22 The Power Couple

" Sir, this news is everywhere. Both online and in newspapers. It was first leaked online at about 2 am. The computer technians are trying to trace back to the server where it was first uploaded. They should be done in about half an hour. " The assistant completed his report.

" Umm.. there is a throng of reporters outside the Mansion gates, Mr. Raizada. So, what should we do with them? " He asked wiping the sweat off his face.

There was a moment of silence.

" Maybe we should make the announcement of marriage sooner than later? " A voice spoke.

Mr. Raizada and Grandpa started. They turned towards the source of sound. Sofya was standing there, her arms crossed, looking at them smilingly, followed by George.

Arnav looked at her and then turned away, his mouth etched in a thin line. Similarly she avoided his gaze.

" Sofya, how come you are here? " Grandpa asked, hugging her.

Sofya shrugged. After hearing about the news, she had quickly bathed and dressed. Then, she had asked her bodyguard to have Grandpa's number tracked. Having an inkling before the search was completed, it was confirmed that he was at Thornfield Mansion. But the main problem was how to get there. There were reporters everywhere. She had to use the backdoor of her Villa to get out. Similarly, she had contacted George for ways to get into the Mansion and he had obliged.

" Uncle, I think it's best to announce about the marriage now. That way, it will minimise the damage. As for the slandering and gossips, well " Sofya sighed, " I guess I will just have to put up with it. "

Mr. Raizada looked at Sofya, bemused. Well, her suggestion was not exactly the solution but there was no other way. It was a get out of jail free card. " I think we should do it. " Mr. Raizada quietly said.

" Let's go then! " Grandpa clapped his hands together like a child promised sweets. Of course, he had waited for this moment, but he had never imagined it would be under such circumstances.

Mr. Raizada and Mr. Khemka walked outside, followed by their assistant and bodyguards. And just like that, the announcement was made.

The emanation was that, the very next day there was a huge upsurge in stock prices of both Empericorp Inc and Raizada Holdings Corporations.

Congratulations messages, bouquets of flowers and well wishes started pouring in for the couple. The online social media sites and business tabloids started referring to them as ' The Power Couple ' of the year.

However, the downside was the slandering and the gossips that Sofya had to face in the business circle. Of course, nobody said it to her face, they didn't have the guts to do so. There were many rich business families, whose daughters wanted to marry Arnav Singh Raizada, but they had lost to this bitch. A rumor was even doing the rounds that Sofya had tricked Arnav into marrying her, because if given the choice, he would have chosen someone else over her.