"Ben… Ben!!! Ben, you need to clear what I just heard!" Don stormed in, his anger radiating through the room like wildfire.
"So you made a fool out of me? You lied to my face, Ben!" McDon's voice rose with fury, each word sharp and cutting, the weight of betrayal palpable.
"What do you mean by 'I made a fool out of you'? I have no time for this!" Ben snapped, exhaustion and frustration threading through his tone. He had endured enough.
"You had a fake contract marriage with Ella, just so you could keep running the business, didn't you?" Don pressed, his voice thick with disbelief and rage.
Ben froze, shock flickering across his face. His mind raced, how did his father get wind of the contract?
"I owe you no explanation, Dad. I did this because you forced me to. Blame yourself, not me," Ben replied, his words clipped and resolute. He refused to bow or apologize for actions he felt were necessary.
"Go ahead and tell the world I had a contract marriage. Watch me leave you and this empire you claim to have built for decades collapse without me," Ben continued, a cold edge sharpening his threat. He left no room for negotiation, no chance for his father to regain control.
Rita stood silently nearby, her plan to have Don send Ella away unraveling before her eyes. Dissatisfaction and anger churned in her chest, but she remained powerless in this moment.
McDon said nothing further. The weight of Ben's defiance forced him to step back, leaving his son to act as he pleased.
"I know you did this… I know," Ben said, turning his sharp gaze toward Rita, his voice low and dangerous.
"If not for the sake of my innocent child, you'd be gone by now. I'd strip you of everything you have, with my money," he spat, anger and protectiveness entwining in every word. With that, Ben turned and strode back to his room, leaving Rita staring after him, helpless and enraged.
The tension in the house was suffocating; v b v c the remnants of deception, betrayal, and power struggles lingering like a storm that refused to pass.
Ella cared little about the chaos. She had found a new peace in Jasper. She wasn't ready for more drama, so she stepped out, heading to Jasper's place. He was the only one who listened to her without judgment.
"Let's go for a night drive," Jasper suggested, his voice gentle, almost coaxing.
Ella hesitated at first, apprehension threading through her, but Jasper assured her safety. Trusting him, she gave in.
She hopped onto his bike, the cool breeze hitting her face as they sped through the empty streets. It was a liberating moment, one that made her feel alive again, a small spark of joy in the middle of chaos.
"Thank you… I was doubting, but this… this helped," Ella said, her smile soft, her eyes reflecting the relief and warmth she felt after the ride.
Jasper's voice was quiet, thoughtful. "Ben came here the other night, as I was getting ready to come meet you at the restaurant during our last dinner date."
"What… he did what?" Ella asked, disbelief lacing her tone. "I can't believe this. He doesn't want me anymore, nor does he want me to be happy. What at all does he want from me?" Her voice trembled with frustration and exhaustion.
"He's selfish," Ella added, her voice bitter, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Today he's friendly… tomorrow he treats everyone as if they mean nothing to him."
The weight of Ben's unpredictable nature pressed down on her, but for now, Jasper was a safe harbor, the calm she had been craving amid the storm.