Is that the gist of their contribution?
A blackmailer becomes trustworthy?
The blackmailer keeps what - his promises?
Sophia has been allowed to observe the situation with Jennifer. Not only that it should have become clear to her that if she doesn't manage to get rid of Aiden, she might end up as a "betting debt" at some point. And what is even more important, Aiden will never let her go, he will always threaten her with the danger for Dylan - as forgetful as he is - just like he does with Jennifer.
Also that he sticks to the terms of the assignments is not true. The 3rd task clearly showed that and that with it Sophia didn't feel "comfortable" or relaxed in a "subtle way" at all.
It may be that in her virtual world Sophia is such a stupid cow, with an infinite reset ability or forgetfulness, but not in my game.
Thanks for posting your views.
I think our difference of opinion is a perception issue, so I'll try to clarify mine.
My statement clearly reads, Sophia is "beginning" to become comfortable around Aiden. That's important to digest.
In other words, after four assignments, and reading the dialogue from task 4 outside the classroom, I believe a "subtle" shift in Sophia and Aiden's relationship has definitely taken place. You don't agree, that's fine. Since that first relatively modest task to go bra-less, I think otherwise.
You write Sophia has been "allowed" to witness the Jennifer scene.
Wrong. Sophia CHOSE to do so. In addition, and against her teacher responsibilities she chooses not to intervene, observing practically everything to the end. That's a big difference to being allowed, which implies third party involvement, or shifting the obligation from Sophia.
You refer to blackmail. Again, that's arguable. A mutually agreed DEAL exists between Sophia and Aiden, established and agreed at the hangout after Dylan and Zac elected to confront Aiden and his gang, and came off worse. Remember, Dylan and Zac chose to challenge an established school hierarchy controlled by Aiden, and unsavoury as most agree bullying is, it exists in RL, maybe even having its place.
Sophia may not like the arrangement with Aiden (despite admitting to each task increasingly arousing her), but agreed and signed up to a deal to protect her son rather than assigning Dylan to another school.
A definite, prescribed agreement therefore exists between Sophia and Aiden, hardly blackmail. Sophia had, and still has a choice to end it remember, there are alternatives.
Trust. I maintain Sophia trusts Aiden because he has, 1) not only kept his word (so far), 2) also kept Andre and his school henchmen in check by exerting authority over them. Zac and Dylan remain unmolested.
Back to Sophia "beginning" to become comfortable in Aiden's presence, and the third task where you quite rightly state Sophia wasn't comfortable. Understandable when posing semi-nude first time in front of a group of young artists, but that's missing the point. Sophia didn't actually know the guy behind her in the studio WAS Aiden at all, and once again admitting to being aroused by the task.
I'm not claiming she's comfortable doing the tasks either, far from it, I'm merely highlighting a shift in the Sophia/Aiden relationship, which is entirely my point.
I fail to see any place where Aiden has gone back on his word. That's a reasonable foundation for an existence of trust between Aiden and Sophia, an element also critical in leadership. Indeed out of the two, it is Sophia so far who has defaulted on her word.
Let's just say trust is to be applauded, but rarely infinite.