“Julianna, I suggest you zip that mouth of yours!” Rosaline barked as she stood up from her seat, ready to rip into Julianna at any given moment. “Who are you calling gay?!”

“Who else do you think I’m talking about?” Julianna smirked coldly. “It’s one of the three Ryker grandsons, and it’s definitely not Adam or Adrien, so that leaves…”

“Stop it, all of you!” Oscar snapped. “Why is everyone squabbling as though I’m dead?”

Rosaline and Julianna continued staring daggers at each other, but they knew better than to continue arguing. Both ladies took their seats once again.

“Abel, I’ll give you one chance to give everyone a proper explanation. I don’t want to see our family’s good name tarnished and ruined!” Oscar croaked.

“What do you want me to explain, granddad?” Abel spoke calmly.

“Of all the people I chose to succeed me as head of Ryker Group, I chose you, Abel. However, I never expected you to indulge in that sort of shameful vice! Even until the day I die, I will never approve of it!” Oscar lamented.

“Granddad, my relationship with Emmett is nothing like what the media is portraying,” Abel explained. “I’m not gay, nor do I fancy men. I treat him like a younger brother, that’s all.”

“Younger brother? Pfft, who are you trying to kid?” Adam mocked. “I’ve seen you hugging and cuddling with Emmett with my own eyes, not once but twice now!”

“Emmett’s just a kid. Stop trying to turn an innocent friendship into something more than it is!” Abel was increasingly agitated.

“You’re still trying to hide the truth? Alright then!” Adam yelled angrily as he threw a bunch of the incriminating photos of Abel and Emmett on the table. “How do you explain these? I can’t even look at them without blushing!”

Rosaline and Lewis looked ashen as they caught a glimpse of the photos spread out on the table, while Julianna and Landen were trying their best not to look too gleeful.

“Abel, you’ve disappointed me so badly,” Oscar sounded more tired than angry now. “Tell me now then, what do you intend to do about this?”

“Father,” Lewis said as he stood up. “I’ve spoken with Abel. He will make sure he distances himself from Emmett and cut all ties with him. He will also make his relationship with Ms. Evelyn official and make a public announcement, so all of this should be forgotten in no time.”

“Forgotten in no time?” Julianna said incredulously. “The damage has already been done! People won’t forget so easily!”

“I, for one, won’t be pleased if we let this go so easily,” Adam added.

“Adrien, Mom,” Adrien frowned at his vindictive family members. “Just let it go already. It’s not like that…”

“Quiet, you fool!” Julianna admonished her second son. “What else could it be then? This is as obvious as it gets!”

“Exactly! If we don’t come out and make a statement to clear the air, we’ll lose our standing in front of all the other influential families of Struyria!” Adam cried.

“Adam is not wrong,” Oscar agreed. “No one in Struyria would respect us anymore if they knew that one of the Rykers was a homosexual!”

“You guys are blowing things way out of proportion! Since when exactly did Abel turn gay?” a chirpy voice filled the hall. The Rykers turned toward the door only to find Emmett dressed in a smart black suit, looking like his usual pretty, charming self.

“Emmett?” Abel’s voice was filled with surprise and a little delight. “Why are you here?”

“Abel,” Emmett hopped toward Abel and held onto his elbow. “I was worried that they’d give you a hard time, so I decided to look for you.”

“Don’t worry, they can’t bring me down so easily,” Abel said as he wrapped an arm around Emmett’s tiny waist. “You didn’t have to come all the way here for me.”

“This whole scandal started because of me. How could I not be here?” Emmett cocked his head slightly.

Abel and Emmett chatted as if they were in their own world, oblivious to everyone else around them.

Adrien smiled, knowing that things were about to get a lot more interesting.

Evelyn looked like she was about to throw a fit.

Adam, on the other hand, looked green with jealousy. He could not believe how lucky Abel was all the time. He was rich, successful, and always got everything he wanted, including Emmett, the pretty boy. Adam had always wanted a pretty little gay friend like Emmett too, but he did not have Abel’s luck.