The Bennet Scandal

The Fall from Grace

Gabriel Westbrook sat at his elegant, minimalist desk, the unsettling silence of the room enveloping him like a heavy shroud.

"Why didn't I realize that such a mistake would bring so many bad consequences into my life?" he muttered to himself, staring blankly at the papers strewn in front of him—legal documents, cancellation notices, and a barrage of negative press clippings.

He glanced out the window of his office, watching the bustling city continue its lively rhythm, as if unaware of the storm that had just uprooted his life.

"Gabriel," Luke, his manager, said as he stepped into the office, the door creaking slightly. "We need to talk."

Gabriel's eyes flickered up, devoid of the usual fire. "More bad news?" he asked bitterly, his voice thick with exhaustion.

"Two of your deals have been called off. Investors are distancing themselves. They're concerned about the scandal," Luke said, running a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of concern and disappointment.

"Of course they are," Gabriel muttered, slamming his fist down on the desk. "Because I kissed a girl. A girl half my age. What a legacy I'm leaving behind... but my question is, what's their concern with a kiss? It should be my matter, but everyone is scrutinizing it like they have every right to."

Luke looked at Gabriel and exhaled deeply. He knew Gabriel was in the most difficult phase of his life and appeared worn and tense. "Gabriel, this is how business and reputation work side by side," Luke said in a calm, measured tone. "One mistake, and you're done. A scandal can ruin years of hard work and everything you've built."

Gabriel's eyes flashed with frustration. "It's not a scandal, Luke. It was nothing—just a weak moment, a kiss. That's it."

Luke raised an eyebrow, staying composed. "That's what you're saying, and I believe you. But outside of the two of us? No one else is going to see it that way. Everyone thinks you and that girl—Sophia—are in a romantic relationship, or worse, having an affair."

Gabriel clenched his fists. "It's not like that!"

"I know," Luke said gently. "But the rest of the world isn't interested in the truth. They're interested in the story. And right now, the story they want is you and her."

"Gabriel, we need to find a solution to rebuild your image. Your partners are saying you're a distraction to the company. They're worried about your focus." Luke tried to calm Gabriel.

"Worried? They're more worried about their reputations than mine!" Gabriel snapped, his frustration spilling over. He felt trapped in a cycle of self-recrimination and blame, caught in the web of his own choices.

"Your wife has already left you, and she's taken your daughter with her," Luke said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "You're in trouble, Gabriel."

The words hit Gabriel like a physical blow. He felt the room spin, the reality of losing his family striking deeper than any business setback.

"If she can't stand by me during this difficult time, then what's the point of having a relationship?" Gabriel said in a passive tone. "She should have trusted me and stood by my side. But instead, she's created a fuss over a small mistake."

"A small mistake?" Luke looked at him in surprise. "Gabriel, you betrayed her... and she has every right to react." Luke tried to make him understand. He had been working with Gabriel for the past twelve years and had developed a bit of friendship and frankness with him over the years.

"Betrayal?" Gabriel echoed, his voice thick with disbelief. "I didn't betray her. I was weak. And now... she has a reason to leave me."

"I need to talk to that girl—what's her name? Yes, Sophia," Gabriel said, picking up his cell phone from the table, his fingers trembling with urgency.

"Talk to Sophia? Why on earth would you do that?" Luke asked, confusion written across his face.

"She's the only one who can tell the media, Natasha, and everyone else that we're not having an affair. It was just a mistake—nothing more. She put me in this mess, and now she has to help me out of it. She has to!" Gabriel's voice cracked with desperation, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him as he dialed her number.

Luke looked at him and left the office. He didn't want to be part of such a desperate move, and he also knew that right now, Gabriel wouldn't listen to him.

After a few rings, Sophia answered, her voice heavy and shaky. "Gabriel."

"Sophia, we need to talk," he said, a mix of anger and desperation in his tone.

"What is there to talk about? You ruined my life," she said loudly, blaming Gabriel for all her suffering.

"Oh, come on, Sophia. It was you who came near me, started talking to me, and kissed me. Blame yourself, not me, for this mess! You've ruined my reputation, my family—everything!" Gabriel's voice rose with boiling anger.

"And hey, you're Bennet's daughter, right? Isn't he using you against me since we're business rivals? Don't tell me this was all planned." He continued in frustration.

"Oh, really, Gabriel? If you were so innocent, why did you kiss me back with more passion?" Sophia shot back. "Why couldn't you control yourself? I started it, but you didn't stop me, did you? You wanted this too, Gabriel. You can't play the innocent victim now."

"Victim? I've lost everything!" he yelled, anger and despair battling within him.

"Lost everything? You don't even know the meaning of that," Sophia said, her voice thick with anger. "My dad threw me out of the house because of that kiss! I don't have any money, I don't have a place to go—I'm standing out here on the street, not knowing what to do next." She added, tears welling in her eyes.

"I won't spare you or your father, I swear it!" Sophia's voice trembled with fury.

"Gabriel, you—" Before she could finish, a scream pierced through the line, cutting her off. The call abruptly disconnected.

Unable to comprehend what had just happened, Gabriel stared at his phone, disbelief washing over him.

"Go to hell," he whispered, the weight of the moment crashing down around him. He dropped the phone onto the desk, feeling hollow inside. Guilt, anger, and regret churned within him, a toxic mixture that threatened to suffocate him.

As he looked around the empty office, he realized how isolated he truly was. The deals, the family, the respect—all slipping away, leaving nothing but the echo of his mistakes.