Chapter 0045
Elsewhere, Lucas paced restlessly through his house after being hung up on. He suspected that the chairman of Mukino International would personally seek him out. If the chairman had indeed taken a fancy to Madison, perhaps Lucas could leverage this to extract some benefits from Mukino International through her. He hadn’t expected Madison to be so capable, to have ensnared such a catch.
Reflecting on her alluring figure, Lucas regretted not having pursued her earlier, instead of foolishly clinging to Sophia. He mulled over how he might negotiate with the chairman.
Unbeknownst to him, Ethan had no intention of meeting him. If it weren’t for the slight connection to Madison, why would someone of Ethan’s stature bother with a minor aviation company?
The doorbell rang.
Lucas rushed to answer it, putting on a grave expression before opening the door. To his surprise, it wasn’t the person he had anticipated.
Michael stood there, the epitome of a lawyer in his professional suit, greeting Lucas with an exceptionally friendly smile.
“Mr. Zhuo?”
“That’s me,” Lucas replied, poised for confrontation. “You are…?”
“I’ve been entrusted by President Grant to meet with you.”
What? Ethan didn’t come himself?
Michael stepped back. “Mr. Zhuo, may I speak with you privately?”
Not daring to offend Mukino International, Lucas agreed, “Of course.”
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He followed Michael a hundred meters from his home when suddenly Michael stopped.
Gone was Michael’s friendly smile. His expression deadpan, he asked, “You’re with Sophia, right?”
Lucas was taken aback.
Before he could answer, William and his men shoved Lucas car, covering his mouth.
Within minutes, the car sped away.
into a
William stood on the side of the road, seemingly on the lookout but not quite, puffing on a cigarette with a sly smile.
“Mr. Bai, our lawyer can’t beat the guy to death, right?” The driver fretted.
William waved dismissively, “He’s a lawyer, he knows restraint. Even if Lucas tries to sue later, he won’t win anything.”
Michael had been harboring resentment over this matter. Now, a legitimate reason to confront his sister-in-law’s lover, he woul
hold back.
Grant had only sent Michael a message: [Find Lucas at this location. Just make sure he doesn’t die.]
So, Michael knew his limits.
Lucas, bewildered by the beating, was powerless to resist. Why was this seemingly gentle man so heavy-handed?
After venting, Michael straightened his tie, pointed to Lucas’s bruised face, and laid out two conditions: “First, you’d best grow old with that harlot Sophia. Second, if I hear you’ve gone near Miss Clark again, your infidelity will be tomorrow’s news, and you’ll be left with nothing.”
“Got it?”
In legal matters, Lucas was no match for a lawyer.
A smart man knows better than to fight a losing battle.
Despite his resentment, Lucas could only nod in agreement.
“There’s more…”
Michael stepped out of the car, turned, and warned, “Don’t try
anything against President Grant. If you do anything to harm him or Miss Clark, I’ll make sure you die an uglier death.”
A threat. A blatant threat.
Lucas, blood still dripping from his nose, wiped it away and nodded through gritted teeth.
Satisfied, Michael ordered, “Alright then. Take Mr. Zhuo home.”
The driver promptly returned Lucas to his residence.
On WeChat:
Michael: [President Grant, the task is complete.]
Ethan: [I want to hear the results.]
Michael: [I hit him with all I had. His mother wouldn’t recognize him!]
Ethan: [You didn’t have that much strength as a baby.]
Michael: [???]
The two had grown up together, as close as brothers could be.
Watching Michael preen in the mirror, William asked, “What are you doing?”
“Just fixing my dashing hairstyle.”
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“I fail to see where you’re dashing.”
Michael rolled his eyes at him.
“You were against President Grant’s decision before, weren’t you?” referring to Ethan’s interest in Madison.
Michael paused, then sighed, “He’s been my lifelong friend. He even scrimped to help me through college. If he’s set on doing this, and I can’t dissuade him, I can only walk with him.”
Michael wouldn’t stand for anyone attacking Ethan.
That’s why he initially tested Madison with a contract.
But clearly, Madison rendered his usual tactics unnecessary.
At Ethan’s place:
Upon return, Madison found her room pristine, and now, filled with several stuffed toys.
“Are these misplaced?”
Ethan, loosening his tie and exuding post-work relaxation, glanced
her bedroom.
“No,” he said. “They are for you.”
Madison froze.
Ethan glanced at her. “Don’t you like the Big Mouth Monkey?”
Madison blinked. “How did you know?”
He remained silent for a moment before responding, “Your keychain and the charm on your bag, they’re Big Mouth Monkeys.”
He had noticed from the start, especially after accidentally entering
her home, where even the living room had Big Mouth Monkey dolls. Surely Lucas wasn’t the fan, was he?
Just then, Michael returned. Ethan ceased speaking and joined Michael downstairs.
Madison dozed off in her room, only to be woken up by Jessica’s
video call.
Thirsty, she took her phone downstairs for water.
“Madison, congratulations on becoming a captain!”
After hanging up with Jessica, who would be back next week, Madison spotted a figure lying on the sofa.
She whispered to Ethan, poking his arm, “Are you asleep?”
He seemed unresponsive, as if in deep slumber.
She reached for a blanket to cover him, but before it could touch him, Ethan’s eyes snapped open.
Caught off guard, Madison’s gesture froze in mid-air.
Meeting Ethan’s reddened, deep gaze, she felt uncomfortably intrigued and retracted her hand.
Then, from the air hung Ethan’s inebriated, enticing voice- “Can you hurry up with the divorce, please?”
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