Chapter 27: Feeling wronged?

"I didn't." Madison met his gaze head-on, her eyes bloodshot. "I never intended to sleep with anyone else."

"Then, why did you even come here?!"

She took a deep breath, trying to look less cluttered. "Grayson, Ms. Nora has been completely uncooperative with my work, and the agent is unreachable. I had no choice but to ask Fabian for help."

Grayson's grip tightened on her chin. "Is it really just for work? Or is he your next sugar daddy?"

Despite the pain, Madison didn't show it. She laughed at Grayson. "I have a long list of potential benefactors, and I'd have to be blind to pick someone like him."

The fire in Grayson's eyes flared up instantly. He grabbed her wrist, almost crushing it, and dragged her out of the restaurant, shoving her into the car. Then, the car shot off like an arrow released from its bow.

Grayson said nothing more, and Madison stayed silent as well. She didn't even bother asking if Grayson had done anything to Fabian.

There wasn't much he could do. After all, Fabian was Nora's boss. There was no way Grayson would confront Fabian for her.

The car abruptly stopped downstairs. Grayson got out, pulling at his tie as he strode toward the building, leaving her with a single instruction. "Go home."

Trembling, Madison buttoned up her collar and stepped out of the car.

Back home, Grayson headed straight for the bathroom. Not long after, he reemerged and walked toward Madison. Instinctively, she took a couple of steps back.

However, Grayson left her no room to escape, grabbing Madison's collar as he drew close. The freshly done buttons popped open once again. Buttons scattered everywhere.

His hands were rough, completely devoid of tenderness as he stripped off all her clothes. Madison suddenly realized the extent of his wrath. Fearing for the safety of her child, she finally relented.

"I never planned on looking for a new benefactor. We have two years left on our contract. I won't consider anything until it's over."

However, Grayson's movements remained harsh. After tearing off her clothes, he scooped her up and tossed her into the bathtub.

"Wherever he touched you, wash it off clean! Don't come out until you're done!"

Madison almost choked on the water, clenching her teeth and glaring at Grayson. "Why can you cozy up to Nora, but I can't even share a meal with someone else?"

Grayson's shirt was drenched, but it didn't seem to affect his composure. He methodically rolled up his wet sleeves, his gaze on Madison devoid of any warmth.

"Why? Because I spend hundreds of thousands on you monthly. Clean yourself, or do you need me to do it for you?"

Madison glared at him defiantly. "He didn't touch me."

Grayson sneered. "He didn't touch you? Does a caress not count? Does it have to be a kiss or a night spent to matter? Madison, I didn't know you were so liberal!"

Tears fell despite her efforts.

Grayson watched the tears drop, his expression unchanging.

"Crying won't help. Don't think tears will make me go easy on you."

"Yes, Grayson, when have you ever been soft with me?" Madison turned her head away, refusing to look at him any longer.

"It's good that you understand," Grayson said with a lingering look before turning to leave the bathroom.

The moment the door clicked shut, Madison's tears began to fall uncontrollably. Silent tears cascaded down without a sound. She didn't want to cry. Crying was pointless. Tears were extra in front of a man who didn't love you.

But, she couldn't help herself.

Grayson stepped out onto the balcony of Lane Street and lit a cigarette. After taking a drag, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

"What's up?" Owen's voice came through from the other end.

"Send those photos of Fabian with the fledgling celebrities to his brother-in-law," Grayson instructed.

Owen paused for a split second. Fabian's rise to wealth was largely thanks to his wife's influential family.

His wife was from a family that had always skirted the gray areas since their rise to prominence. Now, the head of the Holland family was Fabian's brother-in-law.

Fabian's wife had been pampered since childhood, doted on by her brothers. The Hollands were not thrilled when she married Fabian, but with their daughter's heart set on it, they had no choice but to support him grudgingly.

In his early days, Fabian had been relatively well-behaved, but as his business grew, his true colors showed more and more. Still, no matter how much he played around, he never dared to stir too much trouble. He kept it quiet, usually with up-and-coming stars within his own company.

Stars who got involved with him usually got some payoff and wouldn't dare make a fuss. Everyone else just looked the other way.

However, if these photos reached Fabian's brother-in-law, it would really be enough to spell trouble for him.

Owen hesitated. "Has he crossed you, or...did he make a move on Nora?"

The more he thought about it, the more probable it seemed. After all, Nora was under Fabian's wing.

Apart from her, he didn't think anyone could provoke such a response from his brother

As for Madison...

He couldn't even pinpoint his brother's attitude toward her anymore. It seemed like he cared, yet he could be incredibly harsh with her. But to say he didn't care—at the same time, he was very attentive.

Grayson didn't offer any explanation, simply responding with, "Nothing. Just teach him a lesson."

With that, he ended the call.

Taking a deep drag from his cigarette, he glanced at the closed bathroom door behind him.

A moment later, he picked up his phone and dialed another number. "Have some food sent up, something easy to digest."

After giving his instructions, he snuffed out his cigarette and headed back to the bathroom.

Pushing the door open, he cast a look at the woman inside. "Are you cleaned up?"

Madison didn't respond.

Grayson looked at her. "Come out when you're clean."

Madison wiped away her tears. She always knew that crying was useless. Yet now, she felt a comforting relief, having let out her tears. At least the suffocation in her heart had eased.

She should have expected the evening to end this way. Knowing Grayson as she did, it would've been strange if he hadn't gotten angry.

She had braced herself for his reaction the moment she started calling and texting him. She knew that even though he had come to her rescue, he wasn't going to let her off easy. However, she didn't expect him to be so furious. When he had grabbed her clothes earlier, she thought for a moment he might tear her apart, too.

Dressed, Madison came out just as the meal Grayson ordered was delivered.

Grayson glanced at her. "Go eat."

Madison didn't move.

"Madison, don't make me lose my temper with you again!" Grayson's face was a mask of displeasure.

Still, Madison remained.

He scoffed. "What's wrong? Think I poisoned your food?"

"Pretty much."

Grayson chuckled, a sound unclear in intent. "I'm angry, yes, but when it comes to dealing with you, I prefer other methods."

Madison looked at him and sat down to eat. The dishes Grayson picked were surprisingly to her liking. The fiery pain in her stomach from earlier purging finally found momentary comfort after the meal.

Grayson watched her the entire time she ate. Only after she finished did he speak again. "Do you feel wronged?"