Chapter 38: Let’s do a contractual marriage

The words slipped from my tongue before I fully realized the gravity of what I had said. "It's because we are dating." The room fell into a stunned silence, and I glanced at Elena, her expression mirroring my own shock. The reporters, who had been a relentless barrage of questions and accusations, now seemed momentarily stunned. But it was only a brief respite.

The reporters quickly recovered and their questions started again, more invasive and accusatory than before. 

"How long have you been dating?"

"Is this just another PR stunt?"

"Was this relationship the reason for Elena's rapid rise in the modeling world?"

I felt my patience wearing thin, my nerves fraying at the edges. These vultures were getting on my last nerve. I decided it was time to end this farce.

"Enough," I said, my voice sharp and icy, cutting through the cacophony of questions. "This press conference is over." 

"But Ms. Steele, the public deserves to know—"