Chapter 269

"Why are your eyes red? Did Julian mess with you again?" Beckett's gaze darkened. He pushed the door open like he was ready to go punch someone. Madeleine quickly grabbed his arm to stop him. "No, no, I messed with him," she blurted out. Beckett didn't buy it for a second. "Our coworkers said my salary's too high and asked me to treat them. So I pushed our boss out there—said he should pay. You know, if he refused, wouldn't that make him look stingy?" Madeleine mumbled, looking a little guilty. "And when he tried to talk to me, I pretended I couldn't hear him. He snapped, and I started crying and said I had hearing issues. He probably feels super bad now." Beckett looked down at her, then gently pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back. The doctor had said her hearing loss was permanent. That made him want to destroy Clinton with his bare hands. Damn him. "Actually… Julian's not a bad guy, deep down. He's got a soft side, just... sees me through tinted glasses," Madeleine added, still t