Chapter 40 Injured

Madison couldn't quite articulate what she felt in her heart. She had thought the memories from their childhood held some special significance for Grayson.

Apparently, they did not. In his heart, only Nora was the light of his life.

At this moment, she felt utterly ridiculous. The memories she often clung to as treasures were hers alone to cherish.

"The auction's about to start. Let's get back," Owen remarked.

Snapping out of her reverie, Madison replied, "Okay."

She followed Owen into the Auction Hall.

Just as they entered, a staff member called out to her. "Madison, Grayson is asking for you."

She looked at Owen. "I'll head over there first."

"Sure."

Madison was led toward where Grayson was waiting. Grayson took a seat in the front row with Nora at his side. Nora noticed the slight curl at the corner of Madison's lips.

"Madison, you're here too?"

Madison nodded without much small talk.

Grayson glanced at Madison. "How are you feeling?"

"All good," Madison replied with a nod.

"Where did you go just now?"

"Just stepped out for a bit. Then, I ran into Owen."

Grayson nodded in acknowledgment and didn't probe further, simply handing her a catalog. "Take a look, see if anything catches your eye."

Madison hesitated. "I thought—"

Before she could finish, Nora cut in.

"Grayson, those earrings are absolutely stunning. You have to bid on them for me later!"

Grayson replied with a smile, "How many times have you mentioned them?"

"Just make sure you get them for me."

"Got it," Grayson responded.

Madison instantly clammed up. Nora beamed at his answer.

Turning to Madison, she asked, "Whitney, see anything you like?"

After a pause, Madison handed the catalog back to Grayson. "If possible, I will rather have the cash, Grayson."

Grayson snorted. "Madison, you're always so practical."

Madison grew quiet and didn't speak further.

The auction ended well past eleven. True to his word, Grayson didn't bid on anything for her.

He stood up and said, "You find your way back. I'm going to drop Nora off."

"Okay." Madison uttered a response, watching Grayson and Nora leave together before she exited the Auction Hall alone.

Outside, rain had started to fall at some unknown point. Madison stood at the Auction Hall entrance and glanced at the now desolate Entire Street.

As she contemplated calling Owen, a sudden outcry caught her attention. Then, a figure charged toward her.

Before she could process what was happening, another scream pierced the air. A sharp pain surged from her arm. A teenage girl, screaming madly, lunged at her.

"B*tch! Homewrecker! How dare you Nora and Grayson's relationship?! You're a lowlife! I'll teach you a lesson for Nora!"

Blood streamed from the gash in Madison's arm.

Madison cried out in pain, "Can someone please call the ambulance for me?!"

"What good will it do? You're still a homewrecker, a mistress!" The girl was wild, her insults unceasing even as a security guard restrained her.

Owen rushed to Madison's side and saw the blood oozing from her arm, his face paling instantly. "Madison, get to the hospital first. Someone will handle this."

She nodded at Owen and got into the car. Once inside, Owen furrowed his brows and asked, "Where's my brother?"

Madison paused before replying, "He took Nora home."

Owen opened his mouth to speak, then shut it without saying a word. He started the car and sped away, leaving the crowd behind.

Owen drove fast, straight to the nearest hospital from the Auction Hall.

At the hospital, Madison followed the doctor to get her wound treated.

"Can I do without the medication?" she asked softly.

The doctor looked at her in surprise. "That's a pretty big cut. You can't do without some treatment."

Madison bit her lip. "I'm pregnant and worried about the baby."

The doctor paused. "I see. I'll use something that won't harm the fetus, but you're at risk of infection without medication."

She had no choice but to agree. "Thank you."

The doctor smiled. "No need to thank me. Since you're expecting, let's do an ultrasound to make sure the baby hasn't been affected."

"Okay."

After the ultrasound confirmed the baby was unharmed, Madison finally breathed a sigh of relief. When she stepped out from the ultrasound room, Grayson and Nora were there, and Nora's agent had tagged along.

Grayson's frown deepened at the sight of her bandaged arm. "Are you all right?"

Madison avoided his gaze. "I'm fine. Don't worry, Grayson."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Nora, standing beside Grayson with teary eyes, said, "I'm so sorry, Madison. I never thought my fan would do something like this."

After a moment of silence, Madison responded, "It's okay. It's not your fault."

"Exactly, there's no way this is Nora's fault," Nora's agent chimed in defensively.

Madison couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer. "I'm just wondering, how did the fans find out about my relationship with Grayson? Even people in the company don't know, so how did it get to the fans? Is someone deliberately leaking this?"

Madison's confrontation took aback Nora's agent.

"What are you implying, Madison? Are you suggesting that we hinted to Nora's fans to do this?"

Madison chuckled. "I didn't say that, but the truth will come to light eventually."

Nora's eyes brimmed with tears.

Madison said, "I'm going to get some medicine." After speaking, she turned and left the room.

Behind her, Nora burst into even heavier sobs. "Grayson, I really didn't."

Grayson's eyes were deep and unreadable. He neither expressed belief nor disbelief, instead glancing at Nora's agent. "Take Nora home and call me once she's settled. I don't want to hear any more rumors after this," he instructed with solemnity.

The agent quickly acknowledged the order, but Nora refused to leave. "Don't you believe me?"

With a resigned sigh, Grayson replied, "Isn't it enough that I believe you? Now go get some rest."

"That's more like it," Nora said, her tears giving way to a smile.

"Go on." Grayson watched Nora leave with her agent before turning to Owen. "What exactly happened?"

Owen shook his head. "I'm not sure. It was chaos when I got there, and Madison was already hurt. Grayson, you don't think Nora can really be..."

Grayson's gaze met Owen's. Owen felt a twinge of guilt. "I'm just thinking out loud here."

Grayson remained silent for a moment before speaking. "She had no reason to do something like that."