Chapter 12


    Chapter 0012


    Ignoring his suspicions, William carried on his tale: “Lucas isn’t an only child. He has a sister who


    works as a flight attendant. In college, Lucas was in a rtionship with a girl named Sophia. They


    were together for three and a half years, but eventually went their separate ways due to some


    disagreements. ording to investigations, Sophia had another man on the side even when she


    was still with Lucas. This man is now her soon-to-be ex-husband and also Michael’s cousin. Lucas’s


    parents never approved of Sophia because of her scandalous acting career, and this became the


    root cause of their eventual split.”


    “Sophiater married her lover, while Lucas… Lucas had a whirlwind marriage with a Miss rk.


    However, Sophia’s life didn’t turn out as well as one might think. Michael’s cousin, being an introvert


    and too sincere for his own good, could never get a grip on a wild, ambitious woman like Sophia.


    Even worse, Lucas had been secretly helping Sophia behind rk’s back.”


    “Now, Miss rk has no living rtives. Her assets consist of nothing more than some savings.”


    As William’s words came to an end, Ethan finished reviewing all the papers.


    “William.”


    “I’m here.”


    Ethan’s expression was dark and chilling, “Don’t you think everyone who betrays others deserves to


    die?


    William’s pupils dted in shock, reminding him of an old man from the Grant family. Bowing his


    head, he said, “Yes, they indeed deserve to die.”


    “Do you know what to do?”


    William responded resolutely, “I understand.”


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    “What?”


    Lucas, who was in the middle of a tender moment with Sophia, was taken aback, “Wasn’t it agreed


    that the contract would be signed next month?”


    “That’s not… we had already agreed, how can you back out now?”


    “I’m sorry, Lucas. This decision was reached after a reevaluation by our board of directors. It’s only


    a minor dy, and we hope for your understanding.”


    Expect him to understand?! What if he doesn’t? a


    His airline, Environ Airlines, is a mid-level airline in the aviation sector and can’tpete with the


    scale of Mokino International. So, when Ma


    national proposed an acquisition at the beginning of the enticing profit-sharing proposal, Lucas


    didn’t hesitate to e a subsidiary of Mokino.


    g part of a major corporation would certainly be stronger than going it alone.


    The ever-increasing domestic and international travel volume made the aviation sector quite


    lucrative, attracting numerouspetitors.


    To be sessful in the current environment, it was crucial to find reliable and powerful partners,


    with Mokino International being the top choice.


    With basically all the details sorted out with Mokino, Lucas became arrogant and upset some of his


    peers in the industry. He was looking forward to soaring to new heights with the backing of Mokino


    and


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    crushing the businesses that oncepeted with him.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    But now, Mokino postponed the acquisition date without giving him a definite contract signing date.


    Most importantly, he had already promised his pilots a sry raise in August. Without the support of


    Mokino, what was he supposed to do?


    A capable pilot costs at least a million per year, not to mention. various subsidies. Hispany,


    although small, still had quite a few pilots, not counting the co-pilots.


    Where would he get the money?


    Lucas was frustrated.


    Even when Sophia wanted to continue their moment, Lucas was not in the mood.


    He gently pushed Sophia away, dialing a number while walking out. Sophia watched Lucas’s


    retreating figure with gritted teeth.


    The next day.


    At four o’clock, it was still dark.


    Madison hadn’t woken up at this hour in a long time.


    Back when she was a co-pilot, she spent countless nights in the sky, taking for granted the beautiful


    views she was privileged to witness.


    “So early?” Ethan’s voice came from behind.


    Startled, Madison turned around, “You’re up this early too?”


    “I’m flying to Seaside City in a bit.”


    Ethan, in his pajamas, leaned against the balcony railing, staring at


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    the direction of the sunrise.


    Madison stood behind him, leaning against the ss door.


    They stood there, one in front of the other.


    Ten minutester, the sun began to rise, its hopeful light casting over their faces.


    “Madison.”


    “Hmm?”


    Ethan took a drag of his cigarette, “Ever watched the sunrise with someone else before?”


    Madison’s gaze briefly fell on his broad back, “No.”


    This was the first time she had ever watched the sunrise with someone else.


    At 5:15, the helicopter’s rotor started to spin, stirring the air and leaves around it.


    Madison, less nervous than yesterday, calmly lifted the helicopter off the ground.


    Ethan, seeming a bit fatigued, didn’t sit in the co-pilot’s seat today, instead choosing the back seat.


    As the helicopter took off, Madison spoke, “You should rest. I’ll make sure you reach safe and


    sound.”


    Ethan looked at her, “And if I end up dead?”


    The noise in the helicopter was a downside, but luckily Ethan had his headset on and could hear


    Madison,


    Then he heard Madison say, “If you die, I won’t be able to live either.”


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    Ethan’s eyelids twitched.


    He let out a small, unnoticed smile, then closed his eyes to catch up on some sleep.


    By the time the helicopter was over Seaside City, Ethan woke up.


    Noticing him awake, Madison spared a nce at the cityscape below, “I’ve heard from people that


    Seaside City is the most romantic city in the country. It’s perfect for proposals because it’s windy all


    year round. The wind always manages to blow flower petals to the lovers.”


    Ethan-squinted, “I’ve never heard of such a thing. You’re too gullible.” Madison, for some reason,


    asked with a chuckle, “Did I manage to fool you?”


    This question caught Ethan off guard, prompting him to look at Madison’s silhouette.


    This woman, who had disappeared for more than two years, waspletely different from the


    woman he had met before.


    n, he was overseas while news of his mother’s suicide, ving the revtion of his father’s illegitimate


    child, reached him. as the middle of the night abroad, and the helicopter couldn’t make such a long


    journey.


    So he chartered a flight back home. While on the ne, he was


    looking over his mother’s pictures when a woman in a pilot’s uniform appeared.


    That was the first time Ethan found a woman in a pilot’s uniform dazzling. She was as radiant as his


    mother had been.


    It was her who told him that life still held hope, that everything would pass if he persevered.


    The cup of milk and piece of candy she gave him seemed to sweeten


    the next half a year of his life.


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    When he inquiredter, the people at the airline told him that the female pilot had resigned.


    They said her name was Madison, a graduate of the top-flight academy.


    Ethan couldn’t stop thinking, why had these two women fallen into the same trap?


    Why would they sacrifice their dreams, their time, even their lives for a man?


    While he couldn’t undo what had happened to his mother, he held out hope for Madison.


    He wanted to see Madison finally break through the barriers. Back then, he didn’t have the means


    to protect his mother. But now, he was capable of protecting this foolish girl.


    Snapping back from his thoughts, Madison also felt she had asked an inappropriate question and


    decided to stay silent.


    But Ethan didn’t give her the chance: “Do you want me to be fooled?”


    In other words–


    Do you want me to believe that this is a romantic city?


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