Chapter 97: I’m not ready for that kind of commitment.
Gabriel slammed 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 meeting 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 times," he said stiffly. "They are not giving any appointments. I can’t force them."
Gabriel scoffed, disbelief etched into every line of his face. "Not giving appointments? To us?" He leaned forward, voice rising. "You are telling me that they are brushing off one of the most powerful companies in the region?"
He jabbed a finger at Denis. "Don’t give me 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 disappointment. 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 slammed his fist on the desk, fury boiling over. "Don’t test me, 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. Some 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 some impulsive mistake. It was a strategic move. He knew full well that his family would never approve of someone 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.