Chapter 36: He Never Cared

Madison's head buzzed. She swiftly got up and checked Twitter.

There it was on the trending list—Nora was seen entering a hotel at midnight with a mystery man ranked near the top. Madison immediately recognized the man in the photo as Grayson.

Thanks to a group photo from the previous day, many fans speculated the man was indeed Grayson.

Grayson was the true head of the Mellon family. Now, he also owned Ivy Jewelry. It was hard not to think of the word "sponsor" when such a powerful and wealthy man got entangled with a freshly-returned junior starlet.

The tone in the comments section was starting to take a concerning turn.

As the spokesperson for Ivy Jewelry, Nora's image was intertwined with that of the brand. If her reputation collapsed, it would inevitably impact Ivy Jewelry. Madison sprang out of bed, her mind racing with various PR strategies.

Before she could return Sophia's call, a knock sounded at her door.

Upon opening it, she found an executive standing there. "Madison, Grayson sent me to bring you to see him."

Madison paused. "Is this about the trending topic?"

The executive nodded, hesitation flickering across his face. Madison took note but didn't press further. She quickly got ready and followed the executive out.

The hotel where Grayson was staying was far away. When Madison arrived, Grayson was sitting in his room, his expression steely. Beside him stood Owen. Nora's agent was on the other side.

"Grayson," Madison greeted as she entered. "About the trending topic..."

"Was it you?" Grayson cut her off before she could finish. His voice was chillingly calm, his dark gaze devoid of any warmth.

Madison caught her breath, her remaining words lodged in her throat. After a moment, she managed to ask, "What do you mean?"

"Did you orchestrate the trending search?" Grayson's voice was flat.

Madison's thoughts descended into chaos. It was then she remembered. No one dared to publicize news about Grayson or post his pictures.

Grayson had been involved with rising stars before. He had been photographed numerous times. But no matter how many pictures were taken without his permission, they were never released. The paparazzi took these photos merely to extort money from the stars.

If this photo was released without Nora or Grayson's consent, there was only one possibility—someone was targeting Nora.

Clearly, Grayson suspected her.

Numbness spread through Madison's limbs, and she felt even the blood coursing through her veins turn cold.

"Does you suspect me?" Madison struggled to keep her voice steady, yet her pallor betrayed her growing uneasiness.

Grayson's tone remained devoid of any emotion.

"I just need to know. Was it you?"

Madison forced a rigid smile, barely curving the corners of her mouth. "No, it wasn't."

"You sure?" Grayson narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze coldly probing for any hint of expression on her face.

Bitterness shrouded Madison. "Yes, Grayson. It wasn't me."

After staring at her for a moment, Grayson relented, "You don't need to worry about the PR mess."

Madison offered a half-hearted smile. "Okay, is there anything else? If not, I should head back."

Grayson watched her, silence stretching between them until he finally spoke, "Let the Executive drive you home."

Madison flashed a grateful smile. "Thank you, Grayson."

With that, she turned and made her way out the door.

Inside the room, Nora's agent's brows furrowed instantly. "Grayson, she says it wasn't her, and you just believe that? If not her, who else could it be? Nora hasn't crossed anybody since she returned."

Grayson glanced at Nora's agent. "Go back."

"Grayson..."

"Go!" Grayson commanded without another glance in that direction.

The agent started to protest, but Owen swiftly intervened. "You better go back. The boss will handle it."

With no other option, the agent left reluctantly.

...

Madison walked out of the hotel, still in a daze. She had never imagined Grayson could suspect her of anything. She felt as if she couldn't breathe, suffocated by the weight in her chest.

Grayson probably never trusted her at all. That was why he confronted her like this. He didn't even consider whether his accusations might hurt her. He didn't care.

Madison left the hotel with a vacant look in her eyes, finding the Executive already waiting by the entrance.

"Madison, are you alright?"

Snapping back to reality, Madison managed a tight smile. "I'm fine."

The Executive opened his mouth, wanting to offer comfort, but found himself at a loss for words. In the end, he stayed silent and opened the car door for Madison.

Once seated in the car, she closed her eyes. She must have lost her mind, thinking that that man had a shred of care for her.

Her heart ached as if it were being suffocated.

Time passed indistinctly before Sophia's call came through again. "Boss, what about the PR situation? Should we get in touch with Nora's agent?"

Madison paused for a moment. "No need, Grayson will handle it personally."

Sophia blinked in surprise, then uttered an "Oh" before asking, "Boss, are you all right?"

Madison just smiled. "I'm fine."

...

In the hotel, Grayson leaned back on the sofa, his expression unreadable.

Owen stood beside him, silent for a moment. "It couldn't have been Madison."

Grayson glanced up at him. "What makes you say that?"

Owen offered a wry smile. "There's nothing in it for her. Besides, after three years together, you should know Whitney isn't one to play underhanded tricks."

With a light chuckle, Grayson said, "What if she's banking on that very assumption?"

Owen furrowed his brow, doubtful. There was no need for Madison to do that. It wasn't worth the risk.

However, since his brother had spoken, Owen closed his mouth and said no more.

After a moment's thought, Grayson instructed, "Bring me the reporter who broke the story."

A grunt was heard from Owen. "Yeah, it's better to get it straight from the horse's mouth."

With that, he headed out, but just before reaching the door, Grayson added, "Keep Nora out of this."

Owen paused, then nodded. "Sure."

The first journalist to show up was a thirty-something paparazzo, clearly confused when Owen brought him over until he saw Grayson.

"Are you Grayson Mellon?"

Grayson stood before him, one hand casually in his pocket, exuding an imposing presence that made the reporter's knees buckle.

"Mr. Grayson, I'm sorry—I didn't realize it was you. I'm truly sorry."

Grayson chuckled softly. "You had no idea?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unmistakable threat.

The reporter's face went pale. "Sorry, Mr. Grayson, I really didn't know. Someone sent me a message, told me to stake out the hotel entrance, claiming some starlet was having a late-night rendezvous with a sugar daddy."

Grayson's eyes narrowed slightly.

Owen quickly interjected, "And you went ahead and published the pictures just like that?"

The reporter was ghostly white now. "Someone paid me and told me to publish it as soon as I got the shot."

Grayson kicked the man over and walked away without another word. Owen hurried to help the reporter to his feet.

"I really had no idea that guy was Mr. Grayson. If I had known, I wouldn't have posted it, no matter what," the reporter continued to explain.

Owen sighed softly. "Be more careful next time," he said, dropping the advice before hurrying after Grayson.

Grayson was already back in the car, one hand resting on the window and the other casually thrown over the back of the seat. His expression was unreadable, but the tense aura around him made it clear he was not in a good mood.

After Owen got in the car, he glanced at Grayson. "Grayson, should we dig deeper and find out who paid him?"

Grayson, eyes set on the world outside, paused before simply replying, "No need."

Owen's gaze flickered, understanding that his brother probably had already figured out what was going on. "What do we do now?"

After a moment of silence, Grayson instructed, "Pull the trending topic."

"Yeah, and then what? What about the online chatter? Nora is the face of Ivy Jewelry this year."

By now, Owen had a hunch that Nora herself most likely orchestrated this whole drama. Otherwise, no one could have known so precisely when his brother was going to meet with Nora. Sometimes, he genuinely didn't get what his brother saw in Nora. Compared to Madison, Nora just seemed to come up short.

"Grayson?" Owen asked again, waiting for a response the first time.

Grayson pulled his gaze back inside. "Go public with the story of my past relationship with Nora, and transfer half a million to Madison for compensation."