Gabriel slamd the file down with a sharp sound. "It’s been weeks," he snapped. His eyes burned with irritation as he glared at Denis. "And you still haven’t secured a eting with the Sphere Group. What the hell have you been doing?"
Denis clenched his jaw, trying to keep his temper in check. "I’ve reached out. Multiple tis," he said stiffly. "They are not giving any appointnts. I can’t force them."
Gabriel scoffed, disbelief etched into every line of his face. "Not giving appointnts? To us?" He leaned forward, voice rising. "You are telling that they are brushing off one of the most powerful companies in the region?"
He jabbed a finger at Denis. "Don’t give excuses. You were at the mayor’s charity gala last night, and so was the president of the Sphere Group. Several people spoke with him and discussed business. Why didn’t you?"
Denis remained silent. He had no good answer—just the lingering sting of failure. He had no idea the president had been there at the party. When he learned about it, he tried to talk to him. But it was too late. He had even followed him to the airport, only to face disappointnt. He, however, couldn’t tell his father all this. It would only make him furious.
Gabriel’s voice exploded through the room. "Why are you quiet now? No excuse left?" His eyes blazed. "You were too busy throwing away twenty million on that third-rate actress."
Denis’s jaw tightened. "My personal life is none of your business."
Gabriel slamd his fist on the desk, fury boiling over. "Don’t test , Denis. You’re the heir to this family—start acting like it. Dragging that woman to a high-profile event? Are you out of your mind? People were watching. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since morning. Everyone wants to know who she is and what your relationship with her is. So are even asking if you are marrying her."
Denis said nothing, his expression unreadable. But inside, he wasn’t rattled—this had been his plan all along. Taking Tania to the party hadn’t been so impulsive mistake. It was a strategic move. He knew full well that his family would never approve of soone like her. By putting her in the spotlight, he was baiting them, forcing their attention on her. He didn’t want the confrontation himself—he was counting on them to push her out of his life, so she’d walk away on her own.
"Your grandfather is already in talks with the Granets," Gabriel added coldly. "He is arranging Augustine’s marriage to gan. Once that alliance is sealed, Augustine’s influence will skyrocket. And you have been wasting ti with that lowly actress."
The words hit Denis like a jolt. Surprise flickered in his eyes before a slow, cunning smile crept across his lips. This was new to him. He hadn’t known about the arranged marriage plans, but now that he did, he instantly saw the opportunity.
If Anne found out Augustine was being lined up to marry soone else—soone from a family like the Granets that his grandfather had arranged—she’d start questioning his loyalty. It could plant just enough doubt to drive a wedge between them.
And Denis intended to be the one to make that happen.
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed when he caught the smug curve of Denis’s lips. "What the hell are you grinning at?" he barked. "Do I look like I’m telling a joke?"
Denis stiffened in his place. His expression hardened instantly, the smile vanishing.
"The Granets have been close to our family for decades. That marriage alliance should be yours, not Augustine’s," Gabriel said with frustration and authority.
Denis recoiled at the ntion of marriage, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes. "What are you even saying? Marriage?" he snapped. He grew restless at the na of marriage. If he got married now, he would never have the chance to get Anne back.
"I’m not ready for that kind of commitnt."
"I don’t give a damn if you’re ready or not," Gabriel shot back with finality. "Get close to gan. Win her over. I don’t care how you do it—charm her, covet her, whatever it takes. But that girl is not marrying Augustine. She is going to be your wife."
Denis’s jaw tightened, fury simring just beneath the surface. "You’ve always controlled —pushed your will on without a second thought." His voice shook with pent-up frustration. "I’ve never had a say in my own life. Since I was a kid, you’ve treated like a pawn to play out your plans. But I’m done. I won’t live like that anymore."
He stood abruptly, squaring his shoulders. Defiance burned in his eyes. "From now on, I decide what I do. You don’t get to pull the strings anymore."
He turned to walk away, but Gabriel’s booming voice halted him mid-step.
"I didn’t say you could leave. You don’t get to choose comfort over responsibility. You’ll do what is required. This business, this empire—it has to stay with us. We can’t let Augustine take any part of it. Do you hear ?"
Denis turned back slowly, his glare cold and sharp. "Augustine won’t take what belongs to . I won’t let him. His engagent to gan changes nothing. I, Denis Beaumont, won’t let him step into this family, let alone inherit anything."
Gabriel exhaled deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. His tone dropped, more serious. "You still don’t get it, do you? Mr. Granet isn’t just anyone—he is a top lawyer with the strongest firm in the city. If Augustine marries gan, that firm will back him. And then, with their help, he could claim a legal right to everything—our assets, our company, our legacy. I’ve spent years trying to lock this all down under my na. One wrong move from you could undo all of it."
His voice hardened. "So no matter how you feel, you’ll marry gan. I don’t care how many won you have on the side—keep your gas quiet. But gan must beco your wife."
Denis was seething, barely keeping himself from exploding. Every muscle in his body tensed with the urge to fight back, to yell, to walk out for good—but he knew his father. Gabrial never listened. Arguing now would be a waste of breath.
He paused for a mont, thinking fast.
In high society, marriages weren’t always about love—they were strategic moves. Marry for power, for connections, for access. No strings attached, just mutual gain. Once the purpose was served, the couples separated peacefully.
If being with gan could help settle things, he’d play along.
"Fine," Denis said through clenched teeth. "I’ll think about it." He turned on his heel, ready to leave—only for Gabriel to stop him again.
"You should et Augustine. Ask him to set up a eting with the Sphere Group."
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