A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss (by Gregory Ellington) novel Chapter 469

Madison

I settled beside him on the couch, letting the cartoon dogs wash over me. The plot was ridiculous, ghosts turning out to be butlers in disguises, but Ethan was completely absorbed. His small body curled against my side, warm and content.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Hazel's name lit up the screen.

I glanced at Ethan, who didn't even notice, then stood. "I'll be right back, baby. Just need to take this call."

"Okay, Mom."

I slid open the balcony door, stepping into the crisp Manhattan air. The city stretched below, alive with movement and noise even from this height.

I accepted the call. "Hey."

"Hey yourself." Hazel's voice came through bright and curious. "Did you read that article I sent you?"

"Yeah, I read it."

"And? What do you think? Pretty wild that he actually ended it with Katherine. Like, officially officially. The whole internet is losing their minds trying to figure out what happened."

I leaned against the railing, the metal cool beneath my palms. "It's definitely causing a stir."

"A stir? Madison, that's the understatement of the century. Everyone's speculating about another woman. Some people think it's business-related. Others are convinced Katherine did something shady." She paused. "But you and I both know the real reason, don't we?"

I felt the weight of Hazel's words settle between us.

"Yeah," I said finally. "We both know."

"So?" Her voice pitched higher with excitement. "Are you going to tell me what happened, or do I have to drag it out of you?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything! What are you guys doing right now? How was last night? Did you enjoy yourself?" She paused, her tone shifting to something more suggestive. "And by enjoy yourself, I mean did you two finally fuck again?"

Heat flooded my cheeks. "Hazel."

"What? I'm just asking. You've been dancing around Alexander for weeks now. Well, technically years if we're counting the original five-year gap, but who's keeping track?" She laughed. "So? Did you?"

I glanced back through the glass door. Ethan was still absorbed in his cartoon. "Ethan's having a great time here. He loves the penthouse. Alexander took him to Central Park this morning and bought him a pretzel."

"Madison Harper, don't you dare deflect. I asked about you, not your son."

"I know what you asked."

"Then answer the question." Her voice softened slightly. "Come on. I'm your best friend. You can tell me."

I bit my lip, looking out over the Manhattan skyline. "I enjoyed it. A lot."

Hazel burst out laughing. "A lot? That's all you're giving me? Girl, I need details!"

"Yeah, a lot." My face was burning now. "What are you doing right now?"

"Oh no you don't." Hazel's laugh came through loud and clear. "You're not diverting this conversation, Madison Harper. I see right through you."

"I'm not diverting anything."

"You absolutely are. I ask about your sex life, and suddenly you want to know what I'm up to?" She made a dismissive sound. "But fine, I'll play along. I'm working from home. Some ridiculous presentation due tomorrow that my boss sprung on me last minute. But we're not talking about my boring work life. We're talking about you and Alexander."

I bit my lip, glancing back through the glass door again. Ethan was still absorbed in his cartoon.

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