Madeline stood on her porch, waiting for her ride from Lance Grant to come.
She was wearing a knee-length skirt and a white blouse. She also didn't wear her doll-like makeup because she thought it was unnecessary, but she kept her necessary makeup inside her bag, just in case Mr. Grant wanted her to doll up for their meeting.
She looked more like a beautiful secretary than the shameless seductress she portrayed on TV. With her natural beauty, she should've been a woman worthy of fawning from men.
Unfortunately, she had been reduced to nothing but a piece of meat for many men and a witch worthy of getting burned to death by many women.
Madeline checked her phone, as she was busy continuing her activity from last night.
She spent the whole night scrolling through the internet to find any information regarding Lance Grant and his family.
Unfortunately, Lance Grant had no social media. He kept his and his family's lives private. So she could only get a little formal information about them.
He came from the Grant Family, an old money family with deep connections. He has two brothers and one sister, and he was the second son.
"His parents have noble titles in the UK as well. I don't think things will be simple between us," Madeline mumbled as she kept reading about all the information she had gathered.
Unfortunately, she couldn't dig any deeper than just a brief introduction about this family, as if they intentionally controlled the media, so she couldn't pry too much.
She suddenly heard a honk as she got busy reading through her phone.
She looked up and saw a Rolls Royce Ghost parked in front of her house. A tall and burly man in his early fifties came out of the car.
He approached Madeline and bowed politely. "Miss Madeline Rose, I'm your driver today. Mr. Lance Grant has told me to pick you up."
Madeline stared at the driver and the car. Judging from this driver's build, he was obviously not a regular driver.
He had the build of a military man. If he wasn't a soldier, he was at least a bodyguard posing as a driver.
'Why did Lance send his bodyguard to pick me up? And what is this ultra luxury car? I have so many questions,' Madeline wondered. She also couldn't help asking the biggest question lingering in her head: "How did you know about my address?"
"Mr. Lance Grant gave me the address, Miss," the driver replied, which didn't quench her suspicion. "Please come with me. Mr. Grant is waiting in his office."
"… okay."
The driver opened the car door for her, and she sat in the backseat. She hugged her handbag, not out of worry that she might get robbed. She was just conscious that she sat in such an expensive car.
She might have been a moderately successful child singer and actress years ago, but she never experienced any kind of luxury for herself because her father controlled all of her earnings. She also came from a humble background, so sitting in this luxury car was a novel experience.
The driver checked on Madeline, who looked uncomfortable at the back, and said, "Suit yourself, Miss. This car has been recently purchased and assigned for your transportation."
Madeline's eyes widened, and then she tried to laugh dryly as she thought it was just a joke. "T—That's a good joke, Sir. I guess getting a car like this would take me forever."
"It's not a joke, Miss," the driver confirmed. "Mr. Lance Grant told me you can drive this car yourself. But if you can't, I can always find a driver for your convenience, Miss."
…
The more serious the driver looked, the more terrified Madeline got. After hearing that ridiculous claim, she didn't know what kind of response she should give.
But one thing was for sure.
If Lance Grant had actually given her such an expensive car, then she knew it wasn't for free.
He must've wanted some exchange for this expensive gift.
'And the more expensive it is, the higher the cost I have to pay,' Madeline thought. 'I have to reject this gift from him. This is too risky.'
The driver continued observing Madeline from the rearview mirror and commented, "You're different from what I expected, Miss. My daughter said that you're infamous on Social Media."
Madeline felt exposed when she wasn't wearing her dolly makeup and skimpy dress. She couldn't pretend to be a bad bitch right now, so she simply smiled and reluctantly confirmed, "Your daughter is right. I have infamy on social media right now."
"I haven't watched any of it because I'm busy with work these days, but you're definitely not the same woman that people slandered on the internet," the driver said. "At least based on my brief assessment."
"Well, I need a bit of cash, so I have to do whatever it takes to survive," Madeline said.
"Then pardon me for judging you too quickly," the driver said. "I was judging from what others see about you."
"No, it's fine, Sir. Your daughter isn't wrong either," Madeline had a depreciating smile as she knew that would be her brand for the rest of her life. "I am infamous, and I own it. There's no need to defend my actions."
The driver went quiet after that. He took a left turn to enter the Empress Entertainment office driveway.
Madeline got nervous as she felt way too exposed when she saw the main lobby full of people. 'I should've worn my mini dress and doll makeup. It feels so strange having to show myself without my makeup.'
"We're here, Miss," the driver said. "Mr. Grant has been waiting for you on the top floor. Just tell the receptionist your name."
…
"Miss Rose?"
"S—Sir, do you know what Mr. Lance Grant has in mind? Did he tell you about his plan or something?"
The driver smiled at the nervous Madeline. "Unfortunately, I don't have any information, Miss. I'm just your driver for today. But you will be just fine, as long as Lance is being honest."
That last sentence didn't help, but it seemed even the driver kept his secret in check, so Madeline had no choice but to face her paranoia.
Madeline swallowed her saliva and smiled thinly at the driver. "Thank you for driving me all the way here, Sir. May I know your name?"
"You don't need to know my name, Miss. I'm just here to watch over Lance and his brothers. Now, go. He's waiting for you," the driver said before he pressed a button, and the back door opened automatically.