The Bennet Scandal

The Tension That Binds

Gabriel was sitting in his office chair, scrolling through social media, when a video caught his attention. The video had the caption, "Sophia Bennet has joined hands with Gabriela and is all set to become his business partner." Gabriel read the caption, and his mind reeled.

"What the hell is this?" he muttered, clicking to play the video.

As it started, he saw Sophia sitting on the sofa in his drawing room, surrounded by reporters firing questions at her. In response to one question, Sophia said, "Gabriel has offered me to join his office, and we are going to sign a partnership contract."

The reporter pressed, "So, you're going to work with your father's rival?"

Sophia replied confidently, "He is a rival of my dad... but I love him, and he loves me... so we have decided to live our lives and leave everyone else aside." She flashed a beaming smile, exuding confidence.

Gabriel realized the video had been recorded yesterday in his house, and no one had bothered to inform him about it. He was lost in a mix of anger and disbelief when the door to his office swung open.

Gabriel looked up to see Sophia enter, dressed in a sleek black coat over a powder pink silk shirt.

"You..." he said, rising from his chair.

The anger surged through him.

"Yes, it's me," Sophia replied, her voice steady.

"How dare you come here?" he demanded, his voice loud.

"And who gave you permission to call the media into my house and hold a press conference?" she shot back.

"I don't need anyone's permission," Sophia said with a teasing smile. "A few weeks ago, you did a press conference without telling me... and yesterday, I did the same thing."

"I'm going to fire the entire staff for letting you do this without my permission!" he yelled.

"Do as you please... but before that, sign this contract and make me managing director of your company," Sophia said, her expression turning serious.

"I would never do that," Gabriel replied.

He wanted to throw her out of his office, but he knew he couldn't do that without risking his reputation.

"Then I'll hold another press conference and won't stop until I smear your name to ashes," Sophia threatened, her tone filled with determination.

"How shameless are you?" Gabriel said, clenching his fists.

"I know," she replied, locking eyes with him.

"You think I'd let you get involved in my business? This isn't charity, Sophia. It's cutthroat."

"Exactly," she shot back, her determination shining through. "I want to keep a hold on your life and business... so that you wouldn't dare to harm me."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at her, though a hint of a smile played on his lips. "You're bold, I'll give you that."

"I am leaving this contract file with you... Sign it or I would call a press conference where I would share details of our affair and closeness... so, think wisely." Sophia said placed the file on a nearby table and went away.

Gabriel looked at the closed door and then picked up the file and threw it on the floor.

"I will kill Luke, he made me bring her to my life and now she is engulfing my peace and everything else that is left." He said underlips.

He knew he had no other option but to sign the contract or the lies of Sophia Bennet would go public and remnants of his name and reputation would go to dust.