Chapter 1331: A Full of Deamd
One hour later, at the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse.
Sebastian sat on the second floor by the window, sipping tea and watching the bustling crowd on the street.
There were a dozen or so tables occupied in the teahouse, but compared to its usual noisy atmosphere, today it felt somewhat dull.
All the guests were immersed in their tea, with no exchange of words.
“Mr. Sebastian, that young man has arrived.”
At this moment, Lenny, standing behind, suddenly pointed downward.
Sebastian lowered his head and saw Dustin strolling along with the crowd, appearing carefree and relaxed, showing no signs of pressure.
“Humph! He actually dares to venture alone? It seems like a new calf isn’t afraid of the tiger!” Sebastian sneered.
He then picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
“Thud, thud, thud…”
Soon, a muffled sound of footsteps approached.
Dustin walked up the stairs unimpeded and, after scanning the area, saw Sebastian and the others. He directly sat down at the table opposite them.
“Sebastian Stratford, we meet again.”
Dustin smiled and poured himself a cup of tea.
“Mr. Rhys, I heard from Lenny that you want to discuss business with me. I’m curious about what you want to talk about?” Sebastian smiled politely.
As the butler of the Stratford family, he was not a simple-minded person. There were some matters that, if they could be resolved with money, would not necessarily lead to conflict.
“Of course, it’s about the formula for the Jade Dew Ointment,” Dustin cut to the chase.
“Oh?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow and smiled. “It seems that Mr. Rhys has thought it through. Please, tell me, how much money are you asking for? Name your price, as long as it’s not too outrageous, I’ll do my best to accommodate.”
“I don’t want money. I just want you to follow the prescription and procure some herbs for me.”
Dustin said as he took out a prescription and placed it on the table, then pushed it over.
The prescription listed various precious medicinal herbs, totaling over twenty different types, including Ice Heart Lotus, Dragon’s Blood Ginseng, and Golden Marrow Jade.
The reason for listing so many was to divert attention.
The Stratford family is a renowned medical clan with a century of heritage, extensive connections, and influence throughout the country. They are not to be compared with a small establishment like the Healwell Medical Center.
If we talk about the entire southern city, no one can gather the three main ingredients for the Bone Cleansing Pill as quickly as the Stratford family.
This is also the primary reason for Dustin to negotiate with them.
“Let me see which herbs are listed,” Sebastian picked up the prescription and examined it closely. His smile instantly froze, and his brow furrowed, “Mr. Rhys, most of these herbs on your list are top-grade spiritual herbs, and some are even supreme-grade spiritual herbs. Each plant is worth a fortune. Are you asking me to gather them all? Isn’t that asking the impossible?”
“Mr. Sebastian, your Stratford family has a century-long legacy and unparalleled influence in the field of medicine. These herbs should not be a problem for you, right?” Dustin raised his teacup and took a sip, the sweet aroma filling the air.
Delicious tea!
“Not a problem?” Sebastian’s eye twitched as he tried to control his anger. “Mr. Rhys, your appetite is simply too grand. The value of these herbs far exceeds that of the Jade Dew Ointment formula. I cannot meet your demands.”
With that, he pushed the prescription back.
Damn it!
Gathering these herbs would likely deplete half of the Stratford family’s wealth.
This guy was truly asking for the moon.
“Mr. Sebastian, the Jade Dew Ointment formula is a priceless treasure passed down in my family. Swapping it for a few herbs, I believe, is more than fair,” Dustin said.
“A few herbs? These are clearly two to three dozen spiritual herbs!” Sebastian’s tone involuntarily rose.
If they were ordinary herbs, it wouldn’t be a problem no matter how many there were. Unfortunately, these were spiritual herbs, and not just any, but top-grade and supreme-grade spiritual herbs.
Even one of them would be enough to make an ordinary person wealthy for a lifetime.
Chapter 1332: A Sudden Appearance
“Mr. Sebastian, I can see you’re genuinely interested. How about this, I’ll take a bit of a loss and round it down for you. I’ll only need the first twenty spiritual herbs, deal?” Dustin put on an expression as if it pained him.
“Twenty herbs still won’t work!” Sebastian said with a straight face.
“Then tell me, how many can you give me?” Dustin tried to compromise.
“One herb,” Song Zhong raised one finger, “I can only give you one!”
“One herb?” Dustin frowned, “Sebastian, are you joking with me? Is this how you negotiate? Bargaining isn’t done this way, is it?”
“Your Jade Dew Ointment formula is only worth one top-grade spiritual herb, and that’s my bottom line,” Sebastian said with impatience creeping into his voice.
If Dustin had only asked for some money, he could have made a decision. But now, the other party was speaking recklessly, calling out sky-high prices, treating him like a sucker.
“If Mr. Sebastian isn’t interested, then forget it. I believe someone else will be interested,” Dustin said and was ready to leave.
“Hold on!”
Sebastian slammed the table suddenly and shouted, “Kid! Did I say you could leave?”
“What? Does Mr. Sebastian want to invite me for tea?” Dustin turned around and asked.
“To hell with tea!”
Sebastian was furious. He lifted his teacup and with a “bang,” he slammed it heavily onto the ground.
The next moment, everyone on the floor, both upstairs and downstairs, sprang into action.
Those who had pretended to be sipping tea earlier suddenly pulled out weapons from under their tables, and then they swarmed towards Dustin.
In a matter of seconds, Dustin was completely surrounded.
About fifty or sixty people blocked the exit.
“Kid! You come and go as you please? What do you take me for?” Sebastian stood up abruptly, finally dropping his facade and said menacingly, “Now you have only two choices: either hand over the Jade Dew Ointment formula honestly, or I’ll beat you half to death and then force you to hand it over!”
“Mr. Sebastian, if a deal can’t be reached, there’s still a sense of honor in business. If negotiations fail, resorting to violence makes you no different from a robber,” Dustin calmly looked around at the crowd.
“Is that so? Well, I’d like to see for myself how capable your people from the Stratford family are,” Dustin sneered.
“Mr. Sebastian, this guy can fight pretty well, be careful,” Lenny timely reminded.
“So what if he can fight? I have fifty or sixty experts here, each one could drown him in a puddle of piss!” Sebastian glared, “What the hell are you standing around for? Attack!”
“Stop!”
Just as the Stratford family’s thugs were about to rush forward, a shrill shout suddenly echoed in the hallway.
Immediately afterward, a beautiful and tall girl, accompanied by two burly bodyguards, aggressively charged into the crowd.
Anyone blocking her path was kicked aside by the girl.
“Who dares…,” Sebastian was about to yell when he saw the girl’s appearance. He was instantly frightened, and he hurriedly put on a welcoming smile, approaching her eagerly, “Isn’t this Miss Isabela? What brings you here?”
“Smack!”
The girl didn’t waste any words; she slapped Sebastian across the face and scolded, “Hey! You lackey! You dare to touch my friend? Have you had enough of living?”
“What?” Sebastian was dumbfounded, clutching his burning cheek, feeling bewildered, “Friend?”
“Little Divine Doctor, we meet again.”
After dealing with the thugs, the girl turned to Dustin, smiled sweetly, and added a touch of playfulness.
“It’s you?” Dustin quickly recognized her.
The girl was none other than Isabela, the daughter of the Torby family, whom he had rescued yesterday.
Chapter 1333: Ask for A Favor
“Little Divine Doctor, how do you feel? Surprised, aren’t you?” Isabela smiled and said, “I just saw you on the street, and you seemed familiar. I didn’t expect it to be you. We parted so hurriedly last time, I didn’t have a chance to thank you. This time, I insist on treating you to a meal.”
“Miss Isabela, there’s no need to be so polite. It’s just a small favor,” Dustin nodded slightly.
“Miss Isabela, do you… know this guy?” Sebastian cautiously asked.
“Smack!”
Isabela raised her hand and delivered another slap, scolding, “Nonsense! This Little Divine Doctor is my lifesaver. You dare to lay a hand on him? Believe me, I’ll castrate you!”
“Lifesaver?”
Hearing this, Sebastian trembled all over, and his legs went weak.
He thought Dustin was just an unknown youngster, at most proficient in some medical skills and martial arts. He didn’t expect that there would be a wealthy and influential family like the Torbys backing him.
He had made a big mistake.
“What are you standing around for? Quickly apologize to Little Divine Doctor, or I’ll make sure you regret it!” Isabela glared.
“Thud!”
Sebastian didn’t hesitate; he dropped to his knees in front of Dustin, with a forced smile, he said, “I… I’m sorry. It was my mistake earlier. I hope Mr. Rhys can forgive my momentary confusion. Please spare me this time.”
“Alright, alright. Just go with your people!” Isabela was quite displeased.
“Yes, yes, I’ll leave right away.”
Sebastian nodded and bowed repeatedly, then hurriedly retreated with his group.
Even though both families were prestigious, the Torby family’s influence still overshadowed the Stratford family’s. Even their young master showed deference to this headstrong young lady, so an external affairs butler like him was even more inconsequential.
“Stop!”
When he reached the hallway, he was halted by Isabela’s shrill command, “When you get back, tell that unfaithful man surnamed Stratford that one day, he will regret this!”
Sebastian forced a smile, repeatedly nodded, and then fled with his entourage..
“Little Divine Doctor, how are you? You didn’t get hurt, did you?” Isabela turned back, her smile as radiant as ever.
“I’m fine, thanks to Miss Isabela’s timely arrival,” Dustin smiled.
“Well, they say we’re destined to meet. Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal!” Isabela grabbed Dustin and was about to head downstairs.
“Miss Isabela, I won’t eat, but there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with,” Dustin suddenly said.
“Oh? What is it?” Isabela was curious.
“I’ve heard that the Torby family has a Dragon’s Blood Ginseng. I wonder if it’s true or not?” Dustin inquired.
“It seems like there’s some truth to that,” Isabela nodded thoughtfully.
“To be honest, I need that Dragon’s Blood Ginseng to save a life. If possible, I’d like to buy it at a high price,” Dustin got straight to the point.
He had been contemplating how to acquire the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng from the Torby family through the right channels. He didn’t expect an opportunity to come so quickly.
“Hey, it’s just a herb, why bother with money? I’ll give it to you directly!” Isabela was quite generous.
“Miss Isabela, the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng is extremely precious. I can’t accept it for free. Buying it with money would be more appropriate,” Dustin was not greedy.
“Look at you, why are you saying that? You saved my life, and I’m giving you a herb. What’s the big deal? Come on, come back with me, and I’ll give it to you right away!” Isabela insisted.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Dustin didn’t want to refuse.
About half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the Torby family’s gate.
After getting out of the car, Dustin followed Isabela into the Torby family’s estate.
The Torby family’s mansion was grand and luxurious. In the coveted area of South City in Stonia, the entire family estate was built like a palace, magnificent and grand.
For those unfamiliar with it, it was easy to get lost.
Dustin and Isabela walked into the garden, where they saw a somewhat portly middle-aged man directing a group of servants, carefully pruning flowers and plants.
“Mr. Benjamin, come over here.”
Isabela waved at the middle-aged man.
Chapter 1334: Meet With Isabela Mother
“Miss, do you have any orders?” The Torby family Butler rushed over, wearing a fawning smile.
“I’m asking you, do we have a Dragon’s Blood Ginseng in our family?” Isabela inquired.
“Yes, we do. It’s currently stored in the treasury,” the Butler Benjamin truthfully replied.
“That’s good. Fetch it for me immediately,” Isabela instructed.
“Miss, what do you need this item for?” The Butler cautiously asked.
“Why do you care? I have my reasons!” Isabela was getting impatient.
“Miss, to be honest, this item is part of the old master’s collection. It shouldn’t be used without his permission,” Benjamin explained, bowing his head.
“You go and get it for me first, and I’ll talk to Grandfather afterward,” Isabela said.
“This… it seems a bit irregular,” Benjamin hesitated.
“Hey! You won’t even listen to my words?” Isabela glared and kicked the butler in the butt.
“Please wait, Miss.”
With no other choice, Benjamin had to quickly leave.
“Little Divine Doctor, please have a seat and enjoy some tea while the item arrives,” Isabela smiled and led Dustin to a nearby pavilion, where they started to have tea and snacks.
About ten minutes later, the butler returned, but this time he was accompanied by someone else.
It was a woman in her thirties.
She was dressed in a red qipao, her features were delicate, her figure was alluring and full, and her long black hair was elegantly arranged behind her head, giving her a dignified and noble appearance.
As she moved gracefully, her two long white legs, like white lotus flowers, peeked out from the qipao’s slit, revealing a hint of allure.
She truly exuded the charm of a mature woman.
“Isabela.”
A cold voice slowly emanated from the lips of the beautiful woman.
Isabela, who was enjoying her snacks, shivered all over and turned stiffly, wearing a somewhat guilty expression. “Mom… Why are you here?”
“If I didn’t come, wouldn’t you have turned the house upside down?” Sophia Torby said calmly.
“How could that be? I’ve always been very obedient, you know?” Isabela forced a smile.
She wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone except her mother. Even though her mother had never scolded or punished her, every time she saw her, Isabela inexplicably felt nervous.
“Just now, I heard Benjamin say that you need Dragon’s Blood Ginseng. What are you planning to do?” Sophia Torby asked again.
“N-nothing.”
Isabela glared fiercely at the butler, then chuckled nervously. “A friend of mine needs Dragon’s Blood Ginseng to save someone life, so I wanted to help.”
She extended her hand towards Dustin, who was standing nearby. “This is my friend, the young divine doctor. Last time, I was almost drowned, and he saved me in the nick of time, pulling me back from the brink of death.”
“Is that so?” Sophia turned her gaze towards Dustin. While she appeared calm, there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes. It was the gaze of someone in a higher position observing someone in a lower position.
“I am Dustin Rhys. I greet you, Auntie,” Dustin stood up and greeted her with neither arrogance nor subservience.
“You need the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng?” Sophia’s tone remained calm.
“Yes, it’s for me,” Dustin nodded.
“You saved my daughter’s life, and I’m grateful for that,” Sophia said, casting a brief glance at the butler, before calmly stating, “Benjamin, bring the item.”
“Yes,” the butler replied and left once again.
“Thank you, Mom!”
Isabela’s face lit up, thinking that everything was settled.
However, when the steward returned with the item, Isabela’s smile froze, and even Dustin couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
Chapter 1335: A New Offer
The item that the butler brought was a box of gold bars. In the sunlight, they shimmered and sparkled, creating a visually stunning display that was more captivating than mere currency.
“Dustin, this is a token of appreciation from my Torby family, also a reward for saving Isabela,” Sophia said calmly as she glanced at the gold bars.
“Mom, what do you mean by this?” Isabela pouted, showing some dissatisfaction.
“Our Torby family never owes anyone favors. Dustin saved you, and I am rewarding him generously. It’s only fair,” Sophia replied indifferently.
“Auntie, I didn’t save her for money,” Dustin shook his head.
“What? Do you find it insufficient?” Sophia raised an eyebrow and gestured. “Benjamin, bring another box.”
“Yes.”
The butler acknowledged and was about to leave again.
“Mom!”
Isabela couldn’t hold back any longer. “Not everything can be measured with money. The young divine doctor needs Dragon’s Blood Ginseng, a life-saving spiritual medicine, not a few gold bars!”
“Dragon’s Blood Ginseng?” Sophia said with an expressionless face. “Do you know that it’s your grandfather’s treasure? A priceless item?”
“What do you mean by priceless? It’s just a spiritual medicine!” Isabela retorted. “Moreover, the young divine doctor saved my life. Are you saying that in your eyes, my life is worth less than a single Dragon’s Blood Ginseng?”
“Your life is undoubtedly valuable, but the contribution he has made doesn’t come close to warranting a Dragon’s Blood Ginseng,” Sophia said in a calm tone. “Doctors save lives to earn money, and his treatment of you deserves compensation, but that’s all there is to it. We shouldn’t give away all our precious possessions just because he saved you. Business is business, and it should not be elevated to a matter of sentiment. Do you understand?”
“Mom, you… you lack compassion!” Isabela was getting angry.
She hadn’t expected her mother to treat her life as a business transaction.
“Auntie makes a reasonable point,” Dustin suddenly spoke up. “However, I urgently need Dragon’s Blood Ginseng. I hope Auntie can consider it. Of course, I won’t take it for free. I can purchase it with money or offer goods in exchange. I hope Auntie can accommodate this request.”
“You’re a smart person,” Sophia nodded. “You can have the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng, but you must provide something of equivalent value.”
“I wonder, Auntie, what do you need in exchange?” Dustin inquired.
“I heard that you can produce a medicine called Jade Dew Ointment, and its effects are quite miraculous, capable of rapidly healing even severely infected wounds. Is this true?” Sophia asked.
Since her daughter’s ordeal, she had investigated various people and matters, including Dustin, which had led to an unexpected discovery regarding the Jade Dew Ointment.
“As a physician, you’re also knowledgeable in pharmacology. With a few modifications, you could reduce the side effects, right?” Sophia’s gaze carried a hint of deeper meaning.
“I’m afraid that if we reduce the side effects, the efficacy of the medicine will be significantly compromised,” Dustin replied, not hiding the truth.
Facing Sophia, a shrewd and perceptive woman, he couldn’t afford to be dishonest.
Of course, the most crucial factor was that he had a favor to ask.
He had no choice but to be straightforward.
“If we reduce the side effects, what percentage of the medicine’s efficacy would remain?” Sophia inquired again.
“Probably around thirty percent,” Dustin answered honestly.
“Thirty percent? That should be sufficient,” Sophia nodded. “I’m quite interested in your Jade Dew Ointment. If you provide me with the modified formula, I’ll gift you the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng. How does that sound?”
“Auntie, this is a formula passed down through my family, and I can’t sell it,” Dustin shook his head.
“Everything has its corresponding value. Besides, this isn’t a sale; it’s a trade. Dragon’s Blood Ginseng is your precious lifesaving item. I believe your ancestors wouldn’t blame you,” Sophia replied with indifference.
“Well…” Dustin feigned hesitation, taking a few seconds before appearing to make up his mind. He said, “Auntie, I can provide you with the Jade Dew Ointment formula, but one Dragon’s Blood Ginseng isn’t nearly enough. Unless you can offer me two more spiritual herbs.”
“What else do you need?” Sophia squinted slightly.
Chapter 1336: A Trade
“Ice Heart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade,” Dustin named the medicinal herbs.
With the influence of the Torby family, slightly stronger than that of the Stratford family, they should be able to locate these two spiritual herbs if they were willing to put in the effort.
“Young man, you have quite the appetite. Both of these herbs are priceless treasures. You’re asking for three extraordinary spiritual herbs in exchange for a single formula. Isn’t that a bit too greedy?” Sophia frowned slightly, displaying her discontent.
“Auntie, I dare not ask for more, but I can assure you that my modified Jade Dew Ointment formula is worth every bit of it. The profits it will bring to the Torby family will far exceed the value of three spiritual herbs,” Dustin assured.
“Oh, really?” Sophia scrutinized Dustin closely, trying to discern something from his face.
No evasion, no signs of guilt, only calmness.
At least it showed that the person before her wasn’t lying.
“Alright, I’ll trust you this time.”
After contemplating for a few seconds, Sophia finally nodded. “Leave the Jade Dew Ointment formula behind, take the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng with you, and give me some time to procure the other two spiritual herbs. I’ll have someone deliver them to you later. How does that sound?”
“One word is enough!” Dustin readily agreed.
“Benjamin, bring the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng over and have someone fetch paper and pen,” Sophia ordered.
“Yes,” the butler acknowledged with a nod, then left.
Before long, he returned, carrying a jade box and placing it carefully on the table in the pavilion. He also brought paper and pen, setting them beside the jade box.
Dustin approached the jade box, opened it, and found a blood-red ginseng inside. The ginseng was the size of a palm, with tightly packed roots and fine wrinkles, appearing like a ball of hair spread out.
With just a slight inhalation, a unique fragrance could be detected.
“It truly is a precious item!” Dustin’s eyes lit up.
With his perception, he could distinctly sense the rich spiritual energy contained within this Dragon’s Blood Ginseng.
“The Dragon’s Blood Ginseng is here; now, write down the formula,” Sophia reminded.
Dustin nodded without further ado. He didn’t waste time and began to write down the modified Jade Dew Ointment formula, word by word.
Despite the significant reduction in effectiveness after the modification, it still possessed miraculous properties when treating external injuries, surpassing the healing effects of the Golden Wound Medicine from the Healwell Clinic.
Once it was available, it would undoubtedly bring the Torby family substantial profits.
“Auntie, this is the prescription. Please review it,” Dustin handed over the written formula.
“Hmm… not bad,” Sophia examined it carefully and nodded in satisfaction.
With her keen eyesight, she couldn’t spot any issues for now. Of course, she was confident that he wouldn’t dare to deceive the Torby family.
“Auntie, I urgently need two more spiritual herbs to save a life. I hope you can put in extra effort,” Dustin bowed slightly.
“No problem. I’ll notify you immediately once there’s any information,” Sophia replied calmly.
“Thank you, Auntie,” Dustin sighed in relief.
With the full support of the Torby family, he believed it wouldn’t take long to find the whereabouts of the Ice Heart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade.
“Alright, the transaction is complete, everyone is happy. Little physician, let’s go!” Isabela didn’t want to linger any longer. She bid farewell and led Dustin away.
She was somewhat displeased with her mother’s behavior.
“Madam, the Ice Heart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade are not ordinary items. Should I contact the Stratford family to use their connections?” the butler cautiously suggested.
“No need, I didn’t plan to give them away anyway,” Sophia replied calmly.
“Huh?” The butler was momentarily confused, struggling to comprehend.
Was she changing her mind?
“A nobody like him has no right to demand such a high price in front of me,” Sophia’s eyes turned colder, her tone still calm. “Benjamin, find some experts and retrieve the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng from him. We can’t let outsiders benefit from this treasure.”
“Understood,” the butler said with a somewhat stunned expression.
This seemed to be not just a change of mind, but a scheme to take advantage of the situation. It seemed that anyone trying to take advantage of the Torby family’s generosity would face harsh consequences.
Chapter 1337: Isabela in Anger
“Miracle Doctor, I’m sorry,” Isabela said apologetically as they stood at the entrance of the Torby family mansion. “Originally, I should have given you this Dragon’s Blood Ginseng, but I didn’t expect my mother to show up and ruin my plan.”
“You don’t need to blame yourself, Miss Isabela. If it weren’t for your help, I wouldn’t have obtained the Dragon’s Blood Ginseng, and I wouldn’t have been able to strike a deal with your mother. This outcome is already the best for me,” Dustin smiled.
To exchange a torn prescription for three high-quality spiritual herbs was definitely a great deal.
“Do you really think so?” Isabela’s spirits lifted.
“Of course,” Dustin nodded with a smile.
“Hehe, miracle doctor, you really suit my taste. Consider yourself my friend now!” Isabela laughed, showing her two small tiger teeth. “You haven’t eaten, have you? I know a restaurant with excellent food. Let’s go and try it together!”
With that, she dragged Dustin into her car.
“Master, master, there’s a phone call…”
Suddenly, a cellphone rang.
Isabela answered the call, and a deep voice came through.
“Miss, we’ve got results on the investigation you requested. Young Master Owen from the Stratford family did indeed go to a hotel with a female celebrity a few days ago. Based on the surveillance footage, their behavior was intimate, suggesting a certain kind of relationship.”
“Beast!” After hearing the report, Isabela was furious. She nearly smashed her phone. Her pretty face was filled with resentment. “This scum, he keeps talking about reforming himself, but he’s still entangled with that vixen. Does he think I don’t exist? I’ll have to castrate him this time!”
She took out a short knife from somewhere, drew it out with a flash of cold light, and held it with a sharp edge.
“I’m asking you, where is Owen right now?” Isabela yelled at the phone.
At this moment, she had transformed from the sweet girl into a fierce tigress.
“Miss, Young Master Owen is currently at the Imperial City Club for a gathering with friends,” the voice on the other end of the phone replied.
“Driver! Head to the Imperial City Club immediately!” Isabela hung up the phone and shouted at the driver.
The driver didn’t dare to say much. He stepped on the gas and headed straight for their destination.
Isabela gripped the short knife tightly, and her trembling hands were not from anger but from sadness.
Gradually, her anger was replaced by sorrow, and her beautiful eyes turned red with teary mist.
“Miss Isabela, what happened?” Dustin inquired cautiously.
Isabela turned away, wiped her tears, and her voice quivered as she spoke, “Two years ago, my parents arranged a marriage for me, and the groom was Owen Stratford from the Stratford family. Initially, I didn’t agree, but Owen pursued me vigorously, with sweet words and surprise gifts. Gradually, we became a couple.
However, not long ago, I found out that Owen is a scumbag. He frequently cheats on me with other women. I was furious and decided to break up with him. At first, I thought that if he admitted his mistakes and sincerely repented, I would give him another chance.
But instead, he spoke sweetly to my face and went behind my back to meet with that vixen at a hotel. I don’t understand why he treated me like this. What’s wrong with me?”
As she spoke, Isabela choked up.
She had treated him sincerely, but in return, she received betrayal and deceit.
“Miss Isabela, it’s not your fault. Owen is the one who’s blind and doesn’t appreciate your worth. Men like him, it’s wise to let go of them when you can,” Dustin comforted her.
Chapter 1338: A Playboy
Owen Stratford, this playboy, is a typical example of “a leopard can’t change its spots.”
Luckily, Isabela discovered it early, and the two of them are not married yet. Otherwise, they would have regrets.
“I know I should let go, but I can’t accept it!” Isabela, with her two small fangs, said indignantly, “He dares to treat me like this; I can’t let him off easily. I want to make him regret it. I want him to understand that losing me is the biggest loss of his life!”
“How do you plan to do that?” Dustin asked.
“He wants to find other women, right? Then I’ll find other men. I want to make him jealous, make him shine with jealousy!” Isabela sniffed and suddenly fixed her gaze on Dustin. “Little Divine Doctor, from now on, you’re my boyfriend. I want to declare my sovereignty in front of him!”
“What?” Dustin’s face stiffened. “Miss Isabela, are you serious? We’ve just met.”
“What’s wrong with just meeting? Do you think I’m not good enough for you?” Isabela pouted.
“Miss Isabela, I already have a fiancée,” Dustin said helplessly.
He knew very well that the girl in front of him was saying these impulsive words to get revenge at Owen.
“So what if you have a fiancée? You’re not married yet, right?” Isabela grabbed Dustin’s hand and said somewhat stubbornly, “I don’t care. You must agree! At the very least, you have to act with me today and make Owen jealous!”
“I can help you, but let me make it clear beforehand: it’s just acting, don’t take it seriously,” Dustin said with a hint of a headache.
“No problem!” Isabela immediately smiled.
She couldn’t wait to see Owen’s frustrated expression.
At this moment, in the VIP room of the Imperial City Club.
A group of young men and women were gathered, drinking and chatting.
Among them, the leader was none other than Owen, the young master of the Stratford family.
Owen was tall and handsome, dressed meticulously, and his hair was impeccably styled.
From appearances alone, he was indeed a handsome and dashing man.
Beside him, there was also a stunning woman with a hot figure and outstanding looks.
She was wearing a tight red dress, her long, shapely legs covered in black stockings, and her body exuded grace and allure, making her extremely enticing.
“Owen, didn’t you already get engaged? Aren’t you afraid your future wife will be angry when she sees you out with another woman so openly?” a chubby man teased with a smile.
This man’s name was Brinkley Crawford, the eldest son of the Crawford family in the southern city. In this circle, his status was second only to Owen.
“Hah! That old hag? I lost interest in her a long time ago. She has no feminine charm at all. If it weren’t for the family alliance, I wouldn’t even bother with her,” Owen said with a disdainful expression.
“Owen, Isabela is a famous beauty in the southern city. Many men have admired her for a long time. You don’t know how fortunate you are!” Brinkley laughed.
“Do you like her? Then she’s yours, I’m already tired of playing with her,” Owen said, raising his chin.
“Owen, you’re indeed generous. If I get the chance, I’d really like to see what it’s like to be with the Torby family’s heiress,” Brinkley said with a lecherous smile.
Just as the two were talking, there was a loud “bang,” and the door to the VIP room was kicked open by someone.
Chapter 1339: A Romantic Act
When the door opened, everyone in the room was stunned and instinctively turned their gaze toward it.
They saw Isabela, who was fashionable and sweet-looking, walking in with a cold expression on her face.
Behind her, there was Dustin, walking casually.
“Isabela?”
“Miss Torby?”
Upon seeing the newcomers, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly.
Especially Owen, who withdrew his hand from the waist of the woman in the red dress as if he had been shocked by electricity. He immediately stood up and forced a smile, saying, “Isabela, why are you here?”
“Why, you can come, but I can’t?” Isabela first glanced at the woman in the red dress and then fixed her gaze on Owen.
Although she had mentally prepared herself before coming, seeing the intimate behavior of this couple still almost made her lose her temper.
“Of course, you can come, but you should have informed me in advance so I could make some arrangements for you,” Owen said with a smile.
“No need to trouble yourself; I just dropped by casually,” Isabela replied and then glanced at the nervous woman on the sofa. She asked casually, “Who is this beside you? Why does she look unfamiliar to me?”
“Oh? You mean her? She’s Brinkley’s new girlfriend,” Owen said as he gave a signal to Brinkley, who was sitting nearby.
Brinkley was momentarily taken aback but quickly caught on and, with a smile, attempted to smooth things over, “That’s right, that’s right, sister-in-law. Let me introduce her to you. This is my girlfriend, Samara, she’s from the entertainment industry.”
“Hello, sister-in-law,” Samara hurriedly stood up and managed a smile.
She had heard about the temper of the Troby family’s heiress and knew she had to be careful. Provoking such a big figure would definitely lead to trouble.
“Brinkley’s girlfriend? Why is she sitting next to you?” Isabela questioned.
“Oh, I just happen to be a fan of Miss Samara, so I asked her about some things related to movies. We were just having a chat, and then you walked in,” Owen explained with a smile before his expression turned serious. “Isabela, you’re not doubting me, are you? I swear on my honor; I’ve reformed and will never do anything to hurt you. I can swear to that!”
“What you do here has nothing to do with me. I just came for fun,” Isabela said with a cold expression as she sat down on the empty spot on the sofa.
The people around her instinctively moved away a bit. Even a fool could see that Torby Miss’s mood was not good.
“Isabela…”
Owen, with a thick skin, approached and sat next to Isabela. “What’s wrong today? If you’re not in a good mood, how about I accompany you for a stroll?”
“Stay away from me!”
Isabela glared, scaring Owen into not getting too close.
“Humph! I want to go shopping. There are plenty of people who can accompany me. I don’t want to bother you, Young Master Owen.”
Isabela said and then glanced at Dustin, giving him a sweet smile and patting the seat beside her. “Dustin, come, sit here.”
Dustin had no choice but to sit down as she instructed.
On the left was Owen, on the right was Isabela, and the three of them were like a sandwich.
“Isabela, who is this person?” Owen gave Dustin a scrutinizing look, his expression not friendly.
He had just thought Dustin was Isabela’s bodyguard, so he didn’t pay much attention to him. Now it seemed that their relationship might not be so simple.
“Oh, this is Dustin, my male best friend,” Isabela smiled as she introduced.
“Male best friend?”
As soon as he heard this, Owen’s face immediately darkened.
What kind of male best friend? Could it be a friend with benefits?
In this day and age, it’s impossible for there to be pure friendship between a man and a woman in his eyes.
Chapter 1340: Provocation
What irritating Owen the most was that this despicable woman had actually brought her “friend with benefits” in front of him, which was a blatant provocation!
“Isabela, how come I’ve never seen this male best friend of yours before?” Owen took a deep breath and managed to suppress his anger.
“Do I need your permission to make friends?” Isabela replied indifferently. “Besides, I haven’t seen some of your female friends either.”
“Well…” One sentence left Owen speechless.
He finally understood that this woman was deliberately trying to provoke him.
“Sister-in-law, since we rarely get the chance to gather like this, come on, let me propose a toast to you,” Brinkley hastily tried to smooth things over with a smile.
“I don’t drink,” Isabela refused coldly.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. You can have juice. As long as you’re happy, sister-in-law,” Brinkley said with a forced smile, and he quickly ordered a variety of fruit juice drinks from the waiter.
“Dustin, come on, have some juice,” Isabela picked up a red glass of juice and offered it to Dustin, feeding it to him herself, showing a lot of intimacy.
Watching their affectionate gestures, Owen clenched his teeth.
He might indulge in some flirtations outside, but that didn’t mean he could tolerate being humiliated like this. Regardless of the circumstances, Isabela was his fiancée, and for her to publicly display affection with another man in front of him was a direct insult.
“Damn it! Touching my woman? You’re really tired of living!” Owen stared at Dustin with intense hatred, his eyes seeming as if they could devour him.
However, due to Isabela’s presence, he restrained himself from taking action and could only bear with it.
“Just drinking is a bit boring,” Owen suddenly spoke up, seemingly having thought of something. “Brinkley, didn’t you learn some mystical arts from Master Hudson? I’ve heard it’s quite amazing. How about taking this opportunity to give us a demonstration? Spice things up a bit?”
In the past, Brinkley had spent a considerable sum of money to learn some strange and mystical techniques from a master, all for the purpose of impressing women.
For example, hypnosis, controlling people’s actions, or using poison.
In the past, he had encountered a chaste and virtuous woman in a bar who refused to yield. However, after Brinkley’s manipulation, the virtuous woman had turned into a seductress.
Now, he intended to make use of Brinkley’s abilities to make Dustin look bad.
“Owen, what I do is just child’s play, it’s not on a professional level,” Brinkley humbly said.
“No problem, let’s consider it a magic show and let everyone have some fun,” Owen gestured.
“Yes, Brinkley, we’re all interested. We’d like to see it,” several young men and women chimed in.
“Alright, since you’re interested, I’ll give it a try.”
Brinkley quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, “But my performance requires a bit of cooperation from someone to be effective. I wonder who would like to come up and give it a try?”
“As I see it, this gentleman, Mr. Dustin, is just right.”
Owen looked at Dustin and smiled maliciously. “He’s a new friend, so why not give everyone a chance to get to know him?”
“If it requires cooperation, I can do it,” Isabela volunteered.
“Sister-in-law, the mystical arts I’ve learned can’t be used on women,” Brinkley shook his head.
“Mr. Dustin, as a grown man, surely you wouldn’t lack the courage for this, right?” Owen started to provoke.
“Mr. Dustin, don’t worry, I promise there won’t be any danger,” Brinkley said with a smirk.
“Yeah, everyone is in high spirits, so let’s have some fun together. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this opportunity, right?” Many people joined in the teasing.
Their eyes were filled with mockery.
They naturally understood that Owen and Brinkley were planning to play a prank.
“Alright, since everyone is so interested, I’ll join in the fun with you.”
Dustin smiled faintly and then downed the contents of his juice in one gulp.
Ten years had passed, and it seemed that these idle rich kids in Stonia had forgotten the shadow of being controlled by Logan Ryhs.
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