Chapter 117 Recognize their relationship
Only once Teresa and Gabriel were settled inside did the car pull away, the bodyguards swiftly entering their vehicles to follow close behind.
"Let go of me!" Teresa pushed Gabriel away irritably as he leaned in to kiss her forehead after the car had pulled away. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Gabriel blinked innocently, "Me? How could I have known one of your students would post your picture from class? And how could I predict the media would dig up your identity so quickly?"
Teresa was fuming with frustration, "So, you’re telling me, Gabriel, that you can snap your fingers and remove all the interviews and work of Dakota, but you can't handle a single picture posted by a student?"
Gabriel just stared at her silently.
"And even if you missed the picture, all these reporters doxing me, swarming the school, you’re saying you had no clue?" Teresa's anger grew as Gabriel remained mute and feigned innocence. "If you were truly unaware, then why did you show up so quickly? Are you telling me it's all just a coincidence?"
He kept silent, still looking at her.
"You’re being manipulative, trying to force me to publicly acknowledge our relationship to the press, aren't you?" As she accused him, tears began to well up, and in her anger, she swung a punch at him.
"My dear," Gabriel caught her fist in his warm grip before it could hit him, kissed it gently, and then despite her struggle, pulled her into an embrace. He planted a firm kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry, my love. I was wrong. Yes, it was a low move. I knew everything. Even that Twitter post I made yesterday was intentional, to provoke you into declaring our relationship. I wanted the whole world to know that you are my dearest, the one I love, the only one for me."
Gabriel's words, earnest and devout, resonated above her, stirring ripples in Teresa's heart.
"So, everyone knows. Now you are pleased?" While all her previous anger had dissolved inside, Teresa still refused to show any warmth towards him.
She had said their relationship should remain a secret for now, and he had broken that rule. There needed to be a consequence.
Otherwise, he’d never take her seriously again, thinking any promise could be broken with just a sweet talk to smooth things over.
She wouldn't have it!
"My dear..." Gabriel started.
"I don't want to see you for the rest of the week," Teresa said sharply, her intention to leave clear. "After dinner, either you or someone else better bring Croissant back to me. If you don't, you know the consequence." She forcefully pushed him away, her words like daggers.
"I'm sorry, it won't happen again, okay?" Gabriel pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her, admitting his mistake with a hug.
"Let go!" Teresa demanded, angling her body away from his.
Gabriel, holding the woman in his arms, showed no sign of complying.
"If you don't let go, then make it two weeks..."
"Fine, I'm letting go." Before Teresa could finish her sentence, Gabriel obediently released her.
Teresa shot him another sharp look and quickly moved away from him the moment he let go, and then dug out her vibrating cell phone from her pocket. The constant buzzing was probably due to everyone reacting to the news about her and Gabriel; it must be blowing up.
Indeed, the bombshell revelation that she and Gabriel were not only married but also had a son had sent shockwaves through River North.
But it wasn't just River North; the media across the nation were in a frenzy, all scrambling to cover any piece of news related to Teresa and Gabriel.
Mason, seeing the overwhelming coverage of Teresa and Gabriel as well as the Bennett and the Garcia families, wasn't surprised or concerned. After all, the world was bound to find out about Teresa and Gabriel's relationship, and when the news broke, it was sure to cause a sensation. How could it not? Gabriel's success cast a dazzling light, while Teresa had kept such a low profile, never once seeking the spotlight.
Their union was explosive to the outside world, like a meteor striking the earth, and the fervor it sparked wasn't likely to dissipate anytime soon.
"Larry," Mason said after a cursory glance at the reports his secretary had collected.
"Yes, Mr. Garcia?" Larry stepped forward attentively.
"Inform the media they can cover Gabriel and Teresa's story; I won't stop them. But if they dare publish anything out of line that could harm Gabriel, Teresa, or the Bennett and the Garcia families, they'd better weigh the consequences," Mason instructed with an authoritative tone.
Mason was a respected titan in the business world, both domestically and internationally. His words often held more sway than some heads of state. Who would dare ignore Mason's warning?
"Yes, sir," Larry nodded and promptly took to action.
