Chapter 52


    Chapter 0052


    He had stayed up most of the night, not just out of concern for Madison’s difort but also fearing


    she might wake from a


    nightmare, upset.


    After all, divorce is a significant life event, and few can truly let go


    without a trace of hurt.


    Seeing her smile now, Ethan felt the tension unspooling from his


    nerves.


    Madison, however, slowly retracted her smile and nced sidelong at him: “So you’ve been up all


    night just waiting for me, to see if I would cry over him?”


    Ethan leaned casually against the railing, his voice rough with the weariness of the night, “If I said


    yes, would that score me some points in your eyes?”


    Hearing this, Madison rubbed her ears vigorously.


    They were burning hot to the touch.


    Ethan ught it was enough and asked, “Could you make me a cup.


    nout a word, Madison turned and went to make the coffee.


    Escaping seemed prudent; otherwise, she wasn’t sure what other heart-racing words Ethan might


    say next.


    Having juste out of a failed marriage, Madison wasn’t ready to dive into another rtionship so


    soon.


    One misstep was enough; she wanted to be more cautious in the future and not repeat past


    mistakes.


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    After making the coffee, Madison didn’t find Ethan on the balcony but noticed light in the study and


    went there.


    Indeed, Ethan wasn’t resting but was scrutinizing a contract, flipping through pages with sses


    perched on his nose and a pen between his fingers.


    She dropped off the coffee and prepared to leave.


    “Sit for a while,” the man requested.


    Ethan’s approach to pursuit was hardly the domineering CEO type, instead cing himself on an


    even keel with Madison, negotiating with a gentle and understanding demeanor.


    It was hard for anyone, man or woman, to resist such an approach, let alone Madison, fresh from


    heartache and in need offort.


    With the chair pushed towards her, Madison had no choice but to


    sit.


    Her eyes were sharp, “Are you reviewing my contract?”


    “Yes.” Ethan turned the page, “I found some discrepancies and made some revisions. We’ll reprint it


    and sign it again tomorrow.” This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    on immediately suspected it was the annual sry that was market, and she agreed, “The sry


    doesn’t match the market


    rate.”


    But no sooner had she finished than she received a light tap on the


    forehead.


    Ethan retracted his pen, peering at her through his sses, “Who said anything about changing the


    sry? I revised other terms, granting you more freedom to protect your interests in case of any


    company upheaval.”.


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    The new terms ensured that no matter what changes urred within thepany’s management,


    Madison’s flight duties would always fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Flight Department


    Manager.


    Frank, that was, Ethan’s man.


    Meaning, even if some unforeseen event left Ethan unable to run thepany, Madison wouldn’t


    be subject to anyone else’s whims.


    Of course, it was just a precaution, with the likelihood being slim.


    Ethan, however, was ustomed to nning ahead, anticipating potential issues and having


    solutions ready-that’s what brought him. peace of mind.


    “Refill this pen for me, would you?” Ethan ced the pen in front of her, took a sip of coffee, and


    leaned back in his chair, half-closing his eyes as he stirred his brew.


    Madison took the pen, unscrewed the ink bottle, and did as he


    asked.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Ethan’s handwritten


    the contract and raised an eyebrow.


    early had practiced calligraphy; his strokes were forceful, r, almost menacing.


    Distracted by this realization, Madison identally dipped her finger into the ink bottle, staining her


    fingertips ck.


    As she looked around for tissues, her wrist was suddenly grasped, and she was pulled toward


    Ethan, her chair wheeling along with her.


    Ethan took off his sses and began meticulously wiping the ink. from her fingers with a wet wipe.


    Even with such proximity, there was no hint of flirtation in his touch,


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    just a firm hold on her hand, nothing more.


    Madison tried several times to pull away without sess.


    “Are you that afraid of me?” Ethan didn’t look up.


    Madison exhaled, “It’s not that-I just don’t want to trouble you.”


    “What’s there to be troubled about?” Ethan released her, his smile yful, “Familiarity breeds


    comfort. Trouble me a few more times, and you’ll get used to it, right?”


    Madison couldn’t remember how many times she’d been left speechless by his words.


    Frowning, she showed her displeasure, “Ethan, can you not be like this?”


    But Madison’s displeased expression was dangerously close to pouting.


    Ethan propped his hand against his forehead, shadow partly covering his face under the dim light.


    His smile seemed gentler than ever, “What did I do?”


    “Just…” Madison hesitated, “Like what you just did.”


    “Wipe your hand?”


    “No, it’s those things you said.”


    Ethan feigned confusion, “So I can’t even talk to you? Madison, aren’t you being a bit tyrannical?”


    Madison’s irritation turned intoughter before she realized it.


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    Seeing her smile, Ethan joined in.


    He patted her head gently, “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”


    “I should go; you’re busy,” Madison said, standing.


    Ethan, however, had another request, “There’s a tape measure over there. Could you measure your


    bust, waist, and hips and give me the numbers? The HR department keeps asking for your


    measurements, and I haven’t provided them yet.”


    Madison stopped in her tracks.


    Slowly, she turned back to look at Ethan.


    After a few seconds, she started searching in the direction Ethan


    had indicated.


    Ethan, sipping his coffee, watched Madison with the scrutiny of a


    bona fide CEO.


    “Can I… take the measurements at home?”


    Ethan nced around, “Is my study too small to contain you?”


    Madison’s face seemed to grow thicker, “You’re staring at me; it’s


    ufortable.”


    mensions needsfort?” Ethan stood up with a measure; I’ll turn around!”


    Madison couldn’t grasp why it had to be done right here.


    Yet Ethan seemed to read her mind!


    He murmured, “I’m worried you’ll forget the measurements in your nervousness if you have toe


    back and tell me. Did you know my overtime is expensive?”


    “You get a sry as a boss?” Madison measured as she spoke.


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    “Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to work.”


    “But isn’t the money you’re making all yours?”


    Ethan took a sip of coffee, “That’s true. But when I’m in a good mood, I’ll deduct a little from the


    other shareholders to give myself a bonus for the extra hours.”


    Madison was taken aback, “Would the shareholders agree to that?”


    His tone was nonchnt, “You think Jessica would dare to disagree?”


    Jessica: … The tragic fate of having a brother who’s a relentless debt collector.


    At this point, Ethan slightly turned his chair and suggested, “In the future, I’ll spend my overtime on


    buying you pretty clothes and bags. Don’t all women love those things?”


    Madison instinctively replied, “Who said that? I’m not particrly fond of them.”


    With his back to her, Ethan’s chuckle was silent, his voice increasingly tender-


    “Then we’ll save it up and someday buy you a big ne to fly.”


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