Chapter 0005

The next day, at ten o'clock in the morning.

Madison is dressed simply in a white tee, capri jeans, white flats, a high ponytail, and a touch of lipstick to enhance her complexion while carrying a plain backpack.

Following the location Jessica gave her, she arrives at a floor in Mokino International. Only when she gets there does she notice several others who seem to also be there for an interview.

All of them are pilots, but female pilots are quite rare, whether domestically or internationally.

As Madison takes a seat, a few men in the chairs across from her steal glances, struck by her but not thinking much of it...

They don't suspect her of being there to interview for the pilot position, could she be a flight attendant?

Her height, figure, and facial features make her a plausible fit for an international flight attendant.

Pilots keep entering for their interviews, each looking quite tense.

“Good morning, Captain Vee.”

At this, a woman in a white blouse and business attire with short hair appears. Her chest bears the exclusive logo of Mokino International, and the stripes on her epaulettes are particularly striking, symbolizing her status as a captain, her demeanor resolute and spirited.

Her appearance makes the office staff exceptionally polite.

Madison fixes her gaze on the ID badge that signifies a pilot, a trace of envy gleaming in her eyes.

She used to be just like that.

After the woman walks past, the others begin discussing in a flurry.

“Is she the only female captain at Mokino International?”

“Not just the only female captain, but also the only female pilot. Mokino International does not recruit female pilots. She’s the only one here.”

“No wonder she comes off so arrogant.”

“Wouldn't you be arrogant if you were in her position?”

They don’t hire female pilots?

Madison frowns.

“Madison?” From the doorway of the interview room, William steps out to call for her.

Madison snaps back from her thoughts and rises, “Yes?”

The surrounding crowd simultaneously gasps, disbelief written on their faces.

A woman?!

For a pilot’s interview?!!!

What a joke.

Madison does feel a bit nervous, but once she steps into the interview room and sees the giant model airplane displayed in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, her anxiety dissipates instantly.

Her inner peace is akin to that of returning to familiar grounds, after all, this is her field of expertise.

The door closes, and Madison takes a seat in the interviewee’s chair.

The interviewer first glances at the man at the far left, then turns to her resume, “Graduated from First Flight Academy?”

“Yes.”

“When did you start learning to fly?”

Madison answers, “In high school.”

“First flight at 19?” the interviewer asks.

“Yes.”

Seeing this woman's resume, the interviewer is somewhat surprised, even doubting the authenticity of it, because for her age of 25, this resume seems too perfect.

The interviewer decides to let her recount it herself.

“Which major air routes have you flown?”

Madison is extremely composed. When it comes to what she’s familiar with, she exudes confidence.

So, the woman narrates her experience: “I have flown over sixty percent of domestic routes, as well as North American routes, the eighteen international standard routes, and the zero-kilometer sea routes.”

The more the interviewers hear, the quieter they become.

At this moment, a male voice chimes in: “Your resume states a two-year gap, were you grounded?”

Madison shakes her head. Because the interviewer is blocking her view, she can't see his face, but the voice sounds familiar.

"I..." she pauses: "I got married."

The man slowly rises from his seat.

Madison, with excellent vision, identifies him immediately, astonishment flashing in her eyes.

Is it really him???

Ethan, in his impeccably ironed black suit, gazes at her from a distance: “Our company does not recruit female pilots.”

Madison is taken aback, pretending not to recognize him, and gets up to bow, “I’m sorry."

Just as she is about to leave, she hears the man speak again: "However, considering your excellence, we can make an exception."

A surprised joy lights up Madison’s face, she asks somewhat excitedly, “Really?”

Ethan turns and heads for the room at the back, “Come here, the rest of you continue with the interview.”

The interviewers look at each other, but none of them say anything.

Madison follows the man into the back room.

Ethan sinks into a leather sofa, leaning to one side, “Sit.”

Once seated, Madison feels a bit unsettled, after all, this man has barged into her home before.

“Mokino Airlines not only does not hire female pilots but also does not hire those who are married.”

The married pilots of Mokino Airlines: What’s the boss talking about???

Madison takes a breath, not lying in front of him: “I’m in the process of getting a divorce.”

Ethan narrows his eyes, “Is that so?”

“Yes, once the cooling period is over, I will be able to get a divorce.” Madison's voice goes lower.

A hint of relaxation seems to pass over Ethan's brows, “Then start with a month of helicopter piloting as a trial. After a month, you’ll enter the airline company for training. If training goes well, we can sign a contract.”

“After all, since we've made an exception for you, it wouldn't be good to make another.”

The interviewers outside: you’re making stuff up!!!

Madison nods: “Understood, thank you.”

She could never have imagined that the man from that night would actually be in the management team of Mokino International.

“What kind of helicopter will I be flying? What’s my mission?”

“Mission?”

Ethan had completely forgotten about this, but it’s not a problem, he can think of something on the spot.

As Madison anxiously waits to hear her mission, the man leisurely says, “Drive me home.”

“Wha...what?”

Madison thought she was hearing things because of the stress Lucas had caused.

But Ethan doesn’t repeat himself, saying only, “First, go for a formal physical exam. If there are no problems, you can start work tonight.”

Tonight...

Start work...

…

In the medical examination room.

The doctor conducting the physical examination could never have imagined that the big boss would actually visit their place!

Ethan glances at them, and they immediately catch his meaning, quietly sitting back down.

“Go ahead.” He tips his chin.

As Madison prepares to put down her backpack, Ethan takes it from her, carrying it casually.

She worries, “Is your hand okay?”

She remembers compressing his hand twice while avoiding the two dogs.

Ethan laughs carelessly: “So you do worry about me. Then why didn’t I see you call or text me?”

As he talks, he nudges her shoulder, “Go do your physical first.”

Pilots have stringent physical requirements, and not a single detail can be overlooked.

As each item is examined, Ethan looks on.

This makes the doctors begin to doubt this woman's identity.

Could she be the big boss's girlfriend???

Considering this woman's appearance, she seems to be quite fitting for the big boss.

The final examination arrives: blindfolded sound localization.

Madison puts on a pair of completely sealed goggles, and she'll have to rely on hearing to determine the direction from here on.

The doctor is about to make a sound, but receives a signal from the big boss.

Ethan lightens his steps, changes his position, and then shakes the bell in his hand, making a very slight noise.

Madison needs to determine his location and act accordingly as soon as possible.

To everyone's surprise, Madison's reaction speed is truly astonishing, she is able to determine the direction and act within half a second after the sound is made.

The floor is covered with objects, so Ethan's steps do not make any noticeable noise.

He adjusts his position and shakes the bell in his hand again.

Madison immediately turns around and walks forward without any hesitation.

Ethan leans against the glass wall, watching the woman walking towards him with a smile.

Madison needs to grab the object that's making the sound to pass the test.

She trusts her hearing completely, estimates the distance, takes several steps forward, and grabs directly.

But the object she grabs does not seem to match the sound she heard.

Madison hesitates for a moment before quickly letting go.

A teasing voice from nearby says, “Why let go? Do you think you heard wrong?”

Madison is sure she heard it from this side, there's no way she could have made a mistake.

But why would it be a hand?

Ethan shakes the bell again with a mischievous smile.

On the other side, the doctor starts the countdown.

Time is almost up.

Madison steels herself, steps forward again, and reaches out.

But this time, she catches nothing, the hand is gone.

But replacing the hand is Ethan's comforting embrace.

The doctors conducting the physical examination quickly avert their eyes.

Madison freezes, forgetting to react.

Ethan's hug is polite.

He pats her back, a calm voice sounding above her head: “I'm looking forward to seeing you become Mokino Airlines' second female captain in the future.”

“Keep it up.”

At that moment, Madison is certain she can feel her heart, on the verge of shattering, begin to tremble subtly.