“Uh… Peter, Scarlet just made a foolish mistake. It’s my fault for not disciplining her properly. Please, don’t laugh at us.”
Holger shook his head helplessly, his tone filled with apology.
“Haha, Holger, this isn’t just a joke about you. It’s making the Gray family look bad too!”
The man on the other end of the phone sounded polite, even warm, but to Holger, it hit like a thunderbolt.
Peter’s displeasure was unmistakable.
“Peter, this is entirely my fault,” Holger said, his face pale and body trembling.
“Oh, Holger, don’t put it that way. Young people like freedom in love. We should be understanding. Wasn’t Rolando involved with two other girlfriends before he liked Scarlet? It’s really not a big deal.”
Holger froze at those words. “Peter, you mean…”
“Here’s the thing. Don’t be too harsh on Scarlet. Let’s put the engagement on hold for now. Rolando feels that, since everyone hasn’t seen each other in over a year, it’d be nice to host a gathering tomorrow morning with some friends from our circle.”
“I think it’s good for the younger generation to connect a bit more, don’t you?”
“Young girls, you know, they watch too many romantic dramas and dream of finding some perfect match for a happily-ever-after life. We have to be patient with them.”
“But after she spends some time in Pelens, seeing the top-tier circles, her perspective will broaden. She’ll have more options.”
Peter’s message was clear: Scarlet was naive and lacked exposure. Once she saw more of the world and met enough exceptional men, she’d realize her current boyfriend was nothing special.
Of course, Peter spoke with confidence, certain that his grandson Rolando would win Scarlet over with his charm and capabilities. He believed that once they spent more time together, Scarlet would naturally fall for him, and marriage would follow effortlessly.
“You’re absolutely right, Peter! Let’s let the younger ones get to know each other first.”
Holger immediately understood Peter’s intentions, and his mind cleared.
Scarlet, simple and pure, had been deceived by Flynn’s sweet words-it was understandable.
But Rolando, at such a young age, had already become a leader among the business elites of Pelens. Even Lysander King Zion Watson had nothing but praise for him.
In Holger’s eyes, a man as outstanding as Rolando would surely win Scarlet’s heart with time.
However, after hanging up the phone, Holger’s expression remained sour.
What was supposed to be the day to finalize the engagement was now indefinitely postponed.
How could he possibly feel pleased?
“Father, what did Peter say?” Jakub asked anxiously.
“Ah! The Gray family knows Scarlet brought a man home. The engagement has been delayed!”
What?!
The engagement delayed?
The room erupted in chaos.
“Look! Just look at the mess Scarlet’s caused! Everything was set, and now it’s all postponed! How is the eldest supposed to make any progress as Secretary-General?”
“Progress? If this isn’t handled properly, Clifford’s position might not even be secure!”
“It’s all Flynn’s fault! That country bumpkin must leave the Wong family immediately-get him out, now!”
The room was filled with panic and anger. All of it was directed at Flynn-a man they had never met, a nobody from the small town of Niarak who had dared to step into Pelens and stay with the Wong family.
Peter’s questioning had clearly shaken Holger.
This was humiliating-utterly humiliating!
And it was all Flynn’s fault. If not for his lies, Scarlet wouldn’t have been deceived.
If not for Flynn, the Wong family wouldn’t have suffered this embarrassment.
Had Flynn not interfered, the engagement would have been sealed by now, and Clifford’s promotion to Mr. Richardson’s replacement would have been guaranteed.
Flynn had jeopardized the Wong family’s future!
“Quiet! Quiet!” Holger slammed the table, standing at the head of the room. “There’s still a chance to fix this. Peter suggested we let the younger generation spend some time together.”
“This is our last opportunity. If Scarlet makes her stance clear tomorrow morning at the gathering and breaks up with Flynn, the Gray family will still accept her!”
The room fell silent for a few seconds, then exploded with excitement.
“Let the younger ones mingle? That’s a brilliant idea! That country bumpkin Flynn will be scared out of his wits when he sees the elite gathering and will flee Niarak with his tail between his legs!”
“Haha, does that hillbilly even dare attend the event? Once he hears about it, he’ll probably run away overnight!”
“Mr. Gray is a shining star among Pelens’ elite. Once Scarlet sees his brilliance, she’ll definitely waver.”
After analyzing the situation from all angles, everyone agreed this was the perfect plan.
If Flynn agreed to break up, he’d be sent packing immediately.
If he refused, they’d make him agree-one way or another.
But most believed the first scenario was inevitable. Flynn would see the gathering of Pelens’ most elite and be too terrified to show his face.
Maria and Eduardo listened in stunned silence.
They had thought Peter’s anger would lead to the engagement being canceled altogether, sparing them further trouble.
But now, the Gray family was doubling down, turning the situation into a battle for Scarlet’s heart.
Rolando was nothing if not persistent-a madman, even.
What was he scheming? If Flynn went to that gathering, it would surely end badly for him.
As the others said, once Flynn saw the connections and power Rolando had, he’d likely flee back to Niarak. If that happened, Scarlet would undoubtedly end up marrying Rolando, and her suffering would never end.
“We can’t leave this to the Gray family alone. We must intervene!”
“Flynn can’t stay here anymore. And Scarlet-tell her that if she doesn’t break up with Flynn before tomorrow’s gathering, she’s no longer my granddaughter!”
“Eduardo, you and Maria take care of this!”
With that, Holger turned and left, and the other members of the Wong family scattered, each one throwing a disdainful glance at Maria and Eduardo before leaving.
Without their support, Scarlet wouldn’t have dared pull such a stunt!
“What should we do?” Eduardo sighed, his face full of worry.
Maria shook her head helplessly. “Things have gone beyond our control. For now, Flynn will have to leave.”
Scarlet bringing Flynn home had already offended the Gray family’s sense of pride. They were determined to restore their reputation, and even if Holger sided with Scarlet, this storm couldn’t be avoided.
The couple hurried back to the rear courtyard.
Flynn, meeting Eduardo for the first time, had barely exchanged greetings when Maria pulled him aside.
“Mom, what’s going on? Why does Flynn have to leave?” Scarlet asked angrily, her face darkening.
Eduardo had no choice but to explain everything that had happened with Holger.
“If Flynn can’t stay here, then neither will I!” Scarlet said, her face flushed with anger.
She couldn’t understand it. Flynn even knew the Governor-how could he compare unfavorably to Rolando?
Scarlet had bought many gifts for the family, but now she no longer felt like giving them.
Maria, knowing her daughter’s temper, saw there was no stopping her and reluctantly let her go.
The four of them headed toward the door.
But as they reached the entrance, they found the Wong family gathered there, waiting.
All eyes turned to Flynn, filled with disdain.
So this was the man.
They had expected someone extraordinary in appearance and bearing but instead saw someone entirely ordinary-so plain he could get lost in a crowd.
He had none of the charm or aura of a man like Rolando.
And his car-a Lexus? An old model from ten years ago that had probably been driven for seven or eight years!
With that kind of image, it was laughable to think he even knew someone like Orion Kennedy.