Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of the game, but whether L&P calls it blackmail or not, Morello made Sophia doing something she wouldn't have done without the leverage. That is quite clearly a blackmail event, at least from my point of view.
In addition, there are two other blackmail stories besides the one with Morello. Or did you forget Aiden and Mr. Bannett? Both threaten Sophia with consequences if she does not act as they dictate. Two more very clear blackmail stories in my opinion.
Whether L&P sees it that way or not, there are three major blackmail stories in his game:
- Aiden threatens the health of Dylan, to impose task to Sophia
- Mr. Bannett forces Sophia to attend the dinner and related events, and threatens Dylan's school career to enforce it.
- Morelo threatens the household, to enfocre his goal.
Actually, there were even more:
- Clark, forced her to the shower or to reveal her trespassing on school property
- Johnson, immorally imposed himself, with the leverage of the job that Sophia needs.