The Bennet Scandal

A Dangerous Game

The summit had ended, proving to be a productive and insightful event. Sophia made a few new acquaintances that would be beneficial for her professional career. Throughout the summit, she had intentionally ignored Gabriel, keeping busy with other attendees. But now, she found herself at the after-party held in a lavish villa.

As she looked around, the atmosphere was electric, and the party was in full swing. Spotting Gabriel standing with a group of businessmen, wine glass in hand, she muttered under her breath, "He's already here." She glanced toward Jake and Linda, who had effortlessly slipped into the crowd, chatting up potential business partners and mingling with the industry's elite.

Taking a deep breath, Sophia hoped the night would distract her from the lingering thoughts of Gabriel Westbrook that had haunted her since the summit began. She settled at the bar, swirling the wine in her glass, attempting to lose herself in the rhythm of the evening. Despite having downed a few drinks, her thoughts about Gabriel, the man she desperately wanted to hate, clung to her like a shadow. Her father had warned her countless times about Gabriel Westbrook, their family's biggest business rival—ruthless, cunning, and intent on tearing their family legacy apart.

Yet, as much as she wanted to despise him, her heart refused to listen. Every time she saw him, there was something more than rivalry—something she couldn't quite articulate. A magnetic pull that made her question everything she thought she knew.

With another glass of wine, the buzz in her head softened the hard edges of reality. She could feel her inhibitions slipping away with each sip. Her thoughts drifted back to Gabriel—the way his dark eyes had lingered on her when their paths crossed earlier that evening, the tension in his voice during their last conversation, and how, despite everything, he seemed to care.

"Why can't I hate him?" Sophia muttered to herself, frustration bubbling up. "He's ruining my family, and here I am... thinking about him."

The music thumped in the background, and the room spun slightly as the alcohol coursed through her system. Dizziness washed over her, not just from the wine, but from the internal conflict raging within her. She stood up from the bar, her vision slightly blurred, but her mind locked onto one thing: Gabriel.

As she wandered through the crowded villa, her eyes locked on him, standing by the pool, deep in conversation with someone. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she wanted to turn around and walk away. But something inside her—maybe it was the wine—propelled her forward.

Without thinking, she made her way over to him, her breath shallow, emotions swirling like a storm ready to break. Gabriel turned, sensing her presence even before she reached him. His eyes widened slightly when he saw her.

"You," he said, his voice calm but surprised. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

But before he could say more, Sophia grabbed his arm, tighter than he expected, and without a word, pulled him toward a secluded corner where no one was watching.

"Whoa, hey! What are you doing?" Gabriel said, trying to keep up with her, the shock clear in his tone.

"Who are you?"

Sophia spun around to face him, her eyes burning with a mix of anger and something else—something he couldn't quite place. In the dim light, recognition finally dawned on his face.

"Sophia? What the hell's going on?"

His confusion hung in the air as she stared back at him, breathless and furious. This wasn't the cool, composed Sophia he was used to. This was something different, something raw. And it unnerved him. Her lips parted, and she struggled to find the right words, but the alcohol was loosening her tongue.