Chapter 2: $80,000! Not a penny less!

Words : 1839 Updated : Nov 6th, 2025

The guests broke into a low buzz of whispers, and Nina Looske's face turned to ice. "Remy Fouldes, don't mistake kindness for weakness. Nina chose you-she's doing you a favor!" The Looske family had three children: the eldest, Hudson Looske; the second, Graham Looske; and the youngest, Nina Looske. The one barking at him was Graham, a sharp‑faced, weaselly sort. "Then find someone else," Remy said, reaching for the car door as if to leave. Nina, furious yet forced to compromise, darted forward to block him. "It's just that cash 'getting‑out‑of‑the‑car' gift-how much?" He smiled. "Not much. Eighty thousand will do." Gasps rippled through the crowd. "Eighty thousand? He's got some nerve." A jeweled socialite could not hold her tongue. "Shameless." Murmurs flared. Heads tilted together. All the scorn fell on Remy. He stiffened. "Shameless? Are you talking about me, or about the Looske family?" The woman blinked. "You, obviously." "I am the Looske family's son‑in‑law. You insult me, you insult the Looskes. Call me shameless, you call the Looskes shameless. You come to a Looske wedding and call the Looskes shameless-do you think you even belong here?" He swept the line of faces and raised his voice. "I'm not getting out of this car without eighty grand. Don't bother trying to bargain. That's final." His rapid‑fire barrage made scalps prickle. The socialite shut her mouth, and those who were about to back her up drifted away. "Eighty thousand? You think you're worth that?" Graham snarled. He lunged as if to drag Remy out. A light cough cut through the commotion. "Pay him." The parted guests made way. Harley Looske, head of the family, strolled in wearing a Tang‑style jacket, unhurried and steady. A ruckus of this size was not something he could ignore. The Looske family's reputation had to be protected. Remy had counted on this and had chosen this moment to make his demand. He was not afraid to seem shameless. "Dad, there's no precedent for this," Graham blurted. "He's a grown man. That gift is for a young bride. We can't set that precedent." Guests nodded in chorus. "Exactly, Mr. Looske. A live‑in son‑in‑law asking for that cash 'get‑out‑of‑the‑car' gift? That's not how it works." Harley lifted a hand. "It's fine. Remy makes sense. From today he is one of us. The gift should not be skimped." Aiden, the old butler, stepped forward without delay. "Mr. Remy, your account number, please." Remy hesitated inwardly. He had never lived the life of the rich and had no idea how they moved money. Had he asked too little? He sighed at himself. He should have said eight hundred eighty‑eight thousand. But he had given his word, and it would look bad to retract it. He handed over his account details. A moment later, his phone chimed. His phone buzzed. [Your VIP card ending 6266 received $88,888.00. Balance: $88,988.00.] He let out a breath. The old Remy basically had no savings and spent whatever he had. Before he left today, the Fouldes family had taken back the car and the apartment. He needed cash to return to his old line of work. The surreal transaction left everyone dumbstruck. Even Claire Fouldes gaped. Was this still the meek, compliant Remy? Had he been playing dumb all along just to spring this today? "Remy, good for you!" a young man in the crowd whistled and clapped. Remy waved like a triumphant general returning from war. "Hello, everyone, I'm Remy Fouldes." The shameless display made heads shake. Even Claire shuffled back a few steps, mortified. Graham ground his teeth. He swore he would teach this brazen son‑in‑law a lesson later. "Father‑in‑law, did you prepare the eighteen‑piece gold set?" Remy asked, sweeping the room. Silence rippled outward. Even Harley looked blank. The eighteen‑piece gold set was the full set of gold jewelry traditionally prepared for the bride. What did a man want with that? Aiden saved them with a quick step forward. "It's ready, sir. It's all in the bridal suite. You'll see it after the ceremony." Remy patted the butler's shoulder. "Good. Good." Aiden exhaled in relief, then heard Remy add, "I'll check in a minute. If it's not there, I'll jump from up there. You brought me in as a good‑luck charm anyway-same difference." The guests fell silent. His outrageous declaration left mouths open. Even Nina stared, unable to square this man with the one she thought she knew. Harley held his temper, though he shot Nina a reproachful look. He had no idea what she had seen in a man like this. "Take my arm, will you? Read the room," Remy said, flicking a glance at Nina, scolding without ceremony. Her face burned scarlet. No words came. She had no choice but to step in, take his arm, and lead him inside. Remy tried to speak a few times, but Nina yanked him along. Once the guests had filed in behind them, the composed Aiden suddenly panicked. He grabbed the nearest man and barked, "Go buy the full set of eighteen gold pieces. Get it into the bridal suite before the ceremony ends." The man stared. "You really think he will jump?" Aiden shook his head. "Who knows. Move. If he jumps, we all get dragged down." He hurried off, cursing under his breath. On the lawn inside the manor, the guests sat in their seats, waiting quietly. The Looske clan could not sit still, their eyes flicking toward the temporary makeup tent, terrified Remy would pull another stunt. Remy did not disappoint. Between touch‑ups, he needled Nina. "That outfit won't do. You need a wedding dress. A panel skirt is for the engagement. Did no one in the Looske family teach you that? That's out of line. Do I have to handle even this for you?" The tent went dead quiet. No one dared breathe. Nina had a temper, and she had swallowed a lot already. She might blow. She lifted a hand. "Out. All of you." Once everyone else had left, she faced him. "What exactly do you want? Don't say I didn't warn you. If you keep making a scene, it does you no good. You'll have everyone on your back." Remy spread his hands, all innocence. "You're the one ignoring tradition and blaming me. Change or don't change. Either way, it's your family's reputation." Nina let out a laugh edged with fury. "If I refuse, what can you do?" He smiled. "Then I'll kill myself right here. Really give you your big moment. 'Looske heiress drives would‑be son‑in‑law to death.' Tsk, tsk. That'll blow up online." Nina shot to her feet. "Remy Fouldes! You are asking for it." He lounged, utterly unmoved by her rage. This was one of the few chances he had to keep her under his thumb. Miss it, and it was gone. Under his mix of threats and cajoling, Nina could only storm out, fuming. Why hasn't this damn System responded? Where is the promised reward? Did this piece of junk die on me? Or was I not ruthless enough? ...

Chapter 2: $80,000! Not a penny less!

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