Chapter 8 She’s Filthy

“It has been a long time, Madison.” The young man smiled gently as he walked toward them. He was Rowena’s brother, Ian. Ian stretched out his hand and petted Madison’s head. “It seems like you’ve become even prettier than the last time I saw you. Here, this is a gift for you.” Ian had watched Madison grow up and treated her like his sister. He stuffed a beautifully wrapped gift box into Madison's hand without hesitation. “This isn't fair, Ian! You gave Madison a gift as soon as you saw her? What about me? Where's my gift?” asked Rowena. “I knew you’d ask for a gift from me as well, so I’ve already put it in your room.” Ian scratched Rowena’s nose and took his seat. Holding the hefty and beautifully wrapped gift box in her hands, Madison fell into silence. It had been a long time since she received a gift from others. However… “Ian, I can’t take this…” “Why not? I know everything that happened, Madison. If it weren't because I wasn't there and Rowena couldn't convince our father, you wouldn't have…” A hint of sadness crossed Ian’s handsome face, and he came to a pause. After a short while, he continued. “Anyway, let’s not talk about that anymore. In any case, treat this as a gift that I gave you to celebrate you for joining my sister’s studio. You have to take it.” Rowena chimed in and said, “That’s right. My brother is your brother. You weren’t like this in the past, Madison. You’ve got to take the gift.” Madison had no other choice but to take the gift. “Oh yeah, do you have a boyfriend now, Madison?” asked Rowena. She had always wanted to fix her brother up with her best friend, but unfortunately, nothing had happened between them over the years. “I…” Madison froze for a moment and bit her lips. As Allen's stern face appeared in her mind, she said, “I’m not going to start a relationship before my mother is treated.” ‘Forgive me, Ian, Rowena. Please forgive me for lying to you. I can’t tell you the truth yet.’ Madison could not bring herself to tell them that she was married to a man whom she had known for less than a day. “So, that means you don’t have a boyfriend now. Well, that’s great to hear… No, I mean, yeah, you should probably focus on your mother first. You can always find a boyfriend after your mother has fully recovered. Anyway, let’s dig in. Ian, what are you still waiting for? Hurry up and get the drink for Madison.” The atmosphere on the table became lively again. Madison did not know about Rowena’s thoughts. She just heaved a sigh of relief that her friend did not press the matter on. The smile on her face deepened as she talked to Rowena and Ian about the old days. It was just that she did not know if she was hallucinating or not… She felt a chill down her spine as if someone was looking intently at her from somewhere toward the end of their meal. - Ian sent both of them back to the studio after finishing their meal. Even though Rowena was her best friend, Madison treated her work seriously and went all out. She spent her entire afternoon in the studio, and by the time she raised her head up to check the clock, it was almost 7:00 p.m. “Oh, sh*t!” Madison’s heart skipped a beat, and she hastily packed up her stuff. “Rowie, I need to go now. I'll take these back to finish them and bring them to you tomorrow.” “It’s okay. You don’t have to rush it. Why don’t we go and have dinner first? Then, we can go to look for my brother…” Before Rowena could finish her sentence, she saw Madison’s receding figure. ‘This is strange… Her mother is in the hospital, and she lives alone. Why is she in such a hurry to get back?’ thought Rowena. - “I’m sorry for coming back late, Mr. Whitlock.” Madison pushed the door open and saw Allen sitting on the couch with a dark expression on his face. His displeasure etched harsh lines on his face, and Madison’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at the clock. It was 7:32 p.m. She was two minutes late. “I… I was working late today and didn't realize how late it was,” explained Madison. Luckily, she had bought some takeout from downstairs before coming back. Although the food from that restaurant was expensive and cost her nearly all the money she had with her, at the very least, Allen would be able to accept their food. “I promise there will be no next time. Just wait for a moment, Mr. Whitlock. Dinner will be ready in a moment.” After that, she lowered her head as Allen's piercing gaze made her feel uncomfortable. She grabbed the lunch boxes tighter in her hands and hurriedly walked past him. However, just when she passed behind the couch, Allen grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her over. “Ugh…” She winced in pain, and those lunch boxes nearly fell out of her hands. Before she could say anything, Allen’s apathetic voice sounded above her. “You were working late? Do you think I believe in your bullsh*t?” His handsome face suddenly became bigger in her vision, and he grabbed her wrist even tighter. He was condescendingly looking at her, his eyes filled with disgust. Madison did not know why Allen had to look at her like that. Forcing the pain away, she explained, “I… I was really working. I just got a new job today. It’s at—” “Job? What kind of job requires you to work overtime at a fancy restaurant like the Falard?” Allen interrupted her coldly. He did not believe that she could find any real job in just one day. It seemed to him that she was using this as an excuse to go out and enjoy the day. Madison raised her head in surprise and asked, “How did you know I was there?” The Falard was the restaurant where she and Rowena had lunch together today. Allen thought she was lying to him when he saw the surprised look on her face. His face fell, and he hissed in anger, “So, what you call working overtime was eating and drinking at the most expensive restaurant in Jenova? Or do you actually work there as a high-class escort for those men in the restaurant? I believe that you got all this food back from your ‘working place’ as well, right?” Allen glanced coldly at her and had the urge to tear that innocent look off her face. She did not look this pure and innocent when she had been leaning on the man's shoulder in the restaurant today. “You just never feel satisfied, right, Madison? You really are the filthiest woman I’ve ever seen in my life.” Even though he had a magnetic and good voice, the words that came out of his lips were harsh and cruel. Then, he flung her hand away and knocked the lunch boxes she had bought with a lot of money onto the floor. The sauce of the food flowed all over the floor, filling the room with their aroma. Madison parted her lips open. She wanted to say something, but no words could come out of her lips. She was aware Allen looked down on her, but she never thought that it was to such an extent! ‘A high-class escort? The filthiest woman he’s ever seen… Heh…’ It fell silent for a few seconds. After a short while, Madison squatted in front of Allen. She lowered her head and started to pick the food up from the floor. As she picked them, she said softly, “You’re right, Mr. Whitlock. I’m a filthy woman. Didn’t you already know about that? So, why do you have to get so angry? You haven’t had your dinner yet, right? All of this food can’t be eaten anymore, so why don’t I go to the kitchen and whip something up for you?”