Chapter 17: His Heart Is Biased

Nora's face twisted in anger instantly.

"Madison, do you really think that just because you hung around him for a few years, he's yours? He's been single in the eyes of the public all these years. What do you think that makes you? Don't you know your place?"

Madison felt as if Nora's words pierced her heart. She knew her place better than anyone. But in front of Nora, she refused to show any weakness. "He may not be mine, but he certainly isn't yours!"

Her words seemed to hit a sore spot, too, a vicious shadow crossing Nora's face.

"Don't get too smug, Madison. Sooner or later, Grayson will be mine. I've come back to discuss marriage with him. Stop pathetically clinging onto Grayson, trying to be the other woman. It was bad enough that your mother did that, but you too? The pair of you sicken me!"

In a sudden loss of control, Madison's hand flew across Nora's face with a slap.

"Madison!" Grayson's voice rang out from behind.

Madison's fingers twitched violently. She was tense, almost too afraid to turn around.

"What are you doing?" Grayson's voice was colder than she'd ever heard it.

She turned to face him. "I was hitting someone. Can't you see that, Grayson?"

"I'm asking you why you are hitting someone?!"

Madison glared at the man in front of her, whose expression was chilling. "Someone insulted my mother. Am I supposed just to let that slide?"

"Do you think she would insult your mother without any reason?"

Madison scoffed. "You should ask Ms. Nora why she thought it necessary to shame someone with remarks about their mother."

Grayson's gaze shifted to Nora. Nora was the picture of vulnerability, tears welling up in her eyes.

"No, I just came to apologize to Madison for making her get out of the car just now. I've been feeling guilty about it, and I wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't expect her to be ungrateful and hit me."

Madison had always known exactly what Nora was like but was still unnerved by her act. Grayson looked at her intently. Madison met his gaze squarely. "Do you not believe me, Grayson?"

The cold indifference on his face said everything, though he remained silent.

Nora then spoke up, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Let it go, Grayson. After all, she is your manager. If she doesn't want to admit it, that's fine. I can take the hit. It was my fault for making Madison get out of the car in the first place. I deserved it."

Madison couldn't help but laugh. She had to admit she was impressed by Nora. No wonder this woman had caught Grayson's eye. In just a few moments, she had transformed from the aggressor to a tragic victim, and she had magnanimously offered forgiveness, making Madison seem all the more unreasonable.

"You did deserve it, Ms. Nora" Madison said nonchalantly.

Grayson raised an eyebrow slightly. His gaze swept over Madison, and he made his judgment.

"Madison, apologize."

A sharp pain hit Madison's heart, and bitterness filled her mouth. "And if I don't?"

Grayson's eyes narrowed, his aloof stare carrying a hint of menace. He would not tolerate her defiance.

"Check the surveillance." Madison stood her ground, unwilling to compromise.

Grayson's expression remained undecipherable. He stood between the two women, apparently detached, yet he was the ultimate decider of their fate. Nora still played the part of an innocent woman.

"Grayson, let it go. Don't pressure Madison. With my status at the moment, you never know who'll try to drag my name through the mud online."

Madison let out a soft chuckle.

"Shouldn't a public figure like yourself be more concerned about getting to the bottom of things? Once everything's clear, who could tarnish your name, Ms. Nora?"

In the silent war between the two women, victory was never about the truth but about where this man laid his sympathies. From the looks of it, Madison was losing miserably.

She knew deep down that such persistence was pointless. If this man believed she was wrong, he would never admit the truth, even if it was right in front of him. But she still wanted to make him see the reality.

"There's nothing to investigate, Madison. I already said I don't mind. What more do you want?" Nora was getting impatient.

"How can we not look into it? It wouldn't be fair to you, would it?" Madison responded, eyeing her.

Grayson stood by, his inscrutable gaze growing heavy.

"Madison, we're about to start shooting. Are you sure you want to waste everyone's time like this?"

The scales were tipped, too, obviously.

Suddenly, Madison's fighting spirit evaporated. "I'm sorry." The two words seemed to drain all her strength. After speaking, she turned and left, feeling a chill in her heart.

It looked like a tug-of-war with Nora, but only she knew the truth—it was the pain of three years of companionship leading to such an outcome.

She wanted this man to see Nora for who she really was, but she had overlooked whether the man was willing to see. Perhaps, he knew exactly what Nora was like but didn't care.

Favored love was irrational like that; notions of right and wrong were inconsequential to those involved.

After Madison's departure, Grayson finally glanced at Nora. Nora still wore a look of distress. "Grayson, it really hurts."

He watched her for a long moment before finally saying, "Come on, I'll take you to the doctor."

*

Despite intentions not to delay, Nora's facial injury ended up halting the shoot. She left the studio with Grayson, looking every bit the victim.

Before departing, she had her assistant hand out envelopes filled with money to the studio crew.

"I'm so sorry for the trouble today, for taking up your time."

Naturally, no one in the studio complained. They gladly accepted the future lady boss's generosity.

When it came to Madison, the assistant scoffed. "I can't understand how Ms. Nora thinks, letting off someone who clearly struck her, urging me to apologize to you on her behalf. She's too kind-hearted, too soft—unlike some who throw their weight around just because they've been with the company for so long. It's just repulsive."

With that, the assistant flung an envelope in Madison's face and walked away.

Bending down, Madison picked up the envelope. When she looked up, she met the stares of everyone around her. Their expressions were a complex mix as they watched her.

Ignoring them, Madison grabbed her things and headed for the door.

Sophia followed, whispering, "Boss, you really should stop clashing with Nora. After all, she's going to be our future lady boss. How could you possibly win?"

Madison didn't respond, feeling a wave of sourness in her heart. She had no say in the matter.

It was unlikely that Nora leave her alone even if she didn't confront her. Nora could have been more generous. As long as Madison needed to stay around Grayson, Nora probably wouldn't let her be.

Madison headed straight back to the office. Just as she sat down, a call from the Executive came in.

"Madison, Grayson wants you home immediately."

Madison paused for a moment. "There's an issue with the new product plan. I need to revise it. I'll be working late tonight."

The Executive replied in a calm voice, "Grayson said not to make him come get you."