C15 Flinn Rushed over

Elena was completely bewildered, instinctively turning to her uncle Sulo, who was visibly flustered.

Sulo's mind raced with panic. He had been so sure his actions would remain undetected, but how had the police found him so quickly? What was he to do now?

Today was Elena's engagement day. If she were to be arrested, his actions would be unforgivably heinous.

In the midst of Sulo's turmoil, Grandma Ramirez's voice thundered, "Sulo, what in the world is happening?"

"I—I don't know, Mom," he stammered.

"You good-for-nothing! Are you lying to me?" Grandma Ramirez bellowed. "Today is Elena's engagement, and the Perez family will be here any minute. If she's taken away by the police because of you, I swear I'll disown you from the Ramirez family!"

Hearing this, Sulo's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, knocking his forehead against the ground as he pleaded, "Mom, I made a mistake! I'm so sorry! I was blinded by the desire to save money. Please forgive me just this once."

Grandma Ramirez, her anger unabated, addressed the officer sternly, "Officer, my granddaughter didn't purchase that car. She's an innocent victim, unaware of any of this. It was my son who deceived us all. If you're looking for a criminal, take him away!"

The officers exchanged looks, then released Elena and approached Sulo, cuffing him. "You're under arrest. Come with us for questioning."

Without a word or resistance, Sulo followed the officers into the police car. As the vehicle carrying Sulo and the towed Porsche disappeared, Grandma Ramirez's rage nearly gave way to a heart attack.

Elena's makeup was smeared by tears as she lamented, "Grandma, the Perez family will be here any moment, and I have no dowry to present. What am I going to do?"

"Tell the Young Master that your dowry is still clearing customs and will certainly arrive before the wedding," Grandma Ramirez advised, her voice firm with resolve. "Everything will work out."

Feeling utterly dejected, Elena knew she had no other choice.

Grandma Ramirez then addressed the room with authority, "The Perez family will be here shortly. Everyone, compose yourselves. We cannot let them find out about any of this. Is that clear?"

"We get it," the Ramirez family members acknowledged among themselves, keenly aware that such a scandalous matter must be kept from the Perez family. Otherwise, they'd be the butt of their jokes and looked down upon.

In the midst of the commotion, Zoie leaned toward Rollins and asked in a hushed tone, "How did you know the car was illegally modified?"

Rollins chuckled, "Just experience. The front and back halves don't even match. It might fool someone naive, but experts? Impossible."

Zoie expressed her surprise, "I had no idea you knew so much."

Before Rollins could reply, Rasul burst into the yard, exclaiming, "The Perez family convoy has arrived! They're right outside!"

Grandma Ramirez quickly donned her most welcoming smile and went out to greet them.

A line of opulent cars turned the corner and approached.

"Wow, eight Bentleys, each worth three million!"

"The Perez family is truly loaded!"

"Young Mr. Perez looks so dashing and cultured!"

"Elena is one lucky girl!"

The entire family gathered at the courtyard entrance, eagerly awaiting the guests. As Kasch emerged from his vehicle, Elena cast aside her earlier irritation and greeted him warmly, "Kasch, you're here!"

"Sorry to keep you waiting, baby," Kasch replied with a slight smile.

He continued towards the courtyard, addressing Grandma Ramirez, "I've brought some engagement gifts from home. Please accept them, Grandma Ramirez. They're just small tokens, nothing of great value."

"I would never turn down gifts," Grandma Ramirez responded, her grin so broad it nearly split her face. The younger family members crowded around, eager to catch a glimpse of the Perez family's lavish offerings.

"A Green Water Heart Jade pendant from Green Pavilion! Isn't that worth over 400,000?"

"And these ten limited edition Gucci handbags, each valued at over 30,000, right?"

"Not to mention a full set of Tiffany jewelry. That's got to be worth tens of thousands."

"Wow, all these gifts must total over a million. The Perez family is the epitome of wealth, calling these treasures 'small tokens.'"

Murmurs of amazement rippled through the crowd, and Grandma Ramirez's smile deepened even further at the sound of their awe.

Yet, deep down, Elena felt a twinge of disappointment.

Kasch had originally planned to purchase the 13 million yuan jade piece from Green Pavilion for her. But after his business deal with Wandos Company fell through, he could only present her with these gifts, totaling a little over a million yuan—a significant downgrade from what was promised.

Even so, her engagement was a far grander affair than Zoie's wedding had ever been!

The sight of Zoie and Rollins together ignited a fury within her.

Despite the car incident having nothing to do with Rollins, she held his entire family responsible.

After all, he was the harbinger of misfortune!

She sauntered over to Zoie, looping her arm through hers with feigned affection. "Cousin, we've always been so close," she cooed. "For my engagement, you gifted me a modest necklace. I appreciate the gesture, knowing it's the best you could do. Kasch, on the other hand, spoiled me with 10 GUCCI bags. Why don't you pick one? Consider it a gift from me."

Zoie's face turned a deep shade of red.

"Don't get me wrong," Elena added quickly. "I'm not upset. I understand times are tough for you, especially with your husband to support."

Zoie remained silent, her embarrassment palpable.

Kasch frowned. "You seemed pretty confident at Wandos Company yesterday," he remarked. "I assumed you were employed. Little did I know, you're still relying on Miss Zoie for support."

"Oh, he's employed alright," Elena mocked. "He's quite the domestic worker at home."

Laughter erupted from the crowd, leaving Zoie wishing she could disappear into the floor.

Kasch nodded, as if in deep thought. "My hotel is actually looking for a cleaner, someone to maintain the restrooms. The job pays 10,000 a month, plus a fair commission. Interested?"

His smirk was telling.

Elena chimed in, "And what's the commission?"

"A yuan per service," Kasch replied with a grin.

The laughter intensified.

Rollins, however, stayed quiet.

"Don't say we're not looking out for you, Rollins," Elena prodded with biting sarcasm. "Jobs are scarce these days, you know."

Rollins simply shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not interested."

"You act so proud, yet you have nothing to show for it. You really should recognize your own limits," Elena taunted.

"And who told you I have nothing?" Rollins retorted with a laugh.

"What could you possibly have?" Elena sneered. "Next to Kasch, you're insignificant. What makes you think you're better than him in any way?"

Kasch chuckled, "Elena, don't be so modest. I mean, my brother-in-law does have one up on me—he's unparalleled in shamelessness!"

Laughter erupted around them.

"He truly excels in that department!"

"He couldn't hold a candle to Young Mr. Perez, not even one percent!"

The room filled with raucous laughter, while Zoie clenched her jaw in frustration.

Rollins, unfazed, offered a smile. "Try to see the bigger picture," he advised. "Life is full of ups and downs. Those on top might fall, and those at the bottom can rise when least expected."

Kasch doubled over with laughter. "Oh, the delusions of a loser! But hey, whatever helps you sleep at night," he mocked. "I can't speak for others, but as long as you're around, you'll never outdo me."

Rollins simply smiled, his thoughts elsewhere. Flinn should be arriving any moment now, right?

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Look, more cars are coming! A whole fleet of luxury vehicles!"

Kasch's smile faltered as he glanced at Elena. His family's cars had arrived long ago, the gifts already delivered. Who could this newcomer be?

Elena, misinterpreting the situation, said, "Kasch, it's just an engagement, not the wedding. Why the grand gesture with so many cars?"

Grandma Ramirez joined in, "Young Mr. Perez, you're too generous. Elena is lucky to have you."

Kasch managed a strained chuckle, not correcting the assumption that the cars were from him, but his mind swirled with suspicion.

As everyone stepped outside, they were greeted by a sight of eighteen Rolls Royces lined up at the gate, with stern-looking men in black suits stepping out of the vehicles.

"Wow, eighteen Rolls Royces! The lead car is a gold-badge limited edition, worth over 30 million!"

"That single car costs as much as eight of Kasch's Bentleys!"

"More like ten times over!"

"His Bentleys look like trash compared to these!"

"Who is this VIP?!"

The men stood at attention beside the open car doors, a display of formidable presence.

And then, Flinn finally arrived!