Chapter 2 Lust Over Love

Madison stiffened.

She turned around, managing to appear calm. "What would you do if it were me?"

Grayson's eyes darkened, a cold air seemingly radiating from him, a stark contrast to the passionate man he'd been moments ago.

"What can I do? I'd arrange for the procedure," he said coldly.

Her complexion turned pale as she clutched her hands tightly.

His gaze turned icier as he continued. "Madison, don't forget the rules of our game."

She froze. That was right, their relationship had always been just a game.

After all, given her ordinary background, she was never a match for someone like Grayson. She was from an average family.

Grayson, however, was the eldest son and grandson of the prestigious Mellon family, the true head of the clan.

Their affair had begun entirely by chance.

Three years ago, her mother had been in a terrible car accident that left them in desperate need of money, and Madison had boldly approached her biological father for help.

She had knelt outside the posh mansion all night, fainting with not a dime to show for it.

In the end, it was Grayson who stumbled upon her as he passed by.

When she woke up in the hospital the next day, Grayson's first words to her were an inquiry if she was up for a game.

It's a risqué adult game with no strings attached.

All she had asked was, "Does it pay?"

Grayson laughed, a flash of admiration in his eyes as he said, "You're practical."

Over these three years, while Grayson continued to treat it all as a game, her feelings had deepened.

After all, he was the man she had harbored feelings for more years than she could count. Yet she knew this unrequited love was destined to fade without fanfare.

Suppressing the spreading ache in her heart, Madison forced a smile.

"Grayson, don't worry. It's not me."

Grayson leaned back in his chair, a hint of a smile playing on the edge of his cool lips. "You've always been level-headed. I trust you."

With a poised smile, Madison quickly left the CEO's office before Grayson could sense anything amiss.

Stepping out, Sophia Morgan was already at the door. "Boss, the meeting starts in five minutes."

She nodded, gathered her composure, and headed for the conference room.

...

The meeting concluded at ten in the evening.

Nicholas was as shrewd and calculating as ever.

Madison had nearly been outmaneuvered several times.

Both yielded when a price agreeable to both was struck, and the contract for the next fiscal year was signed.

As Nicholas packed up, he glanced over at Madison. "Madison, how about a drink?"

Madison offered a courteous smile. "It's late tonight. Let's do it another time. Next time, it's on me, Nicholas."

However, Nicholas wasn't deterred by her refusal. "Madison, are you really going to turn me down?"

Her head began to ache at his insistence.

Nicholas had been pursuing her since last year when they first started working on a project together.

She had rebuffed him many times, but given their professional interactions, Nicholas showed no signs of giving up.

"Everyone's worked so hard. Shouldn't you treat us all?" With that, Nicholas gestured toward their colleagues who had shared the conference room. Madison couldn't reject their hopeful looks.

Reluctantly, Madison agreed.

The club was one Nicholas had picked out.

Unexpectedly, that was where they ran into Grayson.

Nicholas led the group into the club and settled everyone in a private room before whisking Madison off to another. "You have another meeting."

Madison, who shared many professional connections with Grayson, only thought a little of it and followed along.

As soon as she entered the room, she spotted Grayson, the center of attention amidst his raucous circle of friends. Each man in the group had a woman by his side.

A B-list actress was seated next to Grayson. Her eyes sparkled with flirtatious charm, a seductive air about her.

However, Grayson lounged on the couch with an air of nonchalance, radiating an effortless charisma, yet there was a detachment in his gaze. He neither accepted the actress's advances nor outright rejected them.

In the thick of ambiguous flirtation, the actress tended to Grayson more diligently.

Madison glanced their way only briefly before shifting her attention.

Noticing Madison's arrival, Grayson frowned ever so slightly, but he remained still.

In contrast, Owen Mellon brightened at the sight of Madison. He cast a glance at his big brother and then looked at Madison, a teasing smile on his face.

"Madison, care for a drink?"

"It'd be rude to refuse Nicholas's hospitality."

Madison didn't squeeze into the crowd, choosing instead a quiet corner to sit.

"Why sit so far away? Come join us here." Owen was the mischievous brother who knew too well the nature of Madison's relationship with Grayson.

He was aware that the actress didn't quite catch Grayson's eye. Now, with Madison there, the actress faded even further into the background.

Madison was stunning, her innocent features mixed with a captivating allure. Even in a business suit, she had a way of charming that sent ripples through the heart. It had to be said that his brother's taste in women was impeccable.

A woman like Madison, if ever tossed into the showbiz scene, could set it ablaze even as a mere ornament.

Owen was keen to seat Madison next to his brother.

Madison, however, stayed content in her seclusion. There was no need to join the group when Grayson was already well-accompanied. She would only be superfluous.

Nicholas brought over a glass of wine with dutiful eagerness. "Madison, have a drink."

Madison did not take the wine.

"I'm not feeling well today; I'll stick with water."

Nicholas's mood faltered a bit. He had gone to great lengths to invite this beauty out, hoping to share a few drinks and let the night unfold from there. Yet he didn't expect her to be so cool, not even touching the wine.

"Grayson, the Whitneys sure know how to play it cool," one of the guests commented with a sly smile. "At such an event, they can't even be bothered to take up a courtesy drink."

Grayson cast a glance in the direction of the voice, his gaze then landing on Nicholas, whose arm was snug around Madison.

Madison subtly shifted backward, widening the distance between herself and Nicholas.

Grayson let out a soft snort. "If Nicholas wants the Madisons to drink, he should do the persuading. Why involve me? Though I may be in a senior position at work, Madison's personal life isn't my business to meddle in."

Nicholas chuckled. "Well, if I end up making someone cry later, don't come blaming me."

The implication was not lost on the adults in the room. It was risqué enough to stir up some gossip.

Madison's eyes instinctively sought Grayson, but he gave her only a fleeting glance, his expression undisturbed.

With a forced thin smile, Madison turned away, suppressing the spreading ache inside.

Owen glanced between his older brother and Madison. Both of them were quite the actors.

He laughed to himself and continued to stir the pot playfully. "Nicholas, you got the hots for our Madison?"

Nicholas didn't bother hiding his intentions. "You noticed, huh? I've been chasing Madison for a while now."

Leaning towards Madison with a suggestive tone, he asked, "Will Madison give me a chance?"

"Whoa!" Owen exclaimed excitedly. "Nicholas, are you trying to steal someone's girl right in front of her boss?"

Unfazed, Nicholas held Grayson's gaze. "I am interested, and I admire Madison greatly. The question is, will Grayson be willing to let go?"

Grayson's eyes swept coolly over the scene, a shadow of darkness flickering within them. "It's not about whether I let go. It's about how Madison chooses. If Madison wants to leave, I'm not the type to insist on holding back."

He paused, his chilling gaze suddenly locking onto Madison. "Madison, do you want to go with Nicholas?"