wed is a man who forgets his
friends.
Ethan went straight home.
Madison hadn’t expected his early return. Seeing him, she sat up, “I thought you’d be late.”
“It was just with Michael.”
Ethan changed into his pajamas, then sat on the bed, facing Madison with an earnestness that felt unusually intense.
“What’s wrong?” Madison tilted her head.
Looking into her eyes, Ethan asked, “Are you unhappy?”
Madison shook her head instantly, “No, not at all.”
“You can ignore the news,” Ethan said. “People love to goss really affects your mood, I’ll take care of it.”
He chose not to act because public opinion is a beast of its own, impossible to dispel; quash one story, and another soon takes its place.
Madison had long realized this, “I won’t live at the mercy of others’ words. I’ll strive to live in a way they can only imagine.”
Hearing her say this, Ethan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He swiftly changed the subject: “You must know by now I’ve halted the international cargo flights.”
כיד
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Madiscolsessionce spoke volumes.
Ethan explainedd Doon’t feel any pressure. It’s partly about you, but it’s also found titedbenefits. What you’ve faced is what all domestic picts endure mbbooddeandlit can’t continue. If the national airlines don’t mind bfeeding others, that’s their choice, but I won’t allow my priots to be subsservent forever.”
“Consider this masporkk
“Besides, even without those reasons, I’d do it just for you. Madison, you need to underssend the meaning of companionship-it’s not just about being together anpound the clock, but also about being
meaningful when you faccmadversity
Ethan afraid Madison’s sensitive nature might cause her to overthink and feet pressured, warneddoor casssure her.
I understand.” Madison opened heerarnas wide and suddenly
embraced him tightly
Ethan, you’re so good to med
He chuckded softly, This ssawiasyvocaillogood?”
Yes.”
“There’s more.
Cikke what?”
de centy pinched her waist, “Did you congetwhatyou told me the bother day?”
Maatscon’s mind flashed back. You…
Before she could continue, Ethan ingeneeteed, Ganwa get engaged fifist??”
Engagement..Madison sensed his need for secuntity.
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Despite Ethan’s wealth and power, his heart was riddled with insecurities, a pragmatism born from it.
He felt secure only in certainties.
Madison bit her lip, pushing aside her rational thoughts, “Okay.”
Her affirmative response made Ethan’s heart skip a beat. He gripped her shoulders, looking her in the eye, “Say it again?”
Her gaze steadfast, “Let’s get engaged first.”
Engagement!!!
Never had Madison imagined her affirmative would lead to her ‘losing her job’.
On the third day, she learned she’d been grounded by the CEO himself.
While most pilots were redirected to Asian routes due to the cessation of international flights, even Brian was temporarily assigned to cargo transport.
Only she remained idle at home.
“Ethan, what are you doing?” Madison objected. “We agreed to g engaged, but you didn’t say I couldn’t fly.”
“Until the international aviation authorities cave, you’ll stay grounded. When they come to us, you’ll be the first to fly again. Then, your status and value will be completely different, do you understand?”
Ethan patiently explained his reasoning, “I must make you respected by every major airline internationally”
Madison fought back the wave of emotions his words stirred,
glancing at him, “So this is why you’re not working and insisting on taking me out for a midday date?”
He smiled lazily, “Isn’t this reason important enough?”
