Chapter 28: A Cruel and Lucid Reminder

Madison's lips pressed tightly together. She didn't reply.

Of course, she felt wronged. However, her sense of injustice wouldn't garner any sympathy or softness from this man.

"Did you miss the last two times Fabian overstepped his boundaries, or do you just not care?" Grayson said, forcing her to look at him by grabbing the back of her neck.

Madison repeated her stance. "I had no other choice but to go to Mr. Fabian. Nora isn't cooperating, the agent won't answer the phone, and you insist on keeping Nora on the team. What can I have done?"

Grayson released her. "If you can't get the job done, maybe it's time to replace you!"

"Grayson, please understand, it's Nora who has been uncooperative, not me!"

He scoffed. "And why is she uncooperative? Madison, didn't I warn you not to provoke her? Think about how you've been treating her!"

Madison looked down, her heart aching as if it might suffocate. She didn't think the way she treated Nora was the problem. Nora was the one who had been on her case from the get-go. She believed she had been making concessions.

Yet, all this guy could see was her being in the wrong. He never noticed Nora's insults toward her.

After a while, she managed to give Grayson a wry smile. "So, Grayson, you think this is all on me?"

Leaning against the couch, Grayson's indifference was unmistakable. "I've said it before—it doesn't matter who's right or wrong. What matters is, do you think you have the right to stand up to Nora, Madison?"

Her heart felt like it was being pricked with needles. Her complexion grew paler by the second. She truly had no right.

Nora had the backing of the powerful McMahon family and Grayson by her side. Now, she was even a rising star in the entertainment industry.

Madison had nothing to fight with. She had to admit that Grayson was right. His cold, clear-headed reminder told her she should never have crossed Nora in the first place.

Right or wrong, she would be the loser in the end. He wouldn't help her. He might even fuel the situation, forcing her to face this harsh reality. Any rebellion would only lead to punishment for her.

She couldn't say anything , because without his love, his heart had been biased from the start. He didn't care how much she suffered or struggled. All he wanted was for her to submit quietly.

"I understand."

No matter how bitter she felt. She knew if she continued to fight, she would only get hurt more.

Nora had made it clear she wasn't eligible to compete. She conceded.

It finally pleased Grayson. "Did you set a time with Nora?"

"Yes."

He nodded slightly. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

Grayson was silent for a moment. "If you're not feeling well, you can push it back a day."

"No need. It took a while to get this appointment, and I don't know when the next chance will be."

Grayson stood up and went into the bathroom. "Suit yourself, then."

Madison rose and returned to her room. After taking her medicine, she called Amelia. "Today, someone forced a drink on me."

Pain throbbed in Madison's chest. If this harmed her child, she really wouldn't see a point in carrying on.

"How much did you have?"

"Just a sip, then I made myself throw up. I'm not sure how much I actually ingested."

"It shouldn't be a big deal but try to avoid it in the future."

"Mmm," Madison responded with a hum.

"You sound down. What's up?" her friend asked through the phone.

Madison chuckled lightly. "I'm just a bit tired."

"Get some sleep early then. It will help if you are in good spirits. It makes all the difference," her friend advised.

"Will do." This time, Madison's smile reached her eyes.

Once she ended the call, she drifted off to sleep.

After his shower, Grayson headed straight to his study. By the time he emerged and returned to the bedroom, it was well past midnight.

Half-asleep, Madison felt herself pulled into his embrace. His warm lips pressed against hers, but deep down, Madison didn't want to reciprocate.

"Can we not tonight?" she murmured.

Grayson paused. "Madison, you should remember, I'm not paying you to give me attitude," he said sharply.

Madison's heart squeezed tight. She was there to satisfy his desires. She did not forget.

She stopped resisting and even cooperated. Grayson was relentless as if punishing her. It was almost like he was devouring her whole. Madison matched his movements while carefully trying to ease his intensity.

It wasn't until after 2 a.m. that Grayson finally stopped.

Exhausted, Madison felt the sweat cooling on her collarbone, stinging slightly where Grayson had left a bite mark. This new bruise completely obscured the red mark that Fabian had left.

The hot water from the shower provided no comfort as Grayson's gaze landed on the bite mark.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

Madison shook her head.

He pressed his hand firmly over it. "How about now?"

Madison's face paled instantly, but Grayson didn't ease his grip.

"It should hurt, Madison. Remember your place, and don't dirty yourself like you did today," he admonished.

Madison wanted to argue. "I'm not dirty!"

His laugh was light yet cold. "If I had been any later, can you honestly say you wouldn't have been sullied?"

Madison closed her mouth. She couldn't guarantee anything. If Grayson hadn't come, there was no doubt Fabian wouldn't have missed the chance to take what was just within his reach. "I had originally planned to meet outside, but he changed the location at the last minute."

"And?" Grayson's expression was unmoved. He wasn't looking for explanations.

"It won't happen again," Madison finally conceded.

Grayson, finally content, wrapped her in a towel and carried her back to bed.

Back in bed, Madison lay down, instinctively scooting a bit further from him. However, Grayson pulled her back to his side.

"Do you want to sleep on the floor, Madison?"

Madison didn't respond. Grayson, holding her waist, trapped her within his embrace. "Sleep now."

...

The next day, Madison woke up early, thinking Grayson might have already left. To her surprise, he was out on the balcony, watering the flowers. She stood beside him. "Aren't you working today, Grayson?"

He looked up. "How's your stomach?"

Madison hesitated, then looked away. "It's all right. Just occasionally a little nauseous."

He nodded, setting a business card on the small table at the balcony. "My doctor. If you're not feeling well, go see him; I've already filled him in."

After wiping his hands with a tissue, he left the card and walked away.

Madison stared at the card on the table for a long while before gathering her things and heading to the studio.

Today, Nora arrived fairly on time. She glanced at Madison and strode into the makeup room.

Nora's agent approached Madison casually. "Quite impressive, Madison."

Madison raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Agent Zhang?"

The agent scoffed. "Playing dumb?"

With a slight smile, Madison responded, "I really don't know what you mean. If you came to insult me, there's no need. We're simply colleagues; our interests aren't in conflict."

"Madison, why are you playing a fool?" the agent said angrily. "Grayson has never been harsh to Nora. Yet, he phoned her this morning, instructing her to cooperate with you and threatening to replace her otherwise. Did you tattle on her?"