Chapter 16: Let's Make Up

Nora suddenly choked up. "I wasn't trying to get rid of her. I just wanted her to move over," she said, her voice tinged with grievance. She looked at Grayson imploringly. "Grayson, you're not really upset with me over a simple market manager, are you?"

After saying this, Nora's eyes began to redden.

Over the years abroad, she had been waiting for Grayson to reach out to her. To her dismay, during the four years she was gone, he hadn't contacted her once. She had considered returning more than a few times to seek him out.

However, she had her pride. She was the one who had initiated their breakup.

Grayson had always been special to her.

He would smile at her with kindness and called her Lily. He would rushed to her side whenever she needed him. He even had a falling out with his brother over her.

However, his special treatment had its limits. He never touched her, never talked about marriage, and even refused to meet her parents.

She had wanted to push him, to instill a sense of urgency to marry her quickly. She knew the lengths to which she had gone to be with him. Without securing their marriage, she felt restless.

Yet, he had agreed to the breakup so easily.

In a fit of anger, she had left the country. Before leaving the country, she swore with conviction that she would never return unless Grayson begged for her to.

She thought it wouldn't be long before he gave in. To her dismay, that wait turned into four years.

Only in the past month, after hearing bits and pieces about him and Madison, did she finally become restless abroad.

She despised Madison.

Ever since she learned of Madison's existence, her dislike for her was unmatched.

Madison was more beautiful, had a better aura, and even outperformed her academically. Madison was superior in every aspect.

Nora loathed Madison with gritted teeth. If there was only room for one by Grayson's side, it had to be her.

Tearfully, she looked at Grayson.

Grayson leaned back lazily in his chair. Upon seeing the diamond bracelet on her wrist, his gaze softened. He had found that bracelet on the beach when he was nineteen.

It had been a dimly lit night, and he was preoccupied, barely noticing the girl who had clung to him in the sea. It wasn't until the next day that he found the bracelet on the beach. Engraved on the back were the words "Lily."

His gaze turned tender as he gently ruffled Nora's hair. "Even if it was just a regular employee sitting beside me today, you shouldn't have made her give up her seat. She's an employee of my company, not your maid or assistant. How can you be so unreasonable?"

Nora was indignant. "I just wanted to be with you! She took the spot by your side, so naturally, I wanted her to leave!"

However, the man in front of her only smiled. His face was exceptionally handsome, but his words revealed indifference. "Lily, you chose to leave back then. Now that you came back, don't blame me for moving on."

Now, Nora was filled with regret, regretting her decision to leave back then. If she hadn't left, there was no way Madison would be by his side.

She also didn't believe that Grayson truly had any special feelings for Madison. Grayson's heart was like a fortress—not easily penetrated by anyone. If she couldn't get in, it was even less likely for Madison.

"Grayson, let's make up," she proposed.

Grayson didn't reply but let out a light chuckle as if he heard a joke.

Nora pouted. "I was just kidding."

Grayson hummed noncommittally. "Don't make those kinds of jokes in the future. They're not funny."

Nora was suddenly at a loss for words.

...

The car sped all the way to the studio.

Madison stepped out of her car and glanced over at Grayson's ride. Nora, decked out in her finery, descended from the vehicle and immediately latched onto the man's arm.

Madison averted her gaze, heading toward the studio, only to be stopped at the entrance.

"Madison."

Nora was clinging to Grayson. Her expression hidden beneath her glamorous outfit oozed happiness that Madison could sense despite not seeing her face clearly.

"Sorry for shooing you off the ride just now," Nora said, her apology laced with the intention to remind everyone of the incident. The ebb and flow of people in the studio caught the remark, and all eyes soon converged on Madison.

Being one of the veterans at the company, Madison had backed Grayson from the start-up days and had enjoyed his unwavering favor. Despite the uproar over her near-resignation, she was still here.

No one in the company would dare cross her except for Nora. With those words, Nora seemed to confirm the office's whispers. She and Grayson shared more than a professional relationship. Madison appeared to be the first victim as Nora established her dominance, warning others through this calculated move.

After all, no boss's wife enjoys seeing another woman who's not only stunning but also fiercely competent beside her husband.

The crowd looked at Madison with mixed emotions, but she seemed oblivious to their stares. Her gaze shifted from their intertwined arms to Grayson's face, which remained nonchalant as if oblivious to the quiet battle for his attention unfolding before him.

A laugh escaped Madison. She wasn't sure why she even bothered with these petty contests.

"No need to apologize. I got out of the car because I was following orders. It had nothing to do with you," she stated matter-of-factly.

Nora's face turned gray at those words, her facade threatening to fall. However, mindful of Grayson's prior warning, she bit her tongue.

Madison flashed them a courteous smile and entered the studio, its door swallowing her strained grin.

Inside, a coworker swarmed her. "Madison, are Grayson and Nora talking about marriage already? I heard Nora came back here just for him."

With a light laugh, Madison deflected. "I'm not sure about that."

The female employee looked a bit disheartened. "You're one of the oldest members of Grayson's crew. Haven't you heard about him and Nora?"

Madison, visibly tired, struggled to maintain a smile. "I haven't heard a thing."

"But I heard that Grayson once—"

Abruptly, Madison stopped in her tracks and offered a polite smile to her colleague. "Sorry, I need to step out for a quick call."

After her colleague left, Madison called Amelia. It was just small talk, really, to distract herself.

Grayson and Nora had yet to show up. They probably went off to the makeup room together.

Madison could still make out the faint buzz of laughter in the distance, with whispers of Grayson and Nora's names. Just the sight of the two of them together sparked everyone's curiosity.

To avert her gaze, Madison picked up some documents and began reading. She didn't put them away until just before the shoot when she went to the restroom.

Coming out, she ran into Nora, who was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror. Madison snorted as she watched her. "Waiting for me?"

"Madison, I didn't realize you were so sharp. Then, you must know why I'm here waiting for you."

Madison washed her hands and tidied her slightly messy hair, her eyes meeting Nora's in the mirror. "You want me to leave Grayson, don't you?"

Nora met her gaze, bluntly stating, "Good that you know. Grayson is mine."

Madison scoffed. "An ex-girlfriend, right? Since it is all in the past, shouldn't there be a 'used to' somewhere in your claim?"