Chapter 17

Madeline could feel a hint of threat in his sentence, as if he wanted to bind her together with him for the rest of their lives.

But that was impossible, right?

There was no way Lancelot Grant, an heir of an aristocratic family, would want to marry a controversial homewrecker like her.

So she simply giggled as she took it as a joke. "I don't understand, Mr. Grant. Don't you think it's an idiotic move to keep hiring me forever? Your future wife will be jealous," Madeline said. "Besides, once my career really took off, I don't think you want to associate yourself with me anymore because my infamy might be too much for you to handle."

Lance laughed with her as if he was playing around with the idea, "You seem to underestimate the depth of my connections, Madeline," he said. "But that's okay. Just say yes to the last requirement, and you're ready to sign it."

"If I say yes to the last requirement, does that mean I won't be able to date anyone until you break our contract?" Madeline asked.

"Naturally," Lance replied. "Why would you need another man anyway? Tell me what you want, and I will make it yours."

"Oh, you're so bold, Mr. Grant. You must've been very good at pillow talk," Madeline sneered, knowing this man's sweet lips were not to be trusted.

"Do you want to try it?" Lance asked suggestively. "Let's find out if I'm good at pillow talk or not."

"Surely, you're joking, Mr. Grant," Madeline chuckled. She rested her head on his chest, feeling his warmth as she began to familiarize herself with him. "Fine, I agree with your last requirement. I'm sure you'll be the first to annul it anyway," Madeline said. 

"Let's see about that, shall we?" Lance teased as his hand gently went down around her thighs instead. 

Madeline felt a wave of desire begin to sweep her heart. She knew this man wasn't serious, and what they were doing right now was more of a practice as they had to look convincing in front of his family.

But the imagination of being loved and spoiled by a responsible and powerful man surely messed up her brain. 

Madeline began to fantasize about a good life where she didn't need to face constant hatred because of her infamy.

All she wanted was security and to be loved wholeheartedly by a good man. 

She also wanted to be embraced like this, spending time without having to worry about money, and go on trips where she didn't need to hide because she was afraid people would sneer at her presence. 

'If only I could get a good man for myself. Someone like this man, but not him, because I know this is all just a business between us,' Madeline thought as she slowly pulled herself out of that fantasy. 'After I provide no more use for him, he will annul the contract between us, and we can go separate ways. Maybe I'll find a good man along the way, even though the chance is really small.'

Madeline and Lance hugged for a while until Madeline gasped when she realized something thick and long had been rubbing on her butt. 

She struggled to release herself, so Lance asked, "What's wrong?"

"S—Sir, y-y-your—" Madeline stammered as she continued struggling. 

Lance chuckled and finally released the pitiful rabbit into his embrace.

Madeline quickly separated herself and took a few steps back to avoid him. She looked at Lance and saw his obvious bulge.

Lance didn't even try to hide it as if he was proud of his size, much to Madeline's shock.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Lance teased.

"Your…" Madeleine glanced down for a moment before looking away. Her face was red as a tomato. 

"It's normal. I'm a straight man who is hugging a pretty lady. It's obvious I will get hard," Lance said half-jokingly. He sat on the sofa and put the contract and pen on the coffee table. "Come and sit with me. You can read everything and then sign it."

Rather than sitting right next to Lance, Madeline decided to sit on the smaller sofa directly facing him. 

His bulge was still too obvious, especially when he was sitting, so Madeline tried her best to look away despite wanting to peek occasionally.

'Well, it looked at me first, it should be fine if I take a peek once or twice, right?' Madeline thought before she tried to dispel this perverted idea out of her mind. 

Madeline cleared her throat to calm down and said, "Before I read that contract, I have a few things I want to ask. First, will you stop sponsoring me when you annul our contract?"

"Yes," Lance replied. "You don't need to worry about it, though. You will be working with me for a long time, at least long enough for you to engrave your name in Hollywood."

"Then how about the profit sharing?"

"You take everything. I don't need your profit," Lance said. "Remember, all I want is for you to be my contractual girlfriend, nothing more, nothing less."

Madeline was relieved. She surely didn't want her money to be monopolized by Lance. It reminded her of how her father used to keep all of her hard-earned money without giving her a dime. 

"I'm sure my contract will benefit you more than it does for me," Lance said. "So, anything else?"

"I want to ask if you have a girlfriend already," Madeline asked.

Lance's gaze deepened. "And why did you ask?"

"I don't want to be a homewrecker, mistress, third-wheel, or whatever. You know my history, Mr. Grant," Madeline said. 

"Haha, I guess you're right. But don't worry. I won't let myself get entangled with another woman, at least when I have you," Lance assured. 

"Okay, that's relieving," Madeline sighed. "Lastly… why the hell did you give me a luxury car? Is that a gift, or is it something I have to pay for?" 

"That's a gift," Lance replied. "Why? You don't like it? If you want a sports car, you can pick one from my garage, or I'll introduce you to my friend. He owns the biggest showroom in L.A. You can pick any car you want there."