As expected, Caiden never caused trouble for Madelynn again.

At Infinity Entertainment, the earlier incident involving Louis was also quietly brushed aside, as if nothing had ever happened.

On the surface, everything returned to its usual rhythm. The partnership between Infinity Entertainment and the Dawson Group continued without interruption. Since Abby had taken over the project, Madelynn had to accept one of Abby's projects.

The moment Madelynn opened the project files, however, she understood immediately—Abby had deliberately set her up.

The client was Randy Wallace, in his forties, divorced three times, and infamous in the industry for his inappropriate behavior toward female producers. Abby clearly didn't want to deal with him herself, so she pushed the responsibility onto her instead.

Yet refusing was not an option.

After the previous project fallout, Madelynn knew Danny would not tolerate her rejecting another assignment.

So, despite everything, she agreed to meet Randy over a meal.

Randy chose the time himself, seven in the evening.

The place was an upscale restaurant with elegantly named private rooms. The one they were assigned was called "Pattering Rain."

Within ten minutes of sitting down, Madelynn already knew—Randy wasn't here to discuss business.

Randy leaned back comfortably as he poured her a drink, his gaze lingering on her longer than appropriate.

"Miss Douglas, you really are impressive for your age," he said smoothly. "No wonder Infinity Entertainment is doing so well with someone like you around."

"Thank you," Madelynn replied evenly, gently sliding the glass aside. "But I can't drink much. Let me just have something nonalcoholic."

Randy's smile thinned slightly. "Not drinking is the same as refusing my respect."

"Then I'll pour some drink for you instead," she said calmly, "as my way of showing you my respect."

For a brief moment, Randy's expression hardened before he put a smile back onto his face. "Alright. You've got quite the personality. I like that."

For the next forty minutes, Madelynn maintained a polished, professional smile as well as she could.

Whenever Randy attempted to shift the conversation into something more personal, she smoothly redirected it back to the project.

In the end, the contract stayed unsigned, with Randy saying he still needed time to "think it over."

By the time Madelynn stepped out of the restaurant, it was already twenty past ten.

She could still catch the last subway if she hurried.

Randy quickly followed her out. "Miss Douglas," he said, "let me give you a ride."

"No need for that," Madelynn replied. "I'll take a taxi back."

"At this hour?" Randy chuckled. "You'll have a hard time getting a taxi. I'm heading in your direction anyway."

Before she could refuse again, he had already opened the passenger door of his car. "Or is it that you think my car isn't good enough for you?" he asked teasingly.

Madelynn's eyes briefly landed on the black Mercedes.

For a moment, an image surfaced in her mind—that night, the black luxury car, and the man who had once felt close yet now so distant.

Madelynn exhaled softly and eventually got inside the car.

"Thank you, Mr. Wallace."

Ten minutes into the drive, something felt wrong. The route was unfamiliar.

"This isn't the way to Infinity Entertainment," Madelynn said.

"I'm taking you somewhere nice," Randy replied with an easy laugh. "Relax."

Madelynn's grip tightened on her phone. "I have an early meeting tomorrow. I need to get back soon."

"Meetings can wait," Randy said, turning the car toward a narrow side street. The road ahead grew darker and quieter, far from the main traffic. "You're still young," he continued casually. "There's no need to bury yourself in work all the time. Life has far more enjoyable things to offer."

Soon after, the vehicle came to a stop in front of an abandoned industrial building. Randy killed the engine, and the silence that followed felt heavy.

Madelynn immediately reached for the door handle. But it didn't move. It was locked.

"What are you doing, Mr. Wallace?" Her voice turned sharp.

Randy didn't respond right away. Instead, he unbuckled his seatbelt and slowly turned toward her.

The dim interior light washed over his face, stripping away the polished image he had maintained and exposing something far less civilized underneath.

"When Danny handed this project to you, you should've understood what kind of arrangement this is," he said flatly, leaning closer. "In this industry, nothing comes free. If you want opportunities, you have to be willing to pay for them."

Madelynn moved back slightly, her back pressed against the car door, keeping some distance between them.

"You've misunderstood me. I'm not that kind of person."

Randy let out a cold laugh. "Please. I've worked with enough people like you to know better. Stop putting on an act. Or are you trying to negotiate for something more from me?"

Before she could reply, his hand landed on her knee.

For a split second, Madelynn's mind went completely blank.

She then shoved him away and reached for the door lock.

The sudden force knocked Randy off balance, and his expression twisted in anger. He grabbed her hair and yanked her back violently.

"You're asking for trouble!" he spat.

His hand then swung toward her face, trying to hit her.

Madelynn dodged at the last second, but his nails still scraped across her cheek.

Cursing under his breath, Randy grabbed her collar and slammed her head against the window.

Pain exploded through her head.

Her hand instinctively reached for the door switch.

With a click, it unlocked, and she fell out of the car, hitting the ground hard. Her elbow scraped painfully against the rough surface.

Randy stepped out after her. She fumbled on the ground, found a brick, and raised her arm.

But then, before she could act, her wrist was caught mid-air. The grip was firm yet steady, the hand warm and unmistakably familiar.

"It's me," a voice said quietly.

Madelynn's breath caught instantly. Tears blurred her vision, making everything indistinct.

She couldn't see the person's face clearly in the dark, only a shadow standing between her and danger.

But she knew that voice.

Caiden pulled her to her feet, took the brick from her hand without a word, and tossed it aside.

He didn't look at her. His attention stayed fixed entirely on Randy.

Randy's face went pale the instant he recognized Caiden.

"Mr... Mr. Dawson..."

Caiden didn't respond.

He remained where he was, one hand still steadying Madelynn by the arm. In the dim light, his expression was hard to read, but his silence alone was enough to suffocate any courage Randy had left.

"You've got three seconds," he said coldly. "Get lost."

Randy didn't hesitate. He scrambled back into his car in panic. The engine started violently, and the black vehicle soon sped off down the alley. Its taillights disappeared completely into the night.

The space fell into heavy silence.

Only then did Caiden let go of Madelynn's wrist.

Madelynn leaned against the wall, head lowered, trying to steady her breathing. Pain throbbed through her elbow, where blood had already begun to run down her skin and drip onto the ground.

Caiden looked at her quietly.

He didn't ask anything.

Instead, he took out a dark gray handkerchief from his pocket, one she immediately recognized.

Even the scent brought back a memory she hadn't expected to surface.

It felt like nothing had changed.

Caiden pressed the cloth gently over the wound on her elbow.

Madelynn instinctively recoiled.

"Stay still," he said, his eyes lowered. His movements were controlled and careful.

The fabric darkened almost immediately as it soaked up blood. For a brief moment, his brows tightened.

Madelynn suddenly felt tears gathering in her eyes again.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Caiden replied, "I was just passing through."

"This route doesn't lead to downtown."

Caiden's hand paused slightly at that.

"I followed you here," he admitted after a beat. "I saw you leave the restaurant."

Madelynn went quiet.

After a few minutes of steady pressure, the bleeding slowed.

Caiden's gaze shifted to the bruise near her temple. His expression darkened slightly.

"Anywhere else hurt?" he asked.

"No."

Caiden didn't believe her.

His eyes lingered on her face for a few seconds longer before drifting to the edge of her coat, where a box of stomach medicine was partially visible.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes."

"When?"

Madelynn didn't answer.

Caiden didn't push further. He lowered his eyes, refolded the handkerchief, now stained dark, and put it away.

"Can you walk?" he asked.

"Yeah."

With that, Madelynn tried to take a step, but her legs gave out beneath her.

Caiden caught her before she could hit the ground.

For a brief moment, he didn't move, as if weighing something unspoken. Then, he bent slightly, slid one arm behind her shoulders and the other beneath her knees, and lifted her cleanly off the ground.

"Caiden—"

"Don't move," he interjected.

He carried her toward the exit of the alley.

Madelynn stopped resisting.

She rested against him instead, the tension slowly leaving her body.

That familiar scent of his reached her again—pine, cool and crisp, like snow settling on a quiet winter morning.

Her eyes closed, and just for a moment, she let herself rest.

Madelynn had drifted off without realizing it, and when she finally stirred awake, she found herself in Caiden's car, which had already stopped at the hospital entrance.

"I'm really okay," she said on instinct, trying to decline, but Caiden didn't give her the chance. He lifted her into his arms without hesitation and walked straight into the emergency department.

The rest of her protest got stuck in her throat.

"I can walk on my own." She tried again after a pause.

But Caiden didn't respond and continued forward as if he hadn't heard her at all.

From wound cleaning and dressing to X-rays and a tetanus injection, Caiden remained present the entire time. He didn't engage in conversation, didn't step away, just stood near the doorway of each room like a fixed shadow keeping watch.

When the doctor began disinfecting her injuries, the sting made Madelynn inhale sharply.

Caiden immediately shifted forward.

The doctor looked between them and said to him, "Are you her family? Come hold her hand."

Without a word, Caiden walked over and took Madelynn's hand.

Madelynn stiffened.

His palm was warm as it enveloped her blood-stained hand, holding it as if it were a fragile treasure.

She barely felt any pain after that.

By the time everything was finished, it was well past midnight.

At the hospital exit, Madelynn paused beside Caiden's car.

"Thanks for tonight," she said quietly.

"It's nothing," Caiden replied evenly.

Madelynn hesitated for a moment. "About Randy... will this affect Infinity Entertainment?"

"No."

Caiden's answer was immediate and final.

Madelynn didn't ask why. "Alright. I'll head back now. My mom is still waiting for me."

Caiden just looked at her.

A strip of gauze covered her forehead, and her elbow was secured in fresh bandaging. Her complexion had turned pale from losing blood. Even so, she held herself upright, her eyes unwavering, as though nothing could break her.

At that moment, he suddenly asked, "What about Isaac?"

He had kept the question bottled up all night, and now, it finally broke free.

Four years ago, she had walked out of his life without a backward glance—for Isaac Curtis.

For years, he had believed she had gotten together with Isaac and had been living in comfort. He had never imagined he would find her like this—reduced to such a miserable state.

The question clearly caught Madelynn off guard.

"He left the country," she answered after a pause. "He visited me once before leaving. We haven't been in contact since."

Caiden said nothing in response.

"Four years ago..." Madelynn began, only to trail off.

She studied his expression, as if hoping to find a sign that could allow her to continue.

But Caiden just stood there, motionless, like a figure carved from stone.

Madelynn forced back the words she had almost spoken.

"I'll go inside now... and thank you, again."

With that, she turned and made her way slowly toward the inpatient wing.

She never glanced back.

And because of that, she missed the fact that Caiden remained there long after she disappeared from view.

True to expectation, Randy didn't stir up any problems for Infinity Entertainment.

Still, the project was quietly reassigned to someone else.

After Madelynn lost two projects in a row, Danny arranged for her to head to Avlester to supervise a production.

She had just arrived in Avlester and hadn't even stepped onto the set when Margot Sullivan's assistant, Paula Blake, hurried her into the dressing room.

"Madelynn, you need to see this. Look at Margot's face!"

Margot was seated at the vanity, one side of her face visibly swollen. A vivid handprint was imprinted across her cheek.

As soon as she noticed Madelynn, she turned her face aside instinctively, avoiding eye contact.

Madelynn inhaled deeply in shock. "Who did this to you?"

"It's Lacey," Paula answered, clearly furious. "It was a slap scene. They reshot it nineteen times, and she hit Margot hard every single time."

Margot dropped her gaze. "I wasn't doing it right; it's not really her fault."

"If your performance needed work, she could've guided you or requested another take. That doesn't justify hitting you so hard every time," Madelynn said, eyes fixed on Margot's swollen face. "Can this be concealed by makeup?"

From the side, the makeup artist replied cautiously, "I can hide it for now, but she still has three scenes left today. If this continues..."

Madelynn didn't respond. She simply turned and headed out.

Paula rushed after her. "Madelynn, where are you going?"

"To see Lacey."

Lacey Holt was working with Unit A and finished her scene in a single take, prompting the director to call cut. She took the thermos from her assistant, then lifted her eyes and noticed Madelynn standing near the monitor.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Douglas," she said, sipping leisurely. "I thought you were taken off this project. What brings you back?"

"Why did you do that to Margot?" Madelynn asked.

Lacey placed the thermos aside, her expression turning innocent. "We were shooting a scene. The director wanted realism, so I was just doing my job."

"The director needed only one proper take, but you dragged it out to nineteen."

"Because her acting was awful." Lacey's smile faded. "Is this the best you could train? She breaks down at the slightest thing—no professionalism at all."

Madelynn met her gaze. "If you're dissatisfied, you can discuss the matter properly. Replace her if you must. But bringing your personal feelings onto the set and slapping her nineteen times—that's called workplace bullying."

At that, Lacey's expression shifted instantly.

"And who exactly do you think you are to lecture me?" Lacey snapped back.

"I'm the executive producer," Madelynn replied firmly.

Lacey faltered, her response dying in her throat.

Abby's voice rang out from behind them. "Impressive. Throwing your weight around like that, Madelynn."

She approached in measured steps, heels clicking, and stopped beside Lacey, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "Shame this isn't your project anymore. Mr. Willis made that very clear—you've been replaced, and I'm in charge now. So what exactly gives you the right to call the shots here?"

Madelynn met her gaze head-on. "I'm doing this as Margot's friend. Is that good enough for you?"

Abby laughed hard. "Friend? That's quite the claim. You're just an employee trying to latch onto a celebrity; do you really think she considers you as a friend?"

At that moment, Margot stepped forward through the crowd and took her place beside Madelynn. "She is my friend."

Abby's face went rigid at once.

One by one, people began to gather around them—the script supervisor, lighting crew, and even a couple of supporting actors. Each of them had, at one point or another, been on the receiving end of Lacey's deliberate or subtle mistreatment.

Not a single person said anything.

They simply stood there.

The shift in Abby's expression was impossible to miss.

Right in the middle of the tense silence, Louis' voice cut through the air. "What's with the delay? Are we shooting today or not?"

He pushed his way forward, and the moment his eyes landed on Madelynn, his brows drew together. "You again?"

Madelynn paid him no attention and continued addressing Abby, saying, "I've already arranged for someone to retrieve the behind-the-scenes footage. If Lacey doesn't provide Margot with a written apology before the day is over, I'll be sending the full, unedited recording directly to the Dawson Group's legal department on behalf of Infinity Entertainment. Since this is their production, I assume they won't mind stepping in to resolve the matter, right?"

Abby faltered. "You wouldn't—"

"Feel free to test that," Madelynn interjected calmly.

Louis quickly grasped the situation.

His gaze shifted from Lacey to Margot's swollen cheek, and his expression darkened.

"Did you do this?" he asked Lacey.

Lacey visibly panicked. "Mr. Barrett, just let me explain—"

"Answer the question. Did you do this or not?" Louis cut her off.

Lacey fell silent, not daring to respond.

Louis said nothing for a few seconds, then muttered a curse under his breath.

When he looked back at Madelynn, the usual mockery in his tone had disappeared for the first time.

"The Dawson Group will cover all of Margot's medical expenses," he said.

Madelynn didn't reply.

Louis lingered for a brief moment before turning and walking away.

Abby and Lacey followed behind him, their expressions stiff with embarrassment.

The crowd slowly dispersed.

Meanwhile, Margot remained beside Madelynn, her eyes rimmed red. "Madelynn..."

"It's alright now," Madelynn said, giving her shoulder a light pat. "Go put some ice on your cheek."

Margot nodded, but after taking a few steps, she turned back again. "Madelynn, you mentioned before that Louis and Caiden know each other personally."

"Yeah."

"Then... is that why he helped us just now?"

Madelynn didn't answer.

Her thoughts drifted to the message Jed had sent her the night before.

It was brief.

"Mr. Dawson said you can continue your work in Avlester. He'll take care of Louis."

She hadn't replied.

It seemed Caiden had already taken care of things with Louis.

As evening set in, a light rain began to fall.

Madelynn left the set without an umbrella, wandering down the street without any clear destination.

She didn't feel like returning to the hotel. She didn't want to sit alone there.

Her thoughts were tangled and restless.

It had been four years. She had believed she was used to handling everything on her own by now.

But standing there earlier, in the middle of that confrontation, she had suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion.

It wasn't a feeling she experienced often anymore.

The last time she felt that had been four years ago, when she stood in front of Caiden and said, "The contract is over. Let's end things peacefully."

She had never forgotten the look in his eyes that day.

It was cold as ice.

She had always believed he hated her.

Maybe he did.

But why had he appeared in that alley the other night? And why had he asked Jed to pass along that message to her?

Could it be that he still hadn't broken the habit of helping her? Just like before.

The rainfall intensified, turning steadier and harsher.

Madelynn stepped beneath a roadside bus stop to dodge it, resting against the advertisement panel as she gazed absentmindedly through the veil of rain.

Her phone rang suddenly with a call from an unfamiliar number, and she picked it up.

"Madelynn." Caiden's voice came through the line.

Madelynn stiffened in place. "Caiden?"

A short silence followed from the other end of the line.

"Where are you?" Caiden finally asked.

Madelynn glanced around instinctively. "Avlester. Why?"

"Send me your location."

"What?"

The call abruptly disconnected.

Madelynn looked at her phone screen, momentarily unsure what to do.

After a long three minutes, she finally sent Caiden her location.

The second she hit send, she felt a bit foolish.

Why had she complied so easily just because he asked?

Acting on impulse, she quickly retracted the message.

Almost immediately, Caiden replied, "Already saw it."

A wave of awkwardness settled over Madelynn.

She slipped her phone back into her pocket.

The rain eased slightly, yet she remained where she was. She wasn't even sure what she was waiting for.

About twenty minutes later, a black car came to a stop beside the bus stop.

The car window slid down.

Caiden sat behind the wheel, his gaze landing on her through the curtain of rain. "Get in."

Madelynn didn't move. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I had a meeting nearby in the afternoon."

"A meeting that went on until now?"

Caiden gave no response.

They held each other's gaze for a brief moment before Madelynn finally reached for the door and got in.

The interior of the car was warm, carrying that familiar pine scent.

Caiden started the car without another word. He didn't ask why she had been standing alone there or why she looked so drained. He simply drove. The only sound was the steady sweep of the wipers cutting across the windshield.

Madelynn leaned back against the seat, her eyes drifting toward the blurred city lights outside.

"Thanks for today," she said after a while.

"What do you mean?"

"For handling Louis."

Caiden gave a quiet nod in response, offering nothing more.

Silence settled between them again.

Then, out of nowhere, Madelynn spoke, her voice quiet, almost distant. "Four years ago, when I left..."

Caiden's grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

"It wasn't because of Isaac," Madelynn continued.

She kept her eyes forward, not looking at him. "Back then, your mother came to see me."

The rhythmic sound of the wipers continued, the only thing breaking the stillness.

Caiden said nothing.

Madelynn waited for a moment, then let out a faint laugh. "Forget it. That was all in the past anyway."

She shut her eyes.

Caiden didn't press her further, and she offered no more explanation, either.

Four years had gone by, long enough that neither of them knew how to begin to talk about this topic anymore.