Madison and Daisy were lost in their own conversation, their voices a low hum in the background. Allen turned his attention to Ethan, studying him for a moment.
"So," Allen said slowly, "you're looking for work."
Ethan nodded.
"The former chairman—did he offer you a position?"
Ethan nodded again.
"What kind of job are we talking about?" Allen pressed.
Ethan met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "A relative of Madison's will heading overseas for a business trip. I've been hired to ensure her safety."
Allen gave a single, firm nod of approval. "You're well-suited for that kind of work."
Turning to Madison, Allen checked his watch. "Madison, we should head out. It's getting late."
Madison blinked, snapping out of her chat with Daisy. She checked her phone and her eyes widened. "Oh! You're right. I'm sorry, Daisy, I have to take my leave."
Daisy's face fell, a shadow of sadness crossing her features. "Okay," she whispered.
Ethan and Daisy walked them to the door. Below, the car was idling. Allen and Madison climbed inside, and with a low growl of the engine, the vehicle disappeared into the night.
Daisy let out a long, heavy yawn, her shoulders sagging. "Are you alright, Daisy?" Ethan asked, his voice soft.
"Yes, just tired," she said with a small, weary smile. Ethan returned the smile and waited for her to turn toward her room. The moment the door clicked shut, his expression went cold. The warmth vanished from his eyes, replaced by a sharp, jagged edge.
I'll make you pay for targeting Daisy, Enzo, he thought. Then, he turned and headed toward his own room.
Inside the car, Madison broke the silence. "Allen, I heard you and Ethan mentioning a job."
"Yeah, the job for Ethan," Allen replied. "Your grandfather offered him a position."
"Doing what?"
"Someone in your family has an upcoming meeting overseas," Allen explained. "His job is to act as her shadow—to make sure she stays safe."
Madison leaned back against the leather seat, thoughtful. So, Ethan is going as a bodyguard? she wondered. But can he actually handle it? I've never even seen him fight. But I get a feeling he is no joke.
Soon, the car pulled up to a sprawling villa. Following the attack on their apartment building, the family had relocated to this remote, heavily fortified estate. It was a longer commute, but the security was impenetrable. The villa had long been a favorite retreat for Madison's grandfather.
Once inside, Madison headed straight for her grandfather's study. She knocked softly. "Grandpa? It's me."
"Come in, dear," a gravelly voice called out.
Madison entered to find him hunched over his desk. He gestured toward the sofa without looking up, finished typing a final line, and then turned to her with a tired smile. "Yes, my dear?"
"Grandpa, I wanted to ask about Ethan. Did he really ask you for work?"
He nodded. "I've assigned him to Yuri. She's representing us at a summit overseas; there will be delegates from all over the world there. It's a high-stakes environment."
Ms. Yuri? Madison thought, nodding slowly. So she's the one representing the family.
They talked for a while longer about trivial things before Madison excused herself. As she descended the grand staircase, the heavy front door swung open. A woman stepped into the foyer, radiating an air of cold professionalism. She wore a sharp business suit that complemented her striking blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Hi, Madison," she said.
"Hi, Ms. Yuri. How was your day?"
"Productive," Yuri replied, sinking into a sofa in the lounge. She gestured for Madison to join her. "And how was yours, dear?"
"It was good," Madison said simply.
Yuri leaned back, a playful glint in her eyes. "Tell me, do you have a boyfriend yet?"
Madison's posture stiffened instantly. "No!" she blurted out.
"Oh, how tragic," Yuri teased. "A girl as beautiful as you? There must be a line of boys stretching out the door."
Madison looked down at her lap, remaining silent. Yuri's smile softened, though her eyes remained sharp. "Or is it the other way around? You have your eye on someone?"
Madison narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"You're in love," Yuri countered.
Madison shook her head vigorously. "No. I don't want to get caught up in something like that."
"Why not? You're at the perfect age for it. You should be enjoying your youth."
Madison eyes dimmed she said, "I've seen what happens," her voice dropping an octave. "I've seen people go mad after a relationship ends. I don't want that. I believe in one true love—in loyalty and genuine care. Anything less isn't worth the trouble."
Yuri clapped her hands together, impressed. "A lovely speech. You're quite mature for your age, Madison."
"I think everyone should feel that way," Madison replied.
Yuri shook her head. "When I was your age, I just wanted to live with no regrets. But life had other plans. After my father passed, I had to take control of his side of the business. I didn't have time for 'youth'."
Madison nodded sympathetically. "It must have been hard, managing all of this."
"It was a shark tank," Yuri said with a grim smile. "Being a woman in this industry means the partners are always waiting for a single mistake so they can devour you. You learn to grow up fast when people are trying to eat you alive."
Madison felt a pang of sadness for the older woman.
"You see, Madison," Yuri continued, "some people become adults at a very young age. And some people stay children well into their fifties."
"Just like my mother," Madison murmured under her breath.
Yuri blinked. "Did you say something?"
Madison quickly shook her head. "Nothing. Just exhaling."
"Well, I should head to bed, and you should too. You have school tomorrow."
Madison said her goodnights and retreated to her room. She shut the door, leaving the hallway's warmth behind. The room was dark, save for a silver shard of moonlight cutting across her study desk.
The light fell directly on a framed photograph. It was a picture of Madison and her mother, taken when Madison was only five years old. Madison stared at the image—at the wide, innocent eyes of her younger self and the radiant, carefree smile on her mother's face.
Madison let out a short, bitter laugh. She smiled at the little girl in the photo—a girl who had been foolish enough to have expectations.