Chapter 92 Cornered, Fair Competition
Madison had been busy working on her designs and registration for a designer competition for a week and had finally submitted them. If she passed the preliminary round, she'd be off to France for the finals.
She felt okay with that. Thrilled if she got to go, but not devastated if she didn't. After all, it meant leaving her two little ones behind for a fortnight, and that wasn't easy to do.
During the week, she didn't see Matthew, but she heard from Rachel and the kids that he often visited the preschool, asking about Madison's job. Now, she wasn't worried about hiding her identity anymore. She used to be scared he might find out about Quentin and Hannah and try to take them from her, but not anymore.
Madison didn't expect to see Matthew at her studio. In her office, comparing fabric samples that Rachel had brought, little Wee walked in, hesitating before speaking. "Madison, someone wants to see you."
Looking up at Wee's hesitant demeanor, Madison was puzzled. Who could it be? Nicholas was out of Horizon City, and it seemed no one else knew about her studio.
"Who is it?"
"You might want to see for yourself." Wee had seen Matthew before, but since Madison and Rachel hadn't mentioned him lately, she wasn't sure what the current situation was.
Madison set the fabric aside and stepped outside.
A man in a slate-gray suit stood tall in the lounge, his back to her. The studio's large windows flooded the room with sunlight, creating halos around him, emphasizing his natural nobility.
Madison stopped, feeling an instinctive urge to flee that was quickly extinguished by Matthew's call. "Madison."
Guests were to be greeted, so Madison refrained from her impulse to run away. "What brings you here?"
Matthew, gazing at the woman he hadn't seen in a week now thinking of escaping, felt a serious conversation was overdue.
"Madison, we need to talk."
"Oh? About what?"
Sometimes, Matthew felt on the verge of exasperation with Madison's naivety.
"Let's find a more appropriate place," Matthew suggested, mindful that the studio still had several employees around. They couldn't just have this conversation in the main hall.
Madison took him to her office and entered first. Matthew followed and discreetly locked the door behind them.
She turned around to face him, her gaze purposefully evasive.
Matthew let out a soft sigh, resting his eyes intently on Madison's face for a long moment before speaking softly, "Did I scare you the other night?"
"No," Madison answered honestly. She wasn't scared, just unwilling to meet the response he sought.
"Then why have you been avoiding me these past few days?" Matthew asked directly.
"I... I haven't," Madison stammered, a hint of embarrassment in her tone as a blush crept up her cheeks.
Matthew observed the petite woman in front of him, her cheeks flushed and her head bowed, a faint smile lingering on his lips. He decided not to inquire further.
"Don't feel pressured. I know the past has left you with concerns, and you lack confidence in me. I just want to say that if you ever consider finding a dad for Quentin and Hannah, I hope you'll let me stand in line. I'd like a fair shot, just like anyone else. I won't try to take them from you. I hope we can be one family, a family that lives together."
Madison listened, growing more subdued. Her hands nervously twisted in front of her as she remained silent, her heart thumping as though it might burst from her chest. She hadn't anticipated this sudden confession.
Matthew was even more nervous, his palms slightly sweaty. The lengthy minute stretched out like an eternity.
Seeing Madison's continued silence, Matthew spoke again, "Just a fair shot, like anyone else. Is that okay?"
Madison looked up in surprise, detecting a hint of pleading in his voice. Matthew, the powerful CEO of JK Group, was a force to be reckoned with in Horizon City. People usually begged him, not the other way around.
He must genuinely care for Quentin and Hannah to go this far.
Madison nodded slightly. After all, she never intended to find a new dad for Quentin and Hannah, nor had she considered remarrying. What harm could there be in agreeing? It was like making an empty promise that would never be kept.
Seeing Madison finally nod her agreement, Matthew let out a sigh of relief. Just moments ago, he had been holding his breath, not even daring to contemplate what he'd do if she had said no.
"So, does this mean you'll stop avoiding me from now on?" Matthew asked with a hint of hope.
"I wasn't avoiding you. I've just been swamped," Madison murmured defensively.
Before he left, Matthew said he'd leave work early to pick up Madison, and then they'd go to the daycare for Quentin and Hannah before heading back to The Old Residence. Madison agreed since she hadn't visited Grandpa in a while.
However, she felt a bit perplexed, wondering why he would bother picking her up when it would be simpler to just go straight to the daycare. Taking the subway home was so convenient for her!
At 3 PM, Matthew showed up at the studio on time, his presence not as forbidding as it had been in the morning.
Madison couldn't exactly repeat Matthew's words about "fair shot" herself, so she just told Rachel she was going to The Old Residence, and Rachel didn't pry.
The family of four reached The Old Residence, and Grandpa was thrilled. Matthew had called earlier to say he'd bring Madison and the two little ones home that evening. Grandpa had already asked Valerie to prepare a variety of dishes.
Recently, it was either just Matthew visiting or him bringing only the kids, and each time, it seemed like his thoughts were elsewhere. Grandpa suspected a rift between Matthew and Madison but got no answers when he tried to ask. He decided to let his grandson handle it.
Finally, the whole family was back together, and at dinner, Grandpa kept signaling Matthew to serve Madison and fill her bowl with chicken soup. But Matthew was as stiff as a post.
Eventually, Grandpa had to voice his command, "Matthew, get Madison one more bowl of chicken soup. If you don't look after your own wife, someone else will."
Madison felt awkward and tried to decline. She looked up at Matthew, hoping to stop his actions, but he didn't seem to see her and coolly served the soup.
"Of course, Grandpa," he said.
Under the table, Madison gave him a soft kick. Matthew, his head lowered as he ate, didn't respond.
Grandpa watched the young couple's subtle exchanges with delight, thinking that his grandson had finally come to his senses.
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