Chapter 0157


    Chapter 0157


    “Madison, you wretched woman! Are you toying with me? Now that you’ve climbed up the social


    ladder, you dare to deceive me? Who do you think you are? If it wasn’t for your passable looks, do


    you think Ethan would have spared you a second nce? He’s just using you because you can fly a


    ne, because you’re useful! Do you really see yourself as a phoenix who’s ascended to the


    treetops?


    “Pah! I’m actually relieved I dropped you. I’d rather pay forpany than touch you again, you


    shameless hussy! Harlot!”


    Over the phone, Lucas raved like a man unhinged, spewing every vile insult at Madison he could


    muster.


    Madison, unfazed, did not hang up. Instead, she recorded the tirade, choosing not to interrupt his


    vulgar outburst.


    “Why aren’t you saying anything? nning to run to Ethan and tattle, to make him fight your battles


    again, are you? You’re truly venomous!”


    “Madison, I curse you. May you never find happiness, scorned and spat upon by everyone… You-”


    The call was abruptly cut off by Madison, who preserved the recording.


    She ended the call because she anticipated Lucas’s next move would be to curse her future


    offspring. How he berated her meant nothing-she had long stopped caring. But she wouldn’t tolerate


    any curses directed at her children.


    Preferring to avoid unnecessary drama, Madison had always sought to keep things low-key, but


    Lucas was pushing things too far. She suspected Ethan had dealt with him, triggering such a


    vtile


    Without a moment’s hesitation, she crafted the recording into a video and posted it to her F******k


    page, which, thanks to the influence of Mukino International and Ethan, boasted over a million.


    followers. Some fans even daily checked in on herst rtionship announcement, umting


    over a hundred thousandments.


    Madison’s apanying text was sinct:


    [Human nature thoroughly dissected and disyed in full scope.]


    [Audio recording at 00:42 seconds.]


    Post.


    No sooner had the post gone live than the doors to the vi swung


    open.


    Madison dropped her phone and turned around.


    “Did you get hurt?”


    Ethan instinctively shook his head, then paused, “You knew?”


    Madison gave him a thorough once-over, confirming he bore no visible injuries before answering, “I


    guessed as much.”


    “You got a call from Lucas?”


    “Ah.” She pondered a moment, “Yes, one.”


    “What did he say?”


    Madison returned to the sofa and yed back the recording.


    Ethan’s brows knitted tighter with each vile word Lucas spat out, regretting he hadn’t been harder


    on the scoundrel.


    “Let me handle this. It’s between him and me now.”


    stayed silent then realized, “You didn’t go see him just to


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    Ethan didn’t answer, stepping out to the balcony to light a cigarette


    and call Michael.


    “What’s the n, boss?” Michael’s voice came through,zy as ever.


    Through a haze of smoke, Ethan’s eyes smoldered with fury,”


    Calcte the market price for Envoy Air, then find someone reliable to purchase it on my behalf.”


    Michael knew him too well to miss the undertone of his request.


    “I don’t work for free, you know.”


    “Handle it well, and you name your price.”


    “Deal!”


    After wrapping up with Michael, Ethan’s screen shed with a call from Mason.


    His father calling? Ethan hesitated before answering with a distant tone, “What’s up?”


    “Can’t I call without a reason?” Mason assumed the paternal high ground.


    Ethan nearly hung up, but a memory of his mother’s dying letter held him back, “Speak, then.”


    “Dinner at home tomorrow night.”


    Mason hung up as if the matter were settled, leaving Ethan staring at his phone, recalling the


    housekeeper’s recent news: Mason was ill.


    “What’s wrong?” Madison approached the balcony without stepping


    out.


    amorrow


    “You should go,” she nodded.


    “You don’t understand him,” he replied, pulling her into the living room, “His invitations are never


    good news.”


    Madison was skeptical. How bad could a father-son dinner be?


    The following evening, as Ethan returned to the Grant family estate, his emotions stirred, but he


    kept his facade intact. It wasn’t just the presence of the Xin mother and son duo or Mason’s old


    business cronies that triggered him, but also Shihua’s attendance.


    Shihua had rushed from her flight report directly to Mason’s side, ensuring she was there to greet


    Ethan on arrival, prompting one of Mason’s old friends toment, “The youngsters seem well-


    matched. Old Jiang has a good eye.”


    Before Ethan’s arrival, Shihua had subtly boasted about her career and past achievements,


    garnering praise from the elderly businessmen present.


    As Ethan greeted them, the old men were hesitant to return his greetings, wary of his influence as


    the head of Mukino International.


    “Don’t be so formal; we’re all friends here,” one of Mason’s friends. remarked.


    Julius scoffed under his breath, quickly silenced by Charlotte’s. disapproving nce.


    Unbeknownst to them, Ethan was the only one the old men were interested in; Julius barely


    registered in their consideration.


    Shihua clung to Ethan like an attentive future daughter-inw, positioning herself beside him as if


    they were a couple meeting the parents.


    “With such a capable assistant by President Grant’s side, married


    she is bound to be prosperous, someone ttered


    Ethan’s gaze lifted, his indifferent countenance gradually revealing a chilling intent


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