Chapter 34 Meeting at the Most Embarrassing Time
When Madison returned with Rachel, the two little ones were already playing with toys in the room. "Were you good today? Did you cause any trouble for Wendy?" she asked.
"Mom, of course, we were good," Hannah replied sweetly.
Madison had to go to the studio the next day, so she picked up her pajamas and prepared to take an early bath. That's when her phone rang—it was Nicholas. "Hello, Nicholas."
"Hey, Madison, hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Not at all. I’m free now. What's up?"
"Well, there's a dinner tomorrow night, and I'm in need of a companion. I was wondering if you're available. Would you join me?"
A minute of silence. On the other end of the phone, Nicholas waited nervously, about to give up, thinking he'd been too abrupt, "It’s okay. If it's not convenient, let's forget it."
In truth, Madison was worried about attending the dinner, having never been to such an event, and whether she might embarrass Nicholas. But hearing the disappointment in Nicholas' voice, she couldn't bear to refuse him.
"I can, Nicholas. Send me the time and place, and I'll make my own way there."
"7 PM, I’ll pick you up."
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
*
At 7 PM the next day, Nicholas parked his car on time in front of the apartment and called Madison, leaning against the car waiting. Madison came downstairs towards Nicholas, dressed in a black off-shoulder evening gown highlighting her slender figure, gracefully accentuating her curves, and was charming and sexy. Her fair, flawless skin and sparkling eyes, along with her long, elegant neck, exuded a beauty that was both noble and alluring. Her long, shapely legs peeking out from the gown and matched with high heels of the same color made her look even more enchanting.
Madison approached, "Nicholas."
Nicholas snapped back to reality, clearing his throat in slight embarrassment, as he opened the passenger door for her before circling around to the driver's side to drive away.
On a dazzlingly brilliant night, outside the entrance of the Imperial Hotel, a cluster of luxury cars gathered, and to Madison's surprise, journalists were camped out with their cameras, causing a bit of nervousness in her. She hadn't expected such a spectacle, thinking it was just a casual get-together. The two got out of the car, and Nicholas took her hand to loop it through his arm, "Don't worry. Once we're inside, we can just find a quiet corner to stay in."
"Okay." Hearing Nicholas's words, Madison relaxed, figuring they weren't the main attraction and could just hide away in a corner.
A commotion erupted nearby as they walked through the hotel entrance, with journalists exclaiming, "Matthew is here!" Everyone crowded forward as several security guards started to hold back the frenzied journalists.
The name Matthew triggered Madison to turn around reflexively, just in time to see a luxurious Pagani come to a stop at the entrance, with security respectfully opening the car door.
Matthew, in a black suit, stepped out with his long legs. He was just as handsome and charismatic as he had been four years ago.
Caught up in sight, Madison watched as security opened the other car door, revealing Brianna in a red evening gown, her neck adorned with the pink diamond necklace Matthew had given her last time, her face donning a slight smile, elegant and poised as she stepped out.
"Wow! Matthew is driving himself. Such a talented and graceful couple!" someone exclaimed.
"Absolutely, the business tycoon is in love with the elegant dancer. I heard she's his first love!"
Chatter filled the air as Madison stood frozen, watching the striking couple. She didn't expect to run into Matthew and Brianna. After all, Horizon is a big city, and had she known, she might have chosen not to come with Nicholas.
The crowd seemed to tighten around her, making it difficult to breathe, and witnessing Matthew after four years still had an effect on her.
"Are you okay? Your hand is cold." Nicholas sensed that Madison hadn't been herself since Matthew appeared.
"It's nothing, Nicholas, let's go inside. Perhaps it's just the chilly wind." Madison turned away, refusing to gaze at the couple any longer.
Meanwhile, Matthew looked up, his eyes catching the sight of Madison's turning figure. He hesitated for a moment. Was that her?
No, she had never dressed up like that, and it seemed there was a man with her—surely he must have been mistaken!
Seeing Matthew's gaze fixed on the hotel entrance, Brianna, who was following him, glanced in that direction but saw nothing. She paused and asked, "Matthew, what are you looking at?"
"Nothing, let's go in."
After Madison entered with Nicholas, he had some networking to do and noticed Madison wasn't in high spirits, so he suggested she take a rest and that he would come find her later.
The banquet hall buzzed with the fragrance of perfumes and the presence of dignitaries and beauties. It was Madison's first time on such an occasion, and she felt out of place. She found a sofa in the corner near the buffet table.
After sitting for a while, Madison grabbed a glass of juice and selected a plate of food, intending to return to her spot to eat, when a portly, balding middle-aged man suddenly appeared behind her, nearly causing her to spill her drink on him.
"Excuse me," Madison quickly stepped back and apologized, attempting to leave, but he blocked her path.
"Miss, all by yourself? How about I keep you company?" The sleazy man had been eyeing Madison for a while, and, seeing her alone on the sofa for so long, he assumed she had no significant backing—this emboldened him to reach out with his greasy hands. Madison quickly dodged to the side. Unable to find Nicholas and feeling anxious, she realized that this corner of the room was sparsely populated. The man was standing in her way and seemed challenging to bypass.
As Madison remained silent, the man grew bolder and reached out as if to embrace her. In her desperation, Madison threw the juice in her hand at him.
His face and clothes soaked, he raised his hand and slapped it toward Madison's cheek. "You bitch, do you know who I am? You don't appreciate what you're given. You'll cry and beg me soon." He then grabbed Madison to pull her outside while she struggled fiercely, "Let me go! Let me go!"
The commotion caught everyone's attention, and they looked on, but no one recognized Madison, and since the attendees of the banquet included business executives who had dealings, to a greater or lesser extent, with the sleazy man, none spoke up to stop him. It was as if they were spectators at a play.
"Let go!" A cold, sharp voice cut through, and the crowd parted as Matthew made his way over. His gaze was fixed sternly on the man's hand gripping Madison, which was already reddening.
"Let go!" Everyone knew Matthew was not prone to outward displays of emotion, but now his anger was palpable to all.
The greasy man sheepishly released Madison's hand. "Heh, Matthew, this girl slipped in to tempt me, and now she's throwing a fit after changing her mind. I was just teaching her a lesson."
Matthew didn't even glance at the man from beginning to end, focusing instead on the woman before him, taking in the red mark on her face. "Which hands struck her?"
"What? What are you talking about?" The greasy man hadn't expected the woman to know Matthew. Had he known, he wouldn't have dared to bother her.
"Don’t make me ask again."
"It's not like that, Matthew—it's a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding..." The greasy man realized something was amiss and stammered out an explanation.
Matthew wasn't listening to his nonsense. Standing beside Carl, he said to Carl, "Take him out."
Not expecting to encounter Madison at the banquet under such circumstances, Carl knew this guy was in trouble for messing with Matthew.
"Yes."
Carl dragged the greasy man away neatly. Everyone was left wondering what would become of him, but it was clear it wouldn't be pleasant.
Later, that guy's company went under in just a week. Though nothing was said outright, everyone knew JK Group was behind it.
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