Christina blinked. “I would like that.”
“Let’s go, then.” Nathaniel said.
Noticing the exchange, Sebastian felt a tinge of admiration.
Mr. Hadley did not want to go just a second ago. A mere word from Mrs. Hadley was sufficient to change his mind. Nobody spoils their wife as he does.
Madison, too, managed to deduce the reason. “I’ll make the reservations,” she said with a small smile.
Later that evening, the four of them were seated in a private room.
The table was filled with various delicacies, many of which Christina had never seen before.
Curious about the new, unfamiliar food, she ate most of it.
Halfway through, Madison ordered the manager to open a bottle of red wine. “You must try the wine. here, Mrs. Hadley. It’s sweet and tangy.”
She poured Christina a glass as she spoke.
Although she was not particularly fond of drinking, Christina did not decline the offer. After a few sips, she found it delectable.
Madison poured her another glass, smiling as she did so. “You must not drink very often, Mrs. Hadley.”
“Almost never,” Christina admitted.
Madison smirked. One who does not drink often will behave most interestingly when drunk.
Suddenly, she was seized by an impulse to see Christina drunk.
After several glasses, Christina began to feel dizzy.
Intoxication by wines of that nature would start off slow as the aftereffects built up into a powerful kick.
She sipped less than half of another glass, then handed Nathaniel the rest. “I can’t drink–hic–anymore.”
Christina’s voice was soft. Her ruddy cheeks were puffed up, and her large eyes were slightly red. She looked adorable.
Nathaniel took the glass from her and set it aside. “That’s enough for tonight.”
She had downed the wine as if it were grape juice. He was worried for her, as it had only taken three glasses to get her drunk.
Christina stood up and stumbled toward the door. “I’m going to the ladies‘ room.”
Still worried, Nathaniel ordered a female server to accompany her. Then, he turned to Sebastian. “Get the
bill.”
“Right away,” said Sebastian before exiting.
Suddenly, only two people were left in the private room.
Madison gazed at Nathaniel. She was unable to discern any emotion in his glacial features.
She downed her glass and, mustering her courage, stood up.
She was a young woman of about twenty–five. Her consistent self–care and training regimes had whipped. her figure and confidence into excellent shape.
Madison thought she deserved to stand beside Nathaniel as his equal, given what she had to offer.
She leaned closer. Her voice lost some of the professionalism it had in the office and instead sounded meek like Christina’s. “I’m feeling a little dizzy after the drinks. Could you send me home?”
To remain close to Nathaniel, Madison had moved to a luxury condominium in his vicinity.
“Sebastian will send you,” Nathaniel replied bluntly.
Even during a casual meal, Sebastian, the consummate professional, never drank on the job without permission.
Madison was disappointed. I could not have hinted any less subtly, yet Nathaniel still turned me down.
“A man with your success will need a woman who helps you instead of one who burdens you for everything, Mr. Hadley.”
With my skills, I can provide Nathaniel with all the assistance he needs to take his legacy to greater heights. Why would he lower himself for Christina, who doesn’t know a damn thing, than to even spare me a second glance?
Nathaniel’s chiseled features remained cold and unmoving. “I like her, and that’s all that matters.”
It doesn’t matter how capable she is or what she looks like.
Madison stared at the cold and handsome face. Just like that, he rejected all of my love in the cruelest manner. There is nothing more I want than to leap into his arms, kiss him, and tell him I love him, but I cannot. Another mistake and I’ll be out of the position by his side for as long as I live.
Christina returned that moment.
She was quite drunk. She could not even walk straight.
After a short stumble, she fell ungraciously into Nathaniel’s arms. The fall made her even dizzier.
Clenching her fists, she pounded his chest and grumbled, “What are your muscles made of? Steel? They hurt like hell!”
Nathaniel gazed at the demure woman in his arms and caressed her hair. “You’re drunk. I’m bringing you home.”
Bending over, he picked Christina up and left.
Madison watched the pair depart, her gaze filled with envy. Her heart seared painfully as if it had been stabbed.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
She picked up, irritated. “Didn’t I tell you to never call me again?”
In her dressing room, Emilia was holding a bag of ice to her swollen right cheek, tears streaming down her face. “Christina found out what we did. Because of her, I have taken a dozen slaps to the face tonight.”
Her face was comically swollen. It pained her to even talk.
After mulling it over, she decided she would not suffer the indignity alone.
Madison sneered, “So what? I told you, don’t ever contact me.”
“You’re a part of this too. Don’t you dare think you can dismiss me so easily.” Then, Emilia decided to go all in. “If you hang me out to dry, I will see Mr. Hadley tomorrow and tell him everything about you! I’ll tell him what a vicious woman his assistant is. We’ll see if he keeps you by his side!”
Emilia projected the pain of her humiliation onto Madison. If I’m going down, I’ll drag you with me!
Madison shook with anger.
How dare this goddamn woman threaten me? Even if Nathaniel won’t believe the words of a nobody, his suspicions will undoubtedly be roused.
“What is it that you want?” she asked after thinking it through.
Emilia smiled. She had gotten what she wanted.
“I know about the new beverage Hadley Corporation is preparing to launch, and I want to be its ambassador. I’m sure such a small request is easy for the assistant to the CEO.”
Madison thought scornfully of the scheming woman but did not turn her down. “Fine. I’ll take care of it.”
“Then I’ll wait for your good news.”
Emilia hung up in satisfaction.
Madison, on the other hand, was livid. “Who do you think you are?” she fumed. “A third–rate actress trying to be a spokesperson for Hadley Corporation?”
She put her phone away, deeply regretting her choice of her partner.
After getting the bill, Sebastian returned to the private room to send Madison home just in time to hear every word she said from outside the door.
Although he did not know who Madison had spoken to on the phone, he was certain they had something on her; she would not have given in to the demand otherwise.
He had once heard Madison suggest making Simone Taggert, a cousin of hers in the entertainment industry, the spokesperson.
Madison walked out when the servers entered to clear the table.
As their eyes met, Sebastian began, “Mr. Hadley asked me to send you back.”
“Thank you.” I did have too much to drink. It would not be safe for me to return home on my own.
The pair entered the car, and Sebastian drove off.
