, a man admired and respected by everyone. Drake Mortel was no ordinary person. He was a successful businessman who hailed from a prominent family-one that commanded attention and res

and his reputation glittered like gold

th certainty whether he was a young bachelor or an older widower. To the public, Drake was a riddle wrapped in enigma. People only knew of his w

sed relationship had triggered a storm of gossip, and questions were flying as to who exactly this elusive Drake Mortel was. Was he the dashing young man some c

king a "sugar daddy" to satisfy her material desires. Yet, many couldn't reconcile this idea. They knew Gypsy's family-wealthy and well-established-didn't need to cling to any man for financial stability. She could buy

rn out of people's desire to unearth the secrets of a man who was seemingly untouchable, a man whose name alone sparked cur

she realized how much this situation was spiraling out of control. The truth was, she wanted to speak up. She wanted to tell everyone that the rumors were nothing but lies-that there was no relationship be

d the fabricated story. She couldn't bring herself to betray her mother, even if it meant facing the consequences of this unintentional scandal. The weig

nd the truth, whatever it was, would come to light in its own time. For now, she decided to let the world think what it wanted. Sh

offering all sorts of things. It wasn't like this before. In fact, she vividly remembered how they would look at her with disdain, sneering and raising their eyebrow

e kindness or the glances they sent her way. Why should I? she thought. She knew what it was all about. They weren't interested in her for who she was-they were j

pester her to date them. She was off-limits. And while some part of her resented how this had all come to be, she couldn

her as if she were some exhibit at a museum. Every move she made seemed amplified, scrutinized. Great, she thought sarcastically. Now I'm the center of attention. S

her pretending to be her friends were nothing more than sycophants, people who only cared because they thought they could get something from her. Sh

It was Rona's group, the same people who had barely acknowledged her before. Rona and

e no empty spots anywhere else

g a small shrug. "Sure, no pr

thank you for the tips you've been sending me. Guess what? Mike and I are officially a thing now!" she said, practic

She had always liked Rona well enough, even if

eally. I was just insecure, you know? I didn't want to admit it, but I didn't like how Mike always seemed to notice you.

ls that had followed Rona's lead, who were also sitting with her, were just as nice. She had known these

ng a small nod. "I can do tha

at Gypsy. "Thank you, Gypsy. Real

new. Something real. Something not tied to the image or the expectations others had of her. It wasn't about Mike. It wasn't abo

en't the typical "mean girls" everyone feared, but they were competitive and had their eyes set on academic ex

, not really feeling

orrow?" Lisa added with a grin, ea

much of her day she wanted to spend with

upposed relationship that everyone seemed to believe was true. She was overwhelmed. She didn't want to do it. What could she possibly say? The whole thing was a lie. She didn't want to fabricate a story. If she went through with it, it wo

," she said, setting the ph

insistent. "You need to

t even know what to tell them!" Gypsy felt like she was

him, right? Just answer whatever they ask you," her

Mom. Please, I can't do this," Gypsy's voic

face grew serious, and Gypsy could fe

, her eyes locking with Gypsy's. "But please, do me thi

he had never seen her mother so serious, so determined. This wasn't

ization dawning on her. "But Mom.

her mom continued, her voic

to Mortel, everyth

couldn't hold back the question anymore. What was it about Drak

ankrupt or help it expand. That's why businessmen cling to him like leeches. But that's not what we're after from him, Gypsy. Everything we're doing is for your

omething Gypsy couldn't quite grasp. She knew that her mother wanted to use her-use this issue, this scandal that had become a trend-to get close to Drake Morte

ut her and Drake anymore. This was about manipulation, power

had already spread. This issue had become a hot topic, and now, she was just a pawn in a game that she didn't choose. The only thing left now

strategies and methods were needed to force hi

g that had unfolded. Her mom had reached out to Drake Mortel, and now, it seemed like there was no turning back. She could almost vis

lie she had told. It made her nervous, her heart pounding in her chest, but she refused to let it show. She kept her posture strong, shoulders stra

ressure intensify. It was happening. The moment she ha

e Mortel?" The host's voice rang

ideal answers she had prepared in her head. This was w

er smart, a great kisser, and very caring. He's got that bad boy vibe, you know? It's just that walk, that

upted into chee

ideal man!" one voice

a hottie!" someon

rl!" more voi

aughed, and Gypsy couldn't help but force

on, a little smoother this tim

e words flow out. Just make it sound b

and I was into him, so... that's how we became a couple." Gypsy answered, feeling a slight sting in her chest as she lied. But she pushed it aside an

ion made her w

e want to show hi

t she quickly masked it. She didn't

, and we have to respect that decision," she said, not knowing if that was th

d no idea about. She wasn't even studying business. She was a medical student, for heaven's sake. She wasn't sup

nerve: "Are you just using Dra

sensitive, too real. But she knew the

voice firm. "Of course

to something lik

ff the stage, she could feel the pressure mounting again. She knew the interview would go viral. It was already trending as the nu

The lies were out there, and she couldn't take them back. Wh

" her mom told her, a firm command in her voice. "You're not allowed to go

elf in her room, binge-watching Netflix to distract herself. The days dragge

stery, after all. Maybe the whole thing was just a figment of her imagination. Maybe he was

unfold as easily as they had hoped. Gypsy wasn't sure where all this would le

-eating together, spending time together. She had truly become a part of the group. It was rare that she could

bar," Rona invite

mester was almost over, and the pressures of school were beginning to ease. Despite th

to have fun too. Even if her mother forbade her from

later, okay?

e location in the gro

ne shows up!" she

the living room, as if waiting for someone. As soon as

father had been living abroad for years, as their family's business was based there. Her mother o

me?" her father asked, hi

she replied, trying to mask

a month because there's so

possibly need to settle in the Philippines? As far as she knew, he had sold all their bu

to come home for her birthday because he claimed he needed to oversee the business. He had always prioritized his

ead his expression. She couldn't shake the feeling that the

d?" she asked cautiously, hop

d calmly. "There's no issue with it. Bu

d looked her directly in the eyes. The seriousness in his face made her heart race. Whateve

. "What is it, Dad?" she asked, her voice trembling sl

time, I'll tell you what it is. Okay?" His gaze was steady, searchi

did, it was always something significant. If he needed her to do something, no matter how

ly, a mixture of curiosity an

g his approval. "Now, go upstairs and

er that whatever he was planning was bigger than she could understand right now. She turned and slowly made her way up the stairs, her thoug