Chapter 216: You are on your own

Kevin’s expression stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"

Clara smiled innocently before reaching into her handbag and pulling out a thick folder.

"Since you’ve been so kind as to bring your documents, I thought it would be rude of me to arrive without mine."

Kevin’s gaze immediately fell on the folder. "What is that?"

"Something you might find interesting." She opened it and casually flipped through a few pages.

"Tell me, Mr. Kevin, how long have you been working for Crownwell Holdings?"

Kevin frowned. "What does that have to do with this property?"

"Oh, nothing much. I’m simply curious." Clara shrugged.

"Miss Clara, I don’t have time for your ridiculous questions." Kevin snapped, but before he could go further, Clara interrupted.

"Then perhaps you’ll have time to explain these."

Clara pulled out several documents and held them up.

"Property acquisition records, ownership transfers, and complaints filed by previous landowners. Quite an impressive collection, wouldn’t you agree?"

Kevin’s expression changed. "Where did you get those?"

Clara tilted her head. "Why? Are they supposed to be confidential?"

"Those documents belong to Crownwell Holdings!" he argued.

"So you recognize them?"

Kevin immediately realized his mistake. "I-I mean, anyone could fabricate such documents!"

He knew that those documents were real; however, he just couldn’t admit it. Working with the Crownwell holding, Kevin was aware of every legal document.

Clara chuckled. "Interesting. You haven’t even examined them, yet you’re already calling them fake."

Behind her, Lily’s eyes widened.

"Oh! She got him!"

Silvia quickly elbowed her. "Quiet! Let Madam finish!"

Gen watched Kevin’s increasingly uncomfortable expression with growing satisfaction.

Clara calmly placed the documents back inside the folder.

"Let’s discuss something else, shall we? According to your records, Crownwell Holdings has acquired several properties over the past few years at remarkably low prices."

Kevin clenched his jaw. "All those transactions were conducted legally."

"Really? Then why did so many previous owners file complaints alleging that their signatures were forged?"

"Baseless accusations!"

"Perhaps," Clara replied casually. "But wouldn’t it be interesting if someone compared those signatures with the originals?"

Kevin felt his stomach tighten. He had carefully concealed every irregularity. There was no way Clara could have uncovered so much information overnight.

"Miss Clara, I suggest you be careful with your accusations."

Clara’s smile slowly disappeared.

"And I suggest you be careful about threatening me." Her sudden change in tone made Kevin fall silent.

Clara stepped closer.

"You see, Mr. Kevin, I was perfectly willing to settle this matter through the proper legal channels. But you decided to send men to vandalize my bakery and then arrived with a bulldozer before the deadline."

Kevin’s eyes flickered. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"Of course you don’t." she smirked.

Clara turned toward Gen. "Did you record everything?"

Gen immediately nodded. "Yes, Madam! Including their leader admitting that someone hired them!"

Kevin froze.

Lily grinned triumphantly. "And we sent the video to Officer Ethan!"

Clara looked back at Kevin. She knew her girls weren’t damsel in distress and would have worked their things out without letting things slide. Which is why when she was informed about the men, she already took a hint from their assurance.

"Now, wouldn’t you agree that this situation deserves a proper investigation?"

Kevin swallowed nervously.

Before he could respond, Clara pulled out her phone.

"Actually, why don’t we ask someone who might be interested in hearing your explanation?"

She tapped the screen and raised the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Officer Ethan? Yes, I’ve arrived at the bakery."

Kevin’s face drained of color.

Clara smiled.

"There’s someone here I’d very much like you to meet."

Clara ended the call and slipped her phone back into her handbag.

Kevin stared at her, trying to hide the uneasiness that had settled over him.

"You actually called the police?" he asked.

Clara raised an eyebrow.

"Why? Is there a problem with that?"

"No," Kevin replied quickly. "But this is a private property dispute. There’s no reason to involve the police."

"Perhaps not for the property dispute," Clara said calmly. "But we have another problem."

Her gaze shifted toward the damaged bakery.

"Your men broke into my bakery, destroyed my belongings, threatened my employees, and tried to demolish the building before the deadline."

Kevin’s jaw tightened.

"I already told you. I have nothing to do with those men."

"Then you won’t mind explaining that to Officer Ethan."

Kevin fell silent.

Behind Clara, Lily leaned toward Gen and whispered, "I think his confidence just packed its bags and left."

Gen covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

Silvia shook her head.

"Lily, this is serious."

"I know. That’s why I’m whispering."

Kevin glared at them before turning back to Clara.

"You’re making a mistake by going against Crownwell Holdings."

Clara’s expression remained calm.

"Perhaps. But I’d rather make my own mistakes than allow someone else to decide my fate."

"You have no idea who you’re challenging."

"Oh, I know exactly who I’m challenging."

Her eyes hardened.

"And that’s why I’m not backing down."

Just then, the sound of approaching vehicles came from the end of the street.

Everyone turned. A police car pulled up near the bakery, followed by another vehicle.

Lily’s eyes widened. "Madam..."

Clara smiled faintly. "They’re here."

Kevin’s face paled. The police officers stepped out, and Ethan emerged from the second vehicle, his expression becoming serious when he saw the destroyed bakery.

His gaze moved from the broken windows to the overturned furniture and finally settled on Kevin.

"Mr. Kevin," Ethan said firmly. "We need to have a conversation."

Kevin swallowed. "Officer, this is all a misunderstanding."

Ethan glanced at the bulldozer. "A misunderstanding?"

Before Ethan could continue, Kevin stepped forward and handed him the documents.

"Officer, perhaps you should look at these first," he said calmly. "Miss Clara doesn’t legally own this property anymore. It has been transferred to Crownwell Holdings, and as the company’s legal representative, I have authorization to clear the land for an upcoming project."

Kevin maintained his professional composure, confident that the documents would put him back in control.

Ethan glanced through the papers before letting out a quiet sigh.

"You may have obtained permission to demolish the property, Mr. Kevin. But that doesn’t explain how you forged the original ownership documents and illegally transferred the land to Crownwell Holdings."

Kevin’s entire body went still.

"What...?"

Ethan folded the papers and looked directly at him.

"We have sufficient evidence against you, Mr. Kevin. There’s already a warrant for your arrest on charges of forging legal documents and using your position to unlawfully acquire properties from innocent landowners."

Kevin’s face drained of color.

"That’s impossible. You can’t—"

"I’m afraid we can," Ethan interrupted calmly.

Two officers immediately stepped forward.

Kevin instinctively took a step back.

"Wait! You’ve got this wrong. These documents are legitimate!"

Ethan gave him a knowing look.

"Then you’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove that in court."

The officers grabbed Kevin’s arms and placed him under arrest.

Lily stared at the scene in disbelief.

"Wow..."

Silvia nodded. "Looks like Madam really did come prepared."

Gen smiled proudly. "I knew she had a plan."

"Wait! You can’t arrest me like this!"

Kevin’s desperate protest caught everyone’s attention.

"I need to speak to my boss. There’s clearly been a misunderstanding!" he insisted, struggling against the officers holding his arms.

Before they could stop him, Kevin pulled away and hurriedly took out his phone.

He immediately dialed Blake Quinn, the owner of Crownwell Holdings.

The moment the call connected, Kevin spoke frantically.

"Boss! You need to help me! The police are trying to arrest me!"

He was certain that one phone call would be enough to resolve everything.

After all, Blake had always protected him.

For years, the two had worked together, illegally acquiring properties and destroying the livelihoods of innocent landowners. Whenever trouble arose, Blake used his influence to make it disappear.

Kevin had never faced any consequences.

And he firmly believed this time would be no different.

However, the response he received was nothing like he expected.

"YOU IDIOT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU’VE DONE?"

Kevin froze.

"B-Boss?"

"You’ve dragged the entire company into this mess!" Blake roared from the other end.

Kevin’s brows furrowed in confusion.

"Boss, what are you talking about? I followed your instructions! You said—"

"SHUT UP!"

Kevin immediately fell silent.

"Do you have any idea whose property you tried to demolish?"

"It’s just Clara Hayes’s bakery. I don’t understand—"

"That’s exactly your problem! You don’t understand anything!"

Kevin swallowed nervously.

"Boss, please. Just make a few calls like you always do. I’m sure—"

"Are you out of your mind?" Blake snapped. "You’ve messed with the wrong people this time, Kevin!"

Kevin’s face slowly drained of color.

"What do you mean?"

Blake’s next words shattered his remaining confidence.

"There’s nothing I can do to help you. You’re on your own."

"Boss, wait—"

The call disconnected.

Kevin stared at his phone in disbelief.

For the first time, the man who had always escaped punishment realized that his powerful connections might no longer be enough to save him.