Chapter 545

When Madelyn approached, Ethan hung up his phone. The weather outside was warm, and many students had already finished their exams and were being picked up by their parents. Madelyn clutched her pencil case against her forehead and quickly opened the front passenger door, hopping into the car.

Inside the car, it was pleasantly cool. Ethan handed her a bottle of cold water. “Just finished your exam.

How do you feel?”

Madelyn took a sip, and the heat that clung to her body quickly faded away. Not too bad, not as hard as I imagined.”

Ethan picked her up and drove to the pre-booked photography studio.

Madelyn rarely had her picture taken throughout her life, and this was one of the very few times. By the time the session was over, she was exhausted, and her makeup was still on as she cuddled with a pillow in the car, dozing off.

As Ethan drove, he noticed her body tilting toward him. He reached out to support her face. When they hit a red light, he pulled over to the side of the road, adjusted her seat, and let her lie down comfortably, peacefully asleep.

They arrived at the Arnold residence smoothly, and Madelyn hadn’t woken up the entire way. Ethan carried her in his arms from the passenger seat and walked into the foyer. A servant approached, “Mr.

Arnold…” When she saw who Ethan was carrying, she immediately fell silent.

“Save it for later,” Ethan said, carrying Madelyn upstairs. Inside the room, Ethan carefully placed her on the bed when his phone in his pocket began to ring. Seeing the caller ID, he swiftly declined the call and switched off his phone.

With exams approaching and so much happening these past few days, Madelyn hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages.

Ethan walked over to the dressing table, rummaging through a pile of bottles and jars for a while before finally locating a bottle of makeup remover and some cleansing water. He scrutinized the ingredient list before choosing the gentler makeup remover, then walked back to the bed, gently removing the makeup from her face, bit by bit.

Madelyn caught a whiff of citrus, her voice soft and drowsy as she opened her eyes, “What’s going on?”

Ethan whispered soothingly, “Sleeping with makeup isn’t great for your skin. I’m taking it off, and you’ll feel better soon.”

“Mmm.”

After removing her makeup, Ethan carefully cleaned her face with water and applied moisturizer.

Having finished, he planted a kiss on her lips and said, “Goodnight.” He left, content.

In the study, Ethan was on the phone. Leyton reported, “Ms. Jolie has refused to leave Venturia, and…

she’s currently missing. Do you want me to try and bring her back?”

Ethan’s gaze darkened. “No need. Let her be. I need everything to go perfectly on the engagement day.”

“Yes, Mr. Arnold! A few days ago, Azure Corporation rejected our stock acquisition offer, so as per your instructions, I’ve dealt with any companies still working with them. Many have already terminated their collaborations, and ongoing projects have come to a halt.

“If Azure Corporation can’t complete the development of the Alma property on schedule within six months, they’ll have to pay ten times the penalty.

“Zach Jardin applied for a substantial sum of money from SilverLinc Bank three days ago, likely to cover their financial shortfall.”

Ethan chuckled, “Then inform SilverLinc Bank that they must not approve his application without my consent.”

Leyton replied, “Yes, sir.”

‘Ten times the penalty? Even if the entire Jent family is put on the line, he won’t be able to make up that shortfall, Ethan thought to himself.