Scarlet bringing Flynn to her family’s home was, admittedly, partly her fault. But at its core, the blame lay mostly with Flynn.
No one believed Flynn was unaware Scarlet was already engaged. The fact that he dared to follow her here was tantamount to provoking Rolando, questioning his authority.
In other words, Flynn must have known Rolando liked Scarlet. Yet, he still came to Pelens. Even if the Wong family hadn’t told him last night, surely he should have left as soon as he found out. But instead, he stayed-wasn’t that a blatant challenge?
Unless Flynn could force the Gray family to bow before him, his fate today would be miserable. But was that even possible? A young man from Niarak competing with someone like Mr. Gray? Elis Pearce himself had to bow respectfully to Mr. Gray!
“Scarlet, have a seat,” Rolando said with a faint smile, his voice soft and courteous.
“Thank you,” Scarlet replied politely, then turned to Flynn with a smile. “Let’s sit.”
As the two prepared to sit down, Felix Langford interrupted, “Wait! Today’s gathering is for the Wong family, not for some country bumpkin. He’s not welcome here!”
Scarlet, about to pull out a chair for Flynn, froze. Her face darkened. “Mr. Langford, Flynn is my boyfriend, my future husband. Doesn’t that make him part of the Wong family?”
Felix Langford smirked but said nothing, casting a glance at Alexie, who immediately stiffened, unsure how to respond.
As the eldest of the Wong family’s younger generation, Alexie had always set a good example. He was modest, never threw his weight around, and always reasoned with others. Ordinarily, he would have sided with Scarlet. But this time, she had gone too far-bringing a man home at such a critical moment, putting the Wong family in an awkward position.
Besides, from a selfish perspective, Scarlet marrying Rolando would benefit Alexie’s father’s career. And, by extension, his own position in the Wong family would rise as well.
As Alexie hesitated, a woman nearby spoke up. “Future husband? Has Grandpa approved?”
The speaker was Emily Wong, a rebellious-looking young woman with half-sleeve tattoos, heavy eye makeup, and striking blue contact lenses. Her edgy, delinquent vibe was unmistakable.
“That’s right,” Emily added sharply. “The Wong family has strict traditions. A marriage requires the elders’ approval. Clearly, Flynn doesn’t have it.”
“Scarlet, you’re a member of the Wong family. You should abide by our rules and traditions. Don’t disgrace them.”
“The Wong family doesn’t acknowledge this man. Tell him to leave-wherever he came from, he should go back!”
The younger generation of the Wong family chimed in, echoing Emily’s sentiments. None of them accepted Flynn as Scarlet’s fiance.
“You all…” Scarlet’s face flushed with anger, her eyes filled with disappointment.
It was one thing for the family elders to oppose them, but even her peers, people she had grown up with, were against her. From the moment they entered, not a single friendly face had greeted them. Instead, the air had been filled with hostility and disdain. And now, someone even wanted Flynn kicked out?
Emily sneered. “Grandpa won’t even let him stay in the house. And you’re talking about marriage? What a joke.”
“If it were me, I’d have gone back to Niarak long ago. Why stay here and embarrass yourself?”
Turning to Flynn, Emily’s gaze was filled with contempt. “You came to this gathering, what for? To beg Mr. Gray to give Scarlet back to you?”
“Are you planning to cry and plead, saying how much you love her, that you’ll die without her?”
“Go ahead, start your performance. I’m dying to see how emotional you can get!”
Her words drew laughter from the entire room. Everyone assumed Flynn’s only option was to kneel and beg Rolando for mercy. After all, from their perspective, Flynn had no other choice.
Flynn, however, remained silent, seemingly stunned by the overwhelming hostility in the room. This gathering was filled with Pelens’ elite heirs-half of the city’s future business leaders were here. How could a young man from Niarak not feel intimidated?
But just as the laughter reached its peak, Flynn calmly broke his silence. Wrapping an arm around Scarlet’s waist, he smiled faintly and said, “It’s true. We did stay at a hotel last night. After all, the Wong family’s house reeks of money-too suffocating for me. The hotel bed was much more comfortable. We had a great night.”
The room fell silent, the laughter dying instantly.
Everyone stared, their expressions frozen in shock.
We?
He and Scarlet had spent the night together? Even if that were true, how could he say it out loud? Scarlet was Rolando’s fiancee-both families’ elders had given their blessings!
This… This man was courting death.
Rolando’s hand, which had been swirling his wine glass, paused mid-air. His grip tightened on the glass stem, his entire demeanor radiating icy fury.
Jiri Langley, a hulking man with bulging muscles, stopped chewing his food. For the first time that evening, he raised his head, his gaze locking onto Flynn. His muscles tensed, veins bulging as if preparing for an explosive confrontation.
Flynn, unfazed by the tension, pulled out a chair and sat down directly across from Rolando. He smirked. “I came here to talk about Scarlet. But instead, you’re putting on airs in front of me?”
“My woman. Do you really think you can compete with me for her?”
The room was stunned into silence once more. Flynn’s audacity left everyone reeling-it was as if an explosion had gone off in their heads.
The Gray family had dominated Pelens for a century. Never before had anyone dared to challenge them so boldly. And Rolando, the family’s heir, groomed with every resource at their disposal, was being openly mocked?
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” Felix Langford snarled, rising from his seat. Step by step, he approached Flynn, gripping a wine bottle in his hand-a weapon he was infamous for wielding in fights.
Behind him, Ethan Langley wiped his mouth with a napkin and slowly stood, following Felix.
The room fell dead silent, a chilling tension enveloping the air.
Everyone’s eyes focused on Flynn. Would he back down or fight back?
Felix Langford was one of Pelens’ notorious four elites. Crossing him wasn’t just risky-it was outright suicidal. No one believed Flynn could walk out of here unscathed.
Alexie’s face betrayed a hint of worry. The combined forces of the Gray, Langford, Langley, and Sheppard families were insurmountable. Even if Niarak’s wealthiest families joined forces, they’d still stand no chance.
Rolando remained seated, savoring his wine as if the brewing storm had nothing to do with him.
Peyton sighed and shook her head. “What an idiot,” she muttered. “Can’t he see this whole gathering was a trap to provoke him? And he walked right into it.”
Now, he’d handed them the perfect excuse to retaliate. Mocking Mr. Gray? Who gave him the nerve?
Ethan Langley, a military powerhouse and a Semi-Grandmaster, could single-handedly take down everyone here. What chance did Flynn have against him?
Flynn, however, seemed oblivious to the danger. He slowly stood, meeting Felix Langford’s gaze head-on. Grinning, he said, “It’s been a while since I’ve had some fun. My hands are itching. How about this-I break your limbs for everyone’s entertainment. Sound good?”