Madelyn thought to herself, 'He's not so scary. He looks really cute when he smiles.'

Ethan reassured her, "You don't need to be afraid anymore. Where are you headed? I can give you a ride."

Madelyn wiped away the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "No, thank you. My driver will be here soon."

A faint smile graced his lips. "No trouble at all. I'll wait with you. Are you a student at Ventrocloud High School?"

Madelyn nodded. "Yes."

"Ms. Je— I mean Miss, here's your purse." His butler took the purse from the thug's pocket and handed it over to Madelyn with both hands.

Just moments ago, fear had gripped Madelyn so intensely that she had lost track of where the bodyguards had taken those three thugs.

Ethan spoke, his voice filled with concern, "Please check your purse to ensure nothing is missing."

Madelyn opened her purse and quickly glanced inside. Her ID card and student card remained safely in place. "Everything is here, nothing is missing." She then inquired, "Whe