Chapter 74


    Chapter 0074


    Was he asking her to go on vacation with him?


    Most couples headed to Haisu City for getaways, and they were…


    “Ring-ring-”


    Madison’s phone broke her trail of thought.


    It was her next flight assignment from the airline, with a departure scheduled for tonight.


    She had to arrive at thepany several hours early for the pre- flight meeting and routine checks.


    Luckily, the work notice provided Madison with an escape, allowing her to sidestep Ethan’sst


    questionpletely.


    Watching her bolt, Ethan didn’t stop her; his smile only deepened.


    Bec


    ice.


    f work, Madison retreated to her room, nced at her


    loon drifted off to sleep.


    adn’t realized how much her mood had improved recently; the w had mostly dissipated, and Lucas


    hadn’t crossed her mind


    It’s true what they say: People can be heartless after extricating themselves from a tumultuous


    affair.


    But this heartlessness was not the cold kind.


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


    She simply wouldn’t waste any more emotional energy on Lucas.


    That night, Madison didn’t dream at all.


    Upon waking in the afternoon, she quickly got ready to leave.


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    But as she opened her door to step out, there was a man on the phone at the base of the steps.


    Ethan, dressed sharply in a suit, exuded a refined gentlemanliness.


    He gave Madison a wave while still on the phone.


    Madison, dragging her ck suitcase, closed her door and


    descended the steps.


    Ethan ended his call, “I’ll drive you.”


    “Mukino International and Mukino Airlines are in opposite directions, aren’t they?” Madison eyed


    him, “And it’s nearly evening. Don’t you


    have work?”


    “You forget, I’m the boss,” Ethan replied smoothly, taking her suitcase and handing it to William,


    who was not far off.


    William, ever perceptive, ced her luggage in the trunk and opened the car door for them.


    Being treated this way made Madison think, “Ethan.”


    han was busy with his phone, presumably with work matters.


    Yet he responded with patience, “Yes, I’m listening.”


    Madison, dressed in her captain’s uniform with the airline’s issued leather jacket, looked particrly


    distinguished.


    “Can we… keep our rtionship strictly professional?”


    Ethan, replying to work messages, paused.


    Even William in the front seat diverted his attention to the back,


    trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.


    Ethan put his phone face down and spoke seriously, “Go on, I’m listening.”


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    Madison took a deep breath, feeling that they needed to address the situation.


    “I’ve just divorced.” It was no secret, and she didn’t feel any less of herself for having been married.


    But she believed in honesty, which was the foundation of any rtionship.


    “I don’t think I can fullymit to another rtionship right now. I can’t deny your merits, and it’s an


    honor that you fancy me. But I feel… even if I said yes to you now, it might mostly be to escape the


    shadows of myst rtionship, which wouldn’t be fair to you.”


    Her eyes were crystal clear, without a trace of deceit, as if one could see right into her soul.


    Ethan listened patiently and didn’t show any sign of displeasure, And then?”


    “Then…” Madison hesitated, “I work at the airline now, so can I, perhaps, move out?”


    ison wasn’t naive; she was realistic.


    wasn’t sure if she could give Ethan what he wanted, so in that case, she preferred not to blur the


    lines.


    She wouldn’t y someone like Lucas did, keeping her as a spare option.


    Ethan understood her, and simply said, “No”


    So much for that conversation.


    But she couldn’t use Ethan of infringing on her personal freedom.


    He had helped her too much recently.


    346


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    At the airport.


    Madison stepped out of the car first, suitcase in hand, and smiled at Ethan, “Goodbye, President


    Grant.


    He sat in the car, watching her through reflective lenses, in a stillness pierced only by the sound of


    nes overhead.


    After a moment, he said, “When you return, I’ll be here to pick you up.”


    Madison’s eyshes fluttered, but she didn’t utter a word and turned to leave.


    Hesitant, William from the passenger seat said, “President Grant.” M…


    The man didn’t respond, his gaze still where Madison’s silhouette had vanished.


    He finally looked back, “Let’s go.”


    Before her flight, Madison followed the routine – attending a meeting and performing pre-flight


    checks. She also reviewed the passenger list, a habit Jack never understood.


    “Mukino Airlines Flight 3131, clear for takeoff,” informed the control.


    tower.


    The medium-sized Airbus took off smoothly from ndon Port, heading again for Tang City.


    But this flight was different. Madison found herself distracted during her downtime.


    Even Landu noticed their captain’s preupation but dared not inquire.


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    Curious as ever, Jack wanted to speak up several times, but each time he met Madison’s cold gaze,


    he thought better of it.


    Madison returned to ndon Port the next day and was immediately summoned to a meeting by


    the airline.


    All big team leaders who weren’t on a flight were present in the conference room, except for team


    one; the rest of the five teams’


    leaders were there.


    “Here’s the situation.”


    Frank announced something significant, “A major international conference is urring in nation N,


    and our country is sending a delegation. The Civil Aviation Administration has entrusted us with the


    flight, a 13-hour and 25-minute international journey.”


    He hinted with a gesture towards the ceiling.


    Everyone immediately understood.


    These were high-ranking officials, making the flight mission critical – no incidents were permissible.


    why I’ve decided to assign two captains to pilot this mission.”


    ore him sat over twenty captains and forty co-pilots..


    Madison’s acquaintance, Brian, was not present, likely still on a flight.


    In the meeting room, no one volunteered.


    Sometimes, volunteering didn’t lead to rewards – everyone knew what Frank meant by his


    reminder.


    Do well, and there might be no reward; it’s your job.


    But one mistake could cost you your career.


    “Team three leader?” Frank called out.


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    Startled, the team leader looked up, chuckling, “Manager Xiao, you know my wife’s expecting our


    second child any day now, I… I can’t fly far.”


    Then Frank called, “Team four leader?”


    The team four leader suddenly coughed violently, feigning weakness, “I kept forgetting to tell


    Manager Xiao, but I’ve had throat pain and chest tightness recently, was about to take my annual


    leave…”


    Frank’s brow furrowed.


    Enough, he turned his gaze to Madison and Charlie.


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