Chapter 288

Ethan sipped his creamy oatmeal, pushing up the sleeves of his shirt and revealing a hint of a blue tattoo on his forearm. The intricate veins patterned across his skin, moving and curving as he ate, adding a touch of mystery and charm. “George, you’re here. Got something to say?”

“Yeah, it’s about Mrs. Arnold Sr….” George glanced at Madelyn briefly, seeming a bit uncertain about continuing.

Ethan prompted, “It’s alright.”

George had been pretty busy lately, handling things at the main mansion of the Arnold estate since the head butler there was on sick leave.

“Mrs. Arnold Sr. caught a cold recently and wants to see you, and also… Miss Jent!”

Madelyn focused on her creamy oatmeal, keeping her head down. When she heard those words, her face froze in surprise. She thought to herself, “Why does Ethan’s grandmother want to see me? Is it just because she’s sick, or is there something else?”

Ethan tapped his finger on the table, looking thoughtful. Then he turned to her gently, “Would you like to go see my grandma?”

Madelyn put down her spoon and gripped her dress. After a moment, she lowered her head and stammered, “Um… I’m sorry…” She stood up, accidentally dropping the spoon, and quickly picked it up. “I’ll be late if I don’t go now. I should get moving.”

She slung her backpack over her shoulders.

Ethan stood up quickly too. “I can drive you there.”

“No need, the driver is waiting at the door. I’ll manage on my own. Thanks!”

“But Madelyn…!”

Before he could say more, Madelyn had already left. What was supposed to be a special time for them turned into a hurried and tense situation. He couldn’t help but feel that his impatience had made her uncomfortable.

A touch of frustration crept over him as he leaned his forehead on his hand, uncertain about the next steps to take.

He noticed that she maintained a certain distance, even after he had rescued her from the Jent Residence. At his own home, she retreated to her room, dedicating her time to studying, drawing, and reading. She mostly avoided interacting with others.

Ethan had simply wanted to take her out to change the atmosphere, to show her different places.

more.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan decided, “You go ahead. I’ll join you shortly.”

George suggested, “Should we consider having Miss Jent see a psychologist? If she keeps isolating herself like this, it might not be healthy for her.”

Ethan’s emotions suddenly surged. The bowl he was holding slipped from his hand, crashing to the ground and breaking. “You think she’s not hiding well enough from me? Just leave!”

George barely flinched and nodded, “Yes, sir!”

After George left, a timid servant approached to clean up the mess.

Ethan’s sudden outbursts were not uncommon; in the past, they had been even more intense. He had even injured some servants before, and a few had narrowly escaped serious harm.

Upon his return, the household staff became more apprehensive, aware of Ethan’s temper. However, they observed that Ethan mostly restrained himself in Madelyn’s presence. Now that she was gone, they were even more careful, speaking less and moving with great caution. The whole place felt heavy, suffocated by tension, and everyone worked with extra care.

What Ethan wasn’t aware of was that Madelyn’s tendency to withdraw wasn’t just due to the dynamics of the Arnold family; it was an internal struggle she was facing.