Chapter 49 Speak Up About Your Feelings

Madison didn't expect Grayson to come back that day. After all, Nora was waiting for his comfort elsewhere. However, to her surprise, he returned that evening.

"Mr. Grayson, you're back?" the nanny inquired.

Grayson nodded briefly, and after a moment of silence, he inquired further. "How is she? Did she eat?"

"She did. Madison ate quite well."

Nodding again, Grayson pushed open the bedroom door.

In the bedroom, Madison leaned against the bedside, a book in her hands. At the sound of movement, she looked up and locked eyes with Grayson, who stood silently before her.

Grayson walked over and slipped the book from her grasp. "You shouldn't be reading right now. Take a break from it for a while."

Madison paused momentarily before quietly agreeing, "Okay."

Her voice was exceptionally calm. Yet, it carried an undertone of indifference and detachment.

Grayson glanced at her but remained silent. Casually, he began unbuttoning his shirt and walked into the bathroom with his pajamas.

After freshening up, he headed to his study. He returned shortly with a document in hand.

"Take a look. If you have no objections, sign your name."

Madison took the paper, finding it was a property transfer agreement. It was a villa, previously under Grayson's name, was being transferred to her. Her fingers tightened around the document.

"How about it? Not enough for you?" Grayson asked.

Without looking up, Madison let out a bitter laugh. "It's enough."

It was more than enough. A child that shouldn't have existed in exchange for a villa worth eight figures. No one would dare to say otherwise.

Grayson was ruthless and cold-blooded, but undeniably generous.

"Thank you, Grayson." Madison finally looked up and forced a smile.

Grayson's discomfort was clear as he saw her smile.

"Madison, if you don't want to smile, then don't. It looks terrible."

Her smile didn't falter.

"Get some sleep early tonight, I'll be in the guest room," Grayson said.

"Okay."

When Grayson left, Madison stared at the agreement for a while before tucking it into a drawer. She didn't sign it. She couldn't.

With her child just gone, she couldn't bring herself to trade her child for money. She couldn't get over that emotional hurdle.

...

The next morning, the nanny placed the desserts on the dining table.

Grayson's brow slightly furrowed. "Something sweet?"

The nanny nodded with a smile. "Madison mentioned she likes sweets."

Grayson looked at Madison, surprised. "You like sweets? Since when?"

Madison paused her spoon mid-air. Without raising her head, she murmured an affirmation.

Grayson's lips curled into a faint smile. "Are you a kid? You like sweet things?"

"I've always kind of liked them," Madison said, not sure why she felt compelled to emphasize that.

Grayson nodded slightly. "All right, got it."

A faint twitch crossed Madison's lips. She intended not to make it sound like a special disclosure to him. Yet, as the words reached the brink of escape, she swallowed them back down. Any further explanation would seem contrived.

After sitting down, Grayson slid a piece of bread in front of her. "Since when did you have a sweet tooth?"

Madison was silent for a moment. "There's no need to broadcast it. If someone cares, they'll notice without being told. If they don't, speaking up won't change that."

It wasn't that she hadn't mentioned her fondness for sweets to Grayson. When they had first become an item, she used to whip up a sweet dish or two. Every time, Grayson would ask, "Why the dessert?"

She clung to hope and would reply with a tinge of anticipation, "Because I like sweet things, you know?"

However, the next time a sweet dish graced the table, Grayson would invariably ask again. Eventually, Madison stopped making them, learning new recipes catered solely to Grayson's palate.

Now, three years later, he had posed the question once more.

Grayson looked at her. "You've got to express what you like, or else no one will ever know."

Madison chuckled bitterly. Expressions only mattered to those who were cared for. Those who were not had no right to express themselves at all.

Madison remained silent, focusing intently on her meal.

Grayson said nothing further. His comment was just an offhand remark. Only when they finished eating did he speak again. "I've covered your position temporarily. Take a month off to recuperate, then come back to work."

Madison paused briefly, then admitted, "I'm thinking of resigning."

She couldn't stand the thought of continuing like this. Even though the agreement prevented her from leaving immediately, she at least wanted to distance herself from this man as much as she could. Besides, if a departure from Grayson were inevitable, she would need her career to fall back on.

Grayson paused mid-bite. Looking up at Madison, he was silent for a long while before asking, "Why?"

Madison lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes. "No reason. I just feel I may not be up for the job anymore."

Grayson let out a soft chuckle, his eyes swirling with mysterious intent. "Madison, you're being too modest. I'm well aware of your capabilities."

Madison frowned, puzzled by what this man was really thinking. Just moments ago, he had implied that if she couldn't cut it, someone else would take her place. Now, when she wanted to resign, he seemed unwilling to allow it.

She had no choice but to hunker down and try to persuade Grayson.

"The face of Ivy Jewelry is now Ms. Nora, and you've seen for yourself the kind of relationship I have with her. If I keep going, it's just going to make things worse between us."

Grayson nodded, unable to deny this point. "I'll assign you other things."

Madison felt a lump in her throat.

"Grayson, I really want to resign."

"Have I treated you unfairly?" Grayson's gaze was heavy as he looked at Madison.

Her lips pulled tight, and after a long moment, she let out a bitter laugh. "Haven't you? You replaced the confirmed spokesperson just like that, and you've repeatedly indulged Nora, causing project delays. Grayson, I truly can't continue with this job."

Grayson looked at her, and after a pause, he let out a cold laugh. "So, this is all about Nora."

"Yes." Madison didn't deny it. Her desire to resign was largely due to Nora.

She didn't want to stay by Grayson's side any longer, and, just the same, she didn't want anything to do with Nora.

"Well, that's perfect. A transfer should solve things. There's no need to resign," Grayson repeated his stance.

"Sorry, I choose to resign."

"If you insist on resigning, there's nothing I can do to stop you, but are you sure you can afford the breach of contract fee?"

After Grayson spoke, he set down his utensils and looked at Madison. "I'll have the company's legal team get in touch with you. Madison, you better think it over carefully."