Chapter 24: Usurping the Nest

For a moment, Madison was at a loss for words.

She managed a strained smile and finally said, "Well, could you relay a message to Grayson for me? Tell him to inform Ms. Nora that if she's well, I'd appreciate a concrete timeline soon. I need to plan the next shoot."

With that, she turned on her heel and left without another word.

In the CEO's Office, Nora looked around Grayson's office with disdain in her eyes. "You really went for an ice-cold vibe with your office decor, huh? All the blacks, whites, and grays—it's downright dreary," she commented.

Grayson was poring over a contract but managed a wry smile at her remark. "I don't see why it should bother you. It's not like you work here. What's it to you if it's not easy on the eyes?"

Nora bristled instantly. "How can it not concern me? It's your office, after all!"

Lifting his gaze to meet hers, Grayson chuckled softly. "Still as bossy as ever, aren't you?"

She leaned in close with a playful grin. "And what? You're not into that?"

Grayson deflected her flirtation and gestured toward a script lying nearby. "I checked out the script you mentioned and had the pros look it over, too. Frankly, it's not right for you. I'd advise against wasting more time on it.

"Better to push up those endorsement engagements instead. Since you've taken on that gig, you should put some effort into it. But hey, if you're really not into it, we can always find someone else."

"Who said I'm bailing on it?!" Nora glared at him.

Grayson arched an eyebrow. "Oh, I thought you were backing out, playing sick and all. What's the deal with making a scene here at the office? Some protest?"

His pointed words hit a nerve, and she retorted with irritation, "I am genuinely under the weather!"

He regarded her silently, choosing not to press further.

Nora slid the script across the desk toward him. "Aren't you going to back me up on it?"

Grayson was unyielding. "I'm a businessman. Whether I invest depends on value. My money doesn't fall from the sky, you know."

"Then, why splash out all that cash on Madison?" Tears welled in Nora's eyes.

Grayson raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "Exactly what money did I spend on her?"

"That necklace she wears; you're telling me it wasn't a gift from you? That thing is worth over ten million! How can you say you haven't spent money on her?!"

Grayson's expression cooled. "Whatever I spend on her, I do because she's...attentive to my needs. Can you compare to that?"

Nora fell silent instantly, recognizing the insinuation. From the start, Grayson had only seen Madison as a means to satisfy his desires. Even the gifts were mere tokens of gratification for pleasing him. There were not truly gifts at all but rewards.

Yet, this revelation made Nora feel triumphantly vindicated. No skills were needed to cater to a man's need in bed. She wanted Grayson's heart.

Unlike Madison, Nora had always kept herself unblemished in his view. She didn't need to stoop to that level of comparison.

Still, seizing the moment, she knew she had to act the coquette. With her eyes glistening, Nora looked up at Grayson, all doe-eyed and pitiful. "I can't help my jealousy. Promise me you won't be so kind to her anymore."

Grayson chuckled. "Do you really have to ask who I treat better, you or her?"

"Then, break up with her." Nora pouted.

Grayson's face turned stern in an instant. "Nora, this is my business."

Nora knew when to back off. Seeing that Grayson was upset, she dropped the subject. "Fine, I was just joking. She's just a woman. Do whatever you want with her!"

She acted like the entitled heiress she was, expecting Grayson to coax her.

To her surprise, Grayson just laughed. "Right, it's not like you have a say in this anyway."

Nora was so angry she gritted her teeth. "Let her come up. I need to talk to her about the ad shoot!"

Grayson withdrew his gaze. "You go find her yourself. Have a proper talk, and don't throw your heiress tantrums."

With a huff, Nora stormed out of the office.

...

Descending from the top floor, Madison walked straight outside. The company had a small garden at the ground level. It was specifically designed as a place for employees to unwind.

Madison found a seat by the edge of the pond in the garden and finally felt a bit of relief.

Grayson's desires had always been strong. Dealing with them was quite challenging for her. He had exhausted her completely every time. Yet, sometimes, he still seemed unsatisfied.

However, he was picky with his partners. Even with his dissatisfaction, he didn't seek others.

After all, Nora was his first love. There were feelings there. Logically, being with Nora would satisfy him more than being with her.

The office was off-limits to interruptions. Grayson only gave such an order during their private encounters.

Madison exhaled deeply, releasing the tension she had been holding in. Deep down, she knew there was nothing to brood over. They were each other's first love; a reconciliation was inevitable. So was intimacy.

Still, it was uncomfortable to be confronted with the reality.

Leaning back on the bench, Madison tried to look up at the sun but someone blocked her light.

"What brings you here, sitting all alone?" Nicholas approached with a cryptic smile on his face.

Madison looked away. "Just sneaking a little break. You've got some nerve, Nicholas, loafing around our company's garden during work hours."

Without hesitation, Nicholas sat down beside her.

---

"I certainly didn't come to stroll in your company's garden for no good reason. I was here to see Grayson, but I heard the guy's got a date and isn't even letting people into his office, so I ended up outside. Little did I expect to run into you here."

Madison caught the insinuation in his words and glanced at him with a cool smirk playing at the edges of her lips. "What are you getting at, Nicholas?"

Nicholas grinned at her. "Do you not follow?"

Madison shifted her gaze to the horizon. "You have a real knack for minding other people's business, it seems."

Nicholas leaned back on the bench, looking relaxed, but his words dripped with sarcasm. "Since Grayson's old flame is back, I thought someone with your spirit would've just walked away. Yet here you are, still hanging around. What's the plan, Madison? Trying to play the other woman?"

Madison kept her smile, unfazed. "So what if she's his first love? They still broke up, didn't they? If she were truly right for Grayson, there wouldn't be room for someone like me in his life now, would there? Nicholas, everyone has a past love, wouldn't you agree?"

Her response made Nicholas frown slightly. He had thought Madison would be all teary-eyed and pitiful at this moment, but instead, she was as sharp-tongued as ever. The more she was like this, the more he was intrigued.

"Madison, do you have any idea what people in our circle say about you?"

Madison stiffened for a moment. There was no need to guess that it wasn't anything flattering. She didn't want to listen or ask.

Mysteriously, she said, "I'd rather not know, and don't trouble yourself to tell me. If I cared about that gossip, I wouldn't still be with Grayson."

Nicholas laughed with a sinister edge. "Whore."