7. Consequences of the Scandal

The city was abuzz with news of Damian Cassel and Enola Spark. It was big news, and everyone was talking about the scandal. Young Mr Cassel was found sleeping with the young Miss Spark. Clarine Reginald’s engagement was broken off and cancelled immediately. A political marriage and the beginning of a business war became the main topics of the city’s news pages.

Clarine stared at the television angrily as she watched the news about the Damian Enola scandal on the morning news. Clarine threw the TV remote control, smashing it on the floor of her room. She became hysterical and started crying again.

Reginald called Enola and Clarine to meet him in his office. Enola arrived first, and Clarine came with a red face from anger and crying all night.

“You are a shameless girl, Enola! You deliberately destroyed this family’s name! Clarine should have been Damian’s bride, not you!” Reginald was so angry that he clenched his fists on the table and gritted his teeth in rage. He stared at Enola as if he wanted to kill her.

“You’re just jealous of me, Enola! You want to take everything from me, you’ll pay for all this!” Clarine hissed hatefully at Enola.

Reginald’s outburst and Clarine’s hatred did not weaken Enola, who sat calmly on the single sofa. She sat up straight, without looking the slightest bit threatened.

“I’m just taking what I can take from you, Clarine. I’m not taking anything from you. If you lose, it means you’re not smart enough.” Enola’s words further provoked Clarine to attack her. She got up from her chair and was about to slap Enola when she was close to her, but her father held her back.

“Enough! Calm down, Clarine.” Reginald reprimanded his daughter, stopping Clarine from starting a physical fight.

The atmosphere in Reginald’s office was tense. Clarine and her father’s anger was like a thick fog, but Enola appeared calm and unafraid. Having lived under someone else’s roof for years, she was accustomed to her uncle’s oppression and mistreatment. Enola was ready to carry out her plan and find her way to rise this time. She never thought she would stay under someone else’s roof forever and live like a neglected person.

“Do you think Damian will marry you after just one night? You’ll be his plaything, and Damian will throw you away when bored.” Reginald was still trying to scare Enola into backing out of the wedding. The man still had hopes for Clarine and Damian’s marriage.

Enola’s lips curved into a faint smile. She knew her uncle would not give up on Clarine so easily.

“We’ll see. Maybe I’ll be the one who makes Damian unable to let me go.” Enola got up from her seat and walked away with a gesture of indifference. She had said everything she needed to say. The next plan had to be carried out immediately to solidify her position on Damian Cassel’s side.

**

A loud bang on the black wooden table echoed through the room. Behind the sturdy table, a man sat with a look of fury, anger evident in his eyes.

“Well done, little brother. You have created a scandal that has embarrassed the entire family. Father will be even more convinced that you are no longer fit to be the heir apparent.” Adrian smiled slyly at Damian, who sat casually on the sofa with his arms folded in front of his chest.

“Very funny. In my opinion, this is the best decision I have ever made. This scandal frees me from Clarine, and I am no longer bound to anyone. I am free now.” Damian’s tone was cold as he said, “He is free now,” as a form of appreciation for his decision.

Adrian laughed cynically at his half-brother’s arrogance.

“Free? Damian, you’re trapped. That girl will only be a stumbling block for you.” Adrian was furious; he stared at Damian angrily. His plan to pressure his brother was on the verge of failure.

Damian stood up and walked over to Adrian’s desk. His hand gently stroked the edge of the desk, followed by his flat but cold gaze.

“A stumbling block or a stepping stone? That depends on who is smarter at playing their role.” Damian’s gaze lifted to Adrian, then he tapped his brother’s desk lightly several times before walking away.

Damian sent a message to Enola to meet him at his private mansion tonight to discuss the problem between them. Damian had to know what the girl was planning for him.

“Prepare Champagne Salon in my private lounge, I will be entertaining an important guest shortly.” Damian gave the order via his cell phone to the butler of his private mansion before starting the engine of the metallic grey Maserati parked in the spacious courtyard of the Cassel family mansion.

Enola arrived on time to fulfil Damian’s invitation to discuss their issues. Enola glanced at the rearview mirror of her Audi when she stopped at a traffic light on the way to Damian’s mansion. A taxi followed her, and Enola easily guessed that the passenger in the cab was Clarine.

“Clarine, this time you will see who I really am.” Enola stepped on the gas pedal harder, increasing the speed of her car so that she would arrive at Damian’s mansion first.

“Miss Spark, our young master is waiting for you in his private lounge.” Damian’s butler greeted Enola and escorted her to Damian. For a moment, Enola observed the interior design of the mansion. It was classy and elegant, but looked haughty and cold.

Damian sipped champagne while sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed. He turned his head when Enola entered, wearing a sleeveless violet halter-neck mini dress made of satin. Damian smiled faintly, staring at Enola’s elegance, but he realised that elegance and charm were dangerous.

Damian gestured for Enola to sit on the sofa opposite him.

“This scandal has bound us together. Everyone is waiting for our next move. Either we get married, or our reputations are ruined.” Damian’s profound opening statement was met with Enola’s faint smile. Damian stared at the woman with a piercing gaze.

“So now Mr Cassel admits you needs me?! I thought you just wanted to have fun for one night.” Enola teased as she crossed her legs. Her gaze fell on the untouched glass of champagne in front of her on the table.

Damian exhaled loudly and placed his champagne glass on the table. He approached Enola, grabbed her chin, and held it so that Enola’s face was locked onto his.

“Don’t get me wrong. I still want to have fun, but I know you’re smart enough to understand that this marriage benefits both of us.”

“Then let’s get married, Damian. But I have a condition. I don’t want to be a wife who is just a vase for you; I want us to be equals. “Enola smiled slyly, their gazes locked for a moment, neither wanting to blink, as if neither wanted to miss anything in that gaze.

Damian closed the distance between them.

“ That’s why I chose you, Enola. You’re different from all other women. “Damian released Enola’s chin, then took her hand and kissed the back of it in a formal, aristocratic manner.

“Starting tonight, you are my future wife, Enola Spark.” Damian looked at Enola meaningfully, signalling he was ready for their game.

Behind the door of Damian’s private lounge, which left only a small gap, Clarine heard Damian’s declaration to Enola. She clenched her fists in anger.

“I will destroy you, Enola. You don’t know who your real enemy is yet.” Clarine whispered to herself with vengeance. She would not let herself lose to Enola so easily.