Chapter 0247
The helicopter touched down safely on the private training grounds of Mukino International.
"President Grant!"
The head of the training base rushed toward the combat aircraft that had been making headlines over the past month.
The staff followed in his wake, all eager to extend their hard-earned gratitude to Ethan.
They bowed respectfully to Madison as well.
Ethan waved them off, instructing the maintenance crew, "Put in some extra effort and thoroughly check the wear and tear on this jet. Use only the best parts for any repairs and maintenance." "Understood, please rest assured, President Grant."
Afterward, Ethan, with Madison in tow, headed out where William had the car ready and Jia, the butler, had prepared a lavish meal back at the house.
Once in the car, Madison collapsed onto Ethan's lap, eyes closed, no longer wishing to move a muscle.
As the tension that wound her so tight for so long finally released, fatigue crashed over her like a relentless wave.
By the time they arrived at the Mu Lake Splendor Villas, Madison had fallen asleep.
Knowing full well how exhausted she was, Ethan couldn't bear to wake her, and he carried the sleeping Madison into the house with weary arms.
Madison wasn't deeply asleep; as soon as Ethan laid her on the bed, she awoke.
"Huh?" Her eyes fluttered open in confusion.
Ethan chuckled, gently ruffling her hair, "How did you wake up so fast?"
"I'm hungry..." Madison sighed, slowly sitting up.
"The chef has prepared dinner, do you want to eat before you sleep?"
"Okay."
Downstairs in the dining room.
Jia personally laid out the food on the table, standing by attentively awaiting their arrival.
"Mr. Grant, Miss Clark," Jia said, pulling out chairs for the two.
Ethan, fatigued as he was, had little appetite but still made sure to serve Madison.
"I can't eat that much." Madison frowned.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.
With everyone so worn out, it was natural that their appetites were diminished.
"The chef has specially made a soup to replenish your energy, please try some," Jia offered as he ladled soup for them.
He seemed a tad too attentive.
Ethan looked up, puzzled, "What's on your mind?"
Jia paused for a few seconds before stepping forward, bowing deeply with great solemnity.
Madison and Ethan exchanged glances, both a bit perplexed.
He was, after all, the butler; such formality seemed excessive.
But when Jia straightened up, he shared, "My home is in Nanlin. What Mr. Grant and Miss Clark have done for the quake, it has moved me..."
Jia was alone in the world, making his attachment to his hometown that much more profound.
Being unable to assist his community with even the smallest issues due to his work weighed on him heavily.
Witnessing the generosity of his employers, Jia felt a sincere urge to express his gratitude.
Ethan caught on to Jia's sentiment and after a brief silence, he said, "Take a week off. Go wherever you wish. Visiting Nanlin is fine."
Jia was taken aback, his eyes reddening slightly, a rare sight for such a robust man.
His parents had passed away, and with the recent earthquake, he was eager to visit their gravesite but couldn't find the opportunity. "Thank you, Mr. Grant!" Jia bowed again with deep appreciation.
"Go ahead," Ethan said, continuing his meal.
"William, arrange a car for him."
"Will do."
Gratitude filled Jia's gaze as he departed.
Once Jia had left, Madison nudged Ethan's shoulder with a grin, "Quite the kind heart you have."
Ethan was somewhat at a loss under her gaze, the corners of his mouth caught between a bitter smile and resignation. "I've always been kind."
Suddenly, Ethan reminisced about
the past: Like when we first meto you slapped that pork rind on my face, and I didn't get angry. You asked me to play dead for your act, and I didn't get mad."
Madison's chewing stalled.
Bringing it up now felt like...
An eternity had passed.
How long ago was that?
It hadn't been that long, barely over half a year, yet so much had happened between them, it felt like they had been together for years.
She suddenly took Ethan's hand, whispering, "Ethan, the New Year is drawing close."
Ethan took a sip of water, "Yes, the New Year is almost here."
Some matters indeed needed immediate attention.
Mukino International's outstanding efforts during the earthquake had been seen by the people and acknowledged by the officials for all to witness.
As a result, Ethan was particularly busy at the year's end, attending official award ceremonies and working to restore Mukino Airlines to its regular operations. The money spent needed to be earned back with vigor.
Two important matters weighed on Ethan's mind.
"President Grant, it's ready," William entered, placing the documents on the desk.
Ethan, who had been restlessly busy of late, looked worn but mustered the energy to scrutinize the contract from beginning to end.
"When will it be delivered?"
"The day before New Year's Eve," William replied.
Ethan nodded, then inquired, "And the other matter?"
William smiled, "That's ready too."
"Hmm."
Madison had been busy training at the base, as the selection race was far from over.
Even after her set training was done,
she continued flying both
domestically and internationally, never once neglecting her duties. Her professional skills were sharper
than ever.
More and more people began to refer to her as Captain Madison.
"Madison, I'm not going to the office tomorrow, you want to take the day off too?" Ethan asked over the phone.
"But I have a flight scheduled for tomorrow," Madison replied.
Ethan clicked his tongue, "A boyfriend can find someone to cover for you."
With a sigh of resignation, Madison agreed, "You're the boss; it's your call, okay?"
"Come home early after work?"
Madison's smile was sweet, "Sure."
By nine in the evening, after completing her annual report, Madison left the company, her body carrying the weight of fatigue.
The junior manager tasked with the report wiped the sweat from his brow as she departed.
He had tried to convince Captain Madison that the annual summary wasn't necessary, but she was too conscientious, too diligent. Surely, he couldn't be blamed for that!
He only hoped that Manager Xiao and President Grant wouldn't reprimand him!
Madison, off work, drove leisurely toward Mu Lake Splendor Villas.
She and Ethan had been busy with their separate schedules and hadn't seen each other for days. Initially, she intended to spend the night at their new house, but Ethan's
invitation changed her plans.
Yet, as she drove, repeated calls to Ethan went unanswered, and even upon reaching the entrance of the villa complex, the house remained dark.
No one home?
Impossible.
Madison punched in the security code and pushed open the door.
Expecting an empty house, she was startled when, the moment the door closed, all the lights on the first floor blazed on.
Madison spun around, her eyes wide with shock, to see a gathering of familiar faces standing in the living room.